The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-03-08
Week Promises to Be the Busiest Of
the Entire Period, With Number Of
Special Orders on the Calendar
Vocational Training Bill and Measure Providing
for Central Station for Registration to Receive
Much Attention Cooke Bill

With the opening of the legislative
session today the final grind of the
biennial session begins. The week
promises to be one of the busiest OF
the entire heszion. which began jan
airy IA. There are many matters to
engage attention, two OF them being
special orders on the calendar of the
senate.
The first OF the provisions OF the
measure which came over from the
house dealing with the Smith Hughes
federal educational mcasure-that
which seeks to set aside federal aid
for vocational training. The bill
frames the machinery for putting the
law into<effect In this state and for
the distribution OF the funds among
the several counties and cities Of the
state
This bill has been hanging fire for
several weeks, due to the fact that II
could not be disposed of until the gen
erai appropriation bill had been con-
sidered and had passed both houses
1t is expected that at least one day
will be conssl med In the consideration
OF this, the report of the conference
comritte on the disagreeing votes
of the house and senate on the appro-
priation bill having the right of way.
REGISTRATION BILL
The next measure registered for
special consideration In the house bill
providing for the registration OF voters
at a central station In all cities OF
5000 and over This bin establishes
a place in the city government for
the permanent location of the men
who shall have charge of the register
sng of voters, recording transfers and
Issuing the same To voters who leave
me state. This bill proved so popular
isn't. when first presented It effected
only the city of Richmond, but Ii ap-
r~alsd 70 the members and AL OF them
vnt under except the city OF Aiexan-
d~ia. Senator Oliver asking delay that
We right get in touch with the people
of his district
Ther,s sviil be snothcr contest when
tho Cccka hill. which allows the state
70 buy, manufacture ard sell liquors.
Tor medicinal PURPOSES arId " f1irf ssf-
bows physicians to have as much a.
six gallons at one time in their poses
sian This bill has been amended in
SO many particulars that IL does not
resemble the act as first presented in
many essentials. Supporters OF the
measure tried 10 have 1t made a spec
sai order for today. but the effort failed
10 meet with the required backing to
give 1t place OF vantage over other
matters. The fight on that measure u
not yet over. and there will be more
parliamentary manouvcring before 1t
Is given the final vote,
Adoption of the resolution providing
hat after Tuesday the house shall con-
slider only senate bills or house bills
with senate amendments the senate
10 consider only house bills or senate
with house amendments has caused
rush on the part Of members to have
pet schemes taken mp and placed
where they will be reached In time to
20 TO the other body and be considered
This means that the session of Mon
day and that Of Tuesday will be long
drawn out affairs. probably extending
into the night. with afternoon ses-
yions beginning along about o'clock.
TO CORRECT ERRORS
Much of the time OF the two last
days will he consumed In the exchange
Of messages, in the signing OF bills.
correcting the mistakes that have been
made In measures and which go to the
Yovernnr.
For instance, there was discovered
an error In the bill creating the po-
sitiou OF state purchasing agent The
duties are to be discharged by the
state hospital commissioner. but there
was need for an emergency clause TO
make the measure effective when ap-
proved. Tho reason for this was that
there are many contracts for the sup
plying of coal to the state institutions.
ana it is necessary that the purchasing
agent be vested with power to go into
the market and to buy coal right now
for the entire year. The legislature
caught the force Of the suggestion by
the governor and made the change at
once
1t is impossible to prevent errors
creeping in. regardless Of the efficiency
Of the corps OF clerks. and this the
members realize.
What will the governor do with the
appropriation bill7 That Is one of the
important questions. He wifi find when
the measure reaches him, that the leg
islaturc has turned deaf ear to his
demand for a third lime-grinding
plant,a scheme inauguratcd during the
regime Of Governor Mann. He will
probably also find a more or less lib
eral appropriation for the prohibition
department. but it remains to be seen
II that sum comes within the purview
81 his declaration to approve reason
sble" appropriation.
The end of the week will see the
members fitting back to their constit-
uents. ready to give account OF their
stewardship. leaving the Richmond
members to hold the constructive scs-
sfons for the signing Of bills and wind
kn~ vs.. tho session.