Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1918-02-08
LEGISLATURE PASSES IMPOR-
TANT MEASURES.

Richmond, Feb. 5.-The revised
code was adopted by the House of
Delegates today by vote of GO To
20, after an hours debate OH amend
ments which were rejected. This, the
rejection by the Senate of the bill
to increase the salary of the State
Health officer to $4,000, passage by
the Senate of the point resolution to
amend the constitution to permit the
issuance of State bonds for road work
and the passage by the House of the
bill to authorize cities and counties
to pay monthly allowances to indi-
! gent widowed mothers for the sup
port of children, constituted the i'm
portant work of the session. Many
other bills, all of minor importance,
went through the final reading in
both houses, rounding out one of the
most fruitful days of the term.
The most important of the propos-
ed amendments to the revisal was
that suggested by Delegate John w.
Stephenson designed to allow rail-
roads to assess counties or cities for
half of the ums expended in work at
grade crossings.
I The prccnt code is practically to
that effect.
The revisal says the work shall be
, done according to plans made by the
State Corporation Commission, and
that the commission shall assess rail-
roads and cities or counties equally.
Most of the members opposed any
change in the revisal at it was sub
mitted by the revisers. They express
ed the belief that to allow this amend
ment would be to let own the bars
to other amendments. 1t was defeat
ed. If the rcvisal is adopted by the
Senate, it will become effective De-
cembcr 81, 1919.
The bill to increase the salary of
the health officer, who is now paid
for to twelve against. Senator Can
non. strong advocate for its passage,
changed his vote after the roll call
and moved to reconsider. The motion
to reconsider is still pending.
The bond issue resolution is part
of the legislation recommended by
the report of the highway system
commission All of it's companion
measures have become law and were
signed by the Governor Stuart on
the last day of his incumbency. 1t is
designed to permit the issuance of
$20,000,000 in bonds from which the
highway system is to be constructed
and State aid given county road work.
Pension Bill Passes.
The mothprS non sion bill DreSent-
ed by Delegate Cherry, went through
without debate. 1t is the first move
by Virginia to begin the pensioning
of INDECENT mothers, legislation that
has attracted wide attention in other
States.
A bill designed to prevent killing
of wild game for a period of two or
more years will probably be intro
duced in the House this week. Re-
ports coming to members say that
rigoruos weather has resulted in the
death Of thousands of birds and other
game. Fear is expressed that game
will be annihilated in Virginia unless
the legislature takes steps to protect
it.
Issues First Pardon.
Governor Davis issued his first par
don today. 1t was to William R.
Bowman, city sergeant of Harris |
sonburg. convicted February 1 of hav-
ing received two quarts of whiskey
within one month. Bowman was SEN
fenced to thirty days in Jail and fined
$50. He had served none of his SEN
ence, but must pay the fine and the
cost. The pardon was granted on the
recommendation of the trial and the
, prosecuting attorney, and with the
consent of Commissioner of prohibit
| ton Peters, whose advice was asked
by the governor.
The governor announces that all re-
quests for pardons by violators of
| the prohibition laws will be held up
until the commissioner of prohibition
has been given an opportunity to eX-
press hise views.