The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-10
War Session of Vir'inia AS
seobly Takes Up Probl-ms
OF Vast I'm 5ortance
senate III PIP Offers
RESI- -UiI0N TO kAiFY
TH1 DR. AMENDM. INT
Governor Stuart Favors Plan
in Annual Message-House
. gln.z 8 Aztec F.o ID Of
o. atory

The biennial session Of the general
assembly of Virginia swung into ac-
ton yesterday at noon for what prom
ises to be the most momentous ses-
sion since the days of the war between
the states.
The war with Germany was the
dominant thought in the minds of
senators and delegates who gathered
to take up and solve the great prob
lens which confront the people OF
Virginia in these momentous days.
and the war barely overshadows in
Importance the great questions OF edu-
cation and internal Improvement,
which must be dealt with wisely and
well II the Old Dominion liz to realize
the full fruits of victory In years to
follow the return OF peace
The governors message deal seri-
ousiy with the particular issues raised
by the war. advising an appropriation
for the state council of defense and
the creation of legal status for such
an organization.
Senator Mapp, in the upper house
and Delegate Dodson. in the lower
house, introduced identical bills mod
eled after the Maryland statute In
tended to compel all able bodied men
between the ages of eighteen and fifty
years 70 30 to work unless usefully
y ernpa0y 3d. The rights OF working
men, In case of disputes between their
organization and their employers. are
fully safeguarded. and chances for
the passage of the measure are consid-
cred excellent
Senator Buchanan introduced a bill
providing for a uniform system of ac-
counting in the cities and counties and
periodical inspection OF these books
by state accountant
The long agitation for election in
stead of appointment OF the men,
bers of the state corporation commits
sion was brought up In a bill intro
duced by Senator Gum, providing for
the election of these officials.
Mississippi Gives Surprise.
To the surprise of prohibition Lead
ers in both houses, The Virginian
printed yesterday morning a report
that the legislature OF Mississippi,
which met Tuesday. had Immediately
ratified the prohibition amendment OF
the federal constitution recently sub
mitted by congress. Senator Mapp
had prepared for introduction In the
senate joint resolution providing for
1 the ratification and It had been hoped
that Virginia might be the first of
the states to endorse this change In
/ the nations fundamental law. Ken
lucky was regarded as rf,e most seri-
/ Gus rival for premier honors.
|, Tn eaction of Mississippi, however,
on second thought, was not altogether
dispieasing to those who had hoped
to make Virginia first. That M.sssss
\ ippt, the home state OF Jefferson
Davis always regarded as one of tn,
\ firmest bulwarks OF the states rights.
should be the first to ratify the amend
ment which has been assatled by ths
liquor interest as an attack upon
states rights, was considered con-
4 elusive and unanswerabie argument
on behalf of the amendment Tho
states rights plea IS not expected TO
count for much In the considerations
of the measure by the legislature.
II Mapp Offers Resolution.
Immediately following the reading
|kof Governor Stuart's message, In
which without using many words he
had clearly expressed himself in favor
of the prohibition, senator Mapp in
troduced his resolution In the senate.
|, Under the circumstances. he explain
Il al tha, he would NOT ask for Inn
1 mediate action as he had intended,
nut gave note that he would cali
he measure up for consideration to-
day.
II Oratory In the ''use.
The senate did not require reor-
gari7ation due to the holding over
OF the old officers but In The house or
dcierates the election of officers from
rn.bar down IN second doorkeeper
opened the food notes OF oratory and
for nearly two hours the spellbtnd-
crs had field dav. INTERRUPTED only
by occasional roll calls, All OF the
elections we're unanimous the Deno~
cratic caucus slate going through
without protest from ANYBODY. TIE
minority members Wed with those 81
the majority in seconasnF the norli-
nations of Harry Fl, Houston for
sneaker and John w. Williams ~
clerk.
After Mr. Houston's election he In
du.Eed in brief address in which
he expressed the hone that this sss-
sion of the general assembly would
be war assembly and a good roads
assembly He earnestly urEet thai
the ed y sfonal interests of the state
he we'll supported as Virginia canAat
AFFORD to derrlve her fat.re cisizenf
81 any advantage which she ran give
thers now In preparation for ths
duties OF citizenship Mr. Williams
who was elected clerk has already
served twenty years In that capactkyss
Mr. Johr Fl, John sol. a vetefAlf 0f
the War Between the States WIN
twenty-five years OF services a. ee4@
gesrt at arms. was promptly and -
Enthusiastically re-olectsd. Col