The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-28
ON CAPITOL HILL

On CAPlIUL HILL
The house by unanimous conAent
took up two important bills out of
order and advanced them to third
reading and engrossment.
They were Delegate Sprouts prison
reform bin and Delegate F1txhughs
automobile bill regulating headlights.
Delegate Sproul explained the reform
features Of his bill which will add ma
tsrially to the efficiency Of the admin
istration OF the states penal institu-
tons and provide for better care for
the prisoners, and is constructive in
effect 10 the end that prisoners may
be reformed and helped to rehabtlitats
themselves As good citizens The pro-
visions Of thu bul have previously been
explained IN The VirEinisn
The committee on general laws re-
ported out senator Cannon's bin cor
recting an omission Of the code ravls-
ers tn regard to the hours Of labor of
women and minors The bill 10 along
the same line as one introduced In the
house by Delegate Boschen.
The general laws committee also re-
ported OUT Senator Gums bill amend
ing the section governing public utili-
ties, by which il is provided that a
hotel corporation when its principal
business is that of hotel. may not be
ciassed as a public utility when sup
plying limited number of clients
with heat and lights from it's temper
airy surplus.
The compensation law as received
from the senate was referred TO the
and reported out by that committee.
The house committee on insurance In
considering amendments TO the code 20
correct changes made by tina revisers
affecting insurance companies. Della
gates Shsckelro-d and Darlington viii
introduce a joint resolution covering
the points involved
There continues to be general dis
cusstnn Of the new code and the pre-
diction Ia made that many amendments
will be necessary at the next session.
The house refused to discharge the
committee on elections from further
consideration of Delegate Il. A. Ander-
cons bill amending the election law by
extending the time in which a qualified
voter. absent from home on election
day, may cast his ballot by mail The
bill was for the benefit OF soldiers, and
was offered as q war emergency meas
ure My wiiIi@ claimed that IL would
interfere with the operation OF thu
primary law On roll call Mr.. Ander-
sons motion to discharge the commit
tee was defeated, Al to -.
Delegates Boschen and Norris made
a hard ight 20 increase the salaries of
the capitol police when the appropria-
tton bill WAS mp bat the steam roller
" "a IN good working order and amend
r1epts in general were considered out
Of order.
petition .isned by Mrs r r.
NiehaslH, president; Mrs James A.
Richardson. secretary; Mrs, A. q.
ousrles treasurer Of the Association
OF Methodist Women for Social Service.
representing 5000 women. urging the
mem oers Of the assembly TO support
the motion picture censorship bill was
presented to the assembly
Chairman brewer was congratulated
by hts fellow members of the house
ing considered and passed the appro-
prlation bili in one day
The state demands the same sacrifice
from public officers that the nation Is
demanding from its patriotic citizens
in private life.' said Delegate Hail.
when asked ny the chairman Of the
appropriation committee II he thought
public officials could live as cheap!y
this year as last.
Delegate Gordon Sook Ais defeat
chesrtuily in thu matter Of preventing
salary increases, and raised a laugh
when he arose to offer HIS anal amend
ment with an omnibus provision linn
itins all salaries by stating that he
presented II as his parting salute to
the eminent reformers OF the house.
Brilliant orators WAS the way
Chairman Brewer referred to Norris
Hunter and other members who were
/ fghting for the increased approprta
ton for good roads.
The house was somewhat ar a loss
to know why Delegate Gordon had
not raised some question about the
appropriation for the comm tssioner OF
prohibition, during the formers &C
tivities in opposition to spendiue
money by way of the appropriation
bill and when asked about It by Dele
gate Norris replied. mo sir. he's not
In this bill. ] understand he rides in
a special car
Delegate Wilbur c. Halls bill ptac.
ing a state tax OF ten dollars on au-
tomobiles. locomotives and other We
hicles whose motive power Is other
than animal power applies TO cities oil
over 5.eoo population Under the ex-
listing law there is a state tax OF Ave
dollars on such vehicles In communi.
ties of less than 5000 population. but
state tax liz paid by such owners in
cities OF over 5000 population.
A bill has been introduced in the
house as drafted by the Richmond po-
lice department providing for free
transportation over railroad and
steamship lines OF officers while en-
gagged in the discharge Of their duties
In criminal cases.