The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-10

Legislature desired TO have the Old
Dominion the first state to take the
step 20 rid the country OF liquor.
Constitutional Convention.
Senator strobe. OF Amherst, present
ed jo!ns resolution looking to sub
hitting TO the people Of the state the
question OF holding constitutional
, convention. The resolution II along
the lines set down IN the constitution.
and Il directs that the Will OF tho
peopie be registered at the polls this
year. leaving the succeeding legtsla :
tnrc free to provide the matter OF
mem bershlp. the bass OF representa-
iton and the tIfaA Tor holding the cleo
don to choose delegates thereto, The
resolution went TO the committee on
privileges and elections and viii be re-
ported from that body.
Getting Down TO Business.
Exactly a noon Iaeuteuant-G Cover
nor E.lIrson sounded the gpvsl, coma
mandra silence on the floor, and calf
ing tn mate Of Virginia to order for
what promises TO be an Interesting and
hNtury~2nRking session, The opening
prayer was made by the Rev DR., n.
H. Fitt. editor Of the Religious Herald,
and then ths clerk called J. Douglass
Mitchell. OF King and Queen, to the
desk and adr nistered 10 him the oath
AS a member VI the senate and as sue
cessor TO John r. Saunders, resigned
10 lake ND his duties OF attorney e
crai Election Of caucus nominees
followed, including the changes Iva
committee assignments ordered by the
steering COMMITTEES.
Election OF Commissioners.
senator Gum. Of Henrico, presented
n bill looking to the election Of mem
bery of the state corporation comm IL
sion by the people. The bin provides
that in November, 1919, the people OF
the state must name member Of the
mission who shall serve for six
years, and each two years thereafter
The people SHAH elect a member This
takes away from the governor the
power OF appointing these officers. as
has been the custom since the new
constitution became effective, Tnare
have been numerous attempts In the
past TO make this change, but sufn-
Gent pressure has not been brought
to bear 10 defeat the scheme hereto.
fore That there will be pronounced
alignment Of officers and prominent
men on the proposition there is no
question. II the bill shall be enacted
after February /. IL means that the
new governor. Westmorelaud Davis,
will be called on to sign "a measure
which strips him OF the preroGat.Ve
which every governor has heretofore,
enjoyed.
Examine S.rse Ncronnts,
Senator Buchanan. Of sinyth. pre-
scented an Amendment TO the law pro
v.dlnr for eNhmmaN5a Of the ac-
counts ahG books Of aI state, city
town ana county one not lssH than
once every two years. the eertlficatior
Of the result Of. such accounting 10
the attorneys for the commonwealth
in the counties and cities when the
affairs of those municipalities are com
.eraed. and tn Tho auditor when stAte
uuds are involved The counties and
citieH are to pay the expenses u the
examiner. The same 20 be paid TO the
state To reimburse her for the ser
Wees OF "a state officer.
After the SIackcrS.
Senator Mapp presented his bill re
CURING every man la the state who
IL able 20 perform physical labor TO
register with the clerk az the courts
IN their counties or cities. tho age limit
being eighteen to fifty years They
are. under the terms OF the bill. to
engage In some profitable employment
either for the city. county or state for
AT least six months each year, and il
they fail SO to do they must pay u
Ane Of $500 or 90 10 jail for six
months, ifNAhey fan to register it
means 4 fine OF not less than $50 and
, possible prison term. This IN really
war measure and Ia intended to ac-
compllsh two thnE$--reljef for the la
Dor situation and the elimination OF
: the class which consumes much and
nrOUuras Nothing
Under "a resolution the supefinten
dent OF public instruction is directed
TO submit the report OF that depart
mrut 20 the finance committee before
, the end OF the month.
resolution was introduced asking
the appropriation or S3b. 900 to meet
, the expenses OF the penitentiary for
the remainder of the 1scal year,
a bill was presented for the relie
, ofof the Smith-Courtncy company
This IL the claim Of the company fol
: machinery supplied 20 the state fol
one of the lime-grindng plants anC
-, which did not come up TO require
: Inents. as tontended by the state.
An important resolution was tina
=, looking to having the state appropri
- ate Rufficisnt funds for the purpose o
supplying tho pupils In the gramna
:, and primary schools OF the state witt
= school books free of all charge.
senate Biil
The following bills were rendAret
in the senate ana referred;
d NJ Mapp-Resoutio ratiH5ing
. prapoaed amendment 10 the constitu
4 tiun OF the United States Of Am erica
r which was taken up and laid on tn
4 table.
). MIR. Maps. r No. l. A bill pro
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