The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-03-11
HOUSE REFUSES. TO
| RAISE SALARY OF
THE GOVERNOR
County Officials A u.
thorized to Proceed in
Road Construction Un-
derSupervision of High
way Commissioner.

Working under the provisions of the
1oint resolution that only measures
passed by the senate should be con-
sidered by the house, thirty senate
bills were put on their passage and
disposed of during the two sessions
of the house yesterday.
Senate bill 200 providing that when
two juries have failed to arrive at a
verdict. the judge at a subsequent
trial of the case may direct verdict.
was rejected. Delegate Gordon. lead
the fight against the BILL stating that
It tended to discredit the jury sys-
tenn. Delegate Norris moved a re-
the bill was defeated, and urged the
adoption OF the measure on the
ground that it would expedite 1itiga-
han. The hcexs s-ydsfusetflseo frcen-
slider, however and the bill was lost.
Referring to an item appearing in
an afternoon paper, to the effect that
state Auditor G. Lee Moore, had dis
covered an additional 100000 of
state revenue available in the treas
ury. Chairman Brown of the appro-
priations committee, warned MEM
bers of the house against an excess of
liberality on accounts Of the alleged
discovery. The appropriations com
mittee, he said, were fully advised
of the existence of the fund at the
time Ii framed the budget bill and
that the anticipated revenue had been
distributed in the appropriations made
by the bill.
Delegate Oziin inquired If there was
not sufficient left over to provide for
an additional me-griading plant.
Not unless some other appropria-
ton is cut DOWN" Chairman Brown re-
piled.
Taking its cue from the statement
Of the chairman of the appropriations
committee. the house proceeded to
pass by all senate bills calling for adj
ditional expenditure of the states
money and IL is safe to say these will
be closely scrutinized before they are
permitted to become laws
Senate bill 227. authorizing county
officials to proceed with the construc-
ton OF portions of the state highway
system lying in county borders, and
directing the State Highway Commits
sioner to contract for and finance the
work. was passed. Delegate Willis.
in urging the passage OF the bill
stated that It would go long way In
promoting the building of good roads
In the state, and was IN effect merely
anticipating the work proposed un-
der the general highway system
MesSrs- Henley and Gatewood also
spoke in advocacy of the measure
The house. without d dissenting
vote, elected Harry b. Smith, of Cui-
pepper. commissioner of prohibition
for the term of two years. beginning
put in nomination by Delegate Gibson
Of his home county. The election oil
judges OF the corporation courts OF
Alexandria. Danville, Charlottesville.
the civil justice of the city of Ports
mouth, and of the hustings court, OF
the city of Richmond, was disposed OF
in block, the nominees OF the Demo
cratic caucus being chosen for the Of
tlce in each instance.
Efforts OF Delegate Eweil to have
the pilotage bill taken up out of its
order developed storm of opposition
and the bill will have to take its
cahances on the regular call OF the
calender.
The house voted down resolution
proposed by Delegate Gordon to amend
the constitution so that supreme court
judges should be elected by popular
vote, and also the resolution propos-
ing a referendum on all general laws
presented by the same member
Delegate Bosnian offered a Joint
| resolution providing for the appoint.
ment Of committee of three, tive
from the house and one from the
senate, TO investigate and report on
| the feasibility of the state being a
self-insurer OF its public buildings
The resolution was accepted and sent
to the senate.
BY the vote OF Al to % the house re-
jected the joint resolution from IS. 600
| to $4,000 year. The resolution
failed to secure the constitutional ma
| iority OF votes.