Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-09
WAR SESSION WILL
CONVENE TODAY
General Assembly to Give First
Place to Matters of
Defense.
BOTH HOUSES HOLD CAUCUS
Meetze Is Seated as Democrat.
Devaney Holds His Term Docs
Not Expire Until 1924.
BOTH HOUSES HOLD CAUCUS

What Is believed to be the most i'm
portant session of tho Virginia Cen
erai Assembly since tho War between
thc states open. to-day at noon, when
both branches of the body will perfect
Organization and prepare to receive the
Biennial message of Governor Henry
G. Stuart.
While the session will not strike ita
fnil stride for several days members
arc planning 10 make i, notable for
war work, helpful to the Federal
government IN lis efforts to bring
speedy and lastinS peace 70 tho nation.
Al else will be aubvcrtcd TO this ono
idea, II the wishes cf tho most innucn-
fial members of the body and tho citi.
ship of Virginia arc followed.
National prohibition. woman suffrage
Code rcrisaL appropriations and the
great volume OF other and Lesser issues
Will be dealt with swiftly. but cncctu-
ally. in An effort 70 clear the slate FOR
the all-important work OF war.
Will. NOT ALLOW SMALL
MATTERS TO clog SESSION
Old members OF the Assembly are Of
ono accord. in tho belief that the pres
ont is not a time when little things
should bc allowed 10 clog tho wheels
OF effective government. They expect
10 give little attention TO inconscuucn-
tial local matters. and viii bend every
cfort 10 make this session really help
ful to the people in whose interest they
come
The work o. orSa sanitation viii re-
Gu'rc little time to-da.. The mere
fcrmaiitr of ratifying the action Of
the Democratic caucus Of last nigh,
will bc observed. Then tho Governor
will he notified tina, the Assembly is
ready to receive him. When the read :.
ing Of the Governors message is con-
cludcd both houses will adjourn.
Tomorrow night a join; caucus OF
the senate and House OF Delegates will
he held in the hall of tho House OF
Delegates to nominate Judges TO mi
vacancies in the various courts Until
yesterday II was believed that 1t would
he necessary 10 fill vacancy in tho
Hopewcli Corporation Court. it being
generally understood tina, tho term
Of Judge w. q. Dcvancy would
expire February |, and tina, he WAS
candidate 10 succeed himself
HOLDS THAT his TERM
RUNS UNTIL 1924
Devancy takes tho position that his
term docs no; expire until july.
1924 lie stated yesterday that his
term began i'll July. 1916. and that,
since tho Constitution gives him An
cigh,-year term. i; vii! not be ncccs-
sary for him to be a candidate at this
session.
Judge pevancy himself believed un.
til yesterday that his term would cx.
fire in February. lie had soiici; cd
the support OF his friends III his can
didacy to succeed himself. Now he is
notifying his supporters that he will
not need their aid in this direction 70,
six more years.
Last nights caucus in the House OF
Delegates nominated Harry II. Hous-
ton, of Elizabeth City. Speaker OF the
House; John ". Williams OF Giles.
chief clerk; j. VI. Johnson. Of Rock
bridge. sergeat-at-arms; Cotonc! S. NJ.
Newhouse, OF Cu!peper. first door
keeper: and G. 4. Truslow. OF STAFF
ford. second doorkeeper Each sue
ceeds himself. The position OF second
doorkeeper furnished the only contest
that being between the nominee and
Ihonlas Brown. of Wcstmoreland The
vote was o. TO L."
SPIRITED CONTROVERSY
OVER SEATING MEE"rZE
y spirited controversy was injected
into the session Immediately following
Tol! call. Christopher J. Mcctze, Dele
gate from Prince William. was not in
ciuded among the Democrats on the
ron call. 1t developed that he had
been elected by a majority of two over
Mf. Sinclair the alleged Democratic
nominee. Mr.. Meetzc was accused OF
having run independently Wilbur c.
nan, Delegate from Loudoun. charged
that he had not come TO the House of
Delegates as a Democrat. He had let
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