Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-04-18
SKETCH OF THE ACTS
Passed BY the General Assembly Of Tir-
ginia, al its SESSION 1874.
CONTINUED.

| 90 an dOt CHdtietug tUc 1911 quaitttfy
term OF the county court Of Charlotte, from
October TO November.
30. An act prescr bing the mode 10
which VIM. II. Diggs may execute his
bonds as sheriff of Nelson county; au-
thorizes him to execute the same aud TO
qualify ss sheriff before any two justices
Of the peace for said county.
30. An scl simplifying the proceedings
in cases Of usufy; prescibes the form OF
he plea, and provides that under it the
defendant shall be allowed to give in ev-
idence any fact showing or tend ng To
shew that the note, bond ar other wrling
upon which the action was brought, was
given for usurnus consideration. The
net to take effect LIST Of September next.
81. An act changing the time of hold
ing certain circuit superior courts Of law
and chancery therein mentioned; pre-
scrioes that the said court for jeff rson
shall be held on The 18th DAYS Of Nav
and October; for Charlotte on the 9Th
days Of April and September; for Camp
he'll on the ll,h days of May and Octo.
Der; for Bedford on the 25th days OF
April and September; Tor Montgomery
on the 4th Monday after the 4th Monday
in April and September; for Giles and
Greenbrier on the Sd Monday in April
and September; for Mercer on the Isl;
Monday after the 4th Monday in April
and September; for Monroe on the ID
Monday after tho 4th Monday in April
and September; and for the town of
Lvnchburg on the 23d days of May and
October.
80. An act concerning the proceedings
in cases of msdeme2nor; provides tina, In
prosecutions for misdemeanor, when a
summons is returned executed, and the
party makes default, the court shall award
capias against the defendant, returnable
to the mex, term; and If returned no. found,
the Commonwealth may proceed to trial
in the same manner as if the defendant
had appeared end pleaded not guilty, or
award an alas cdpaas at the discretion of
the court; and when the party has been
arrested and enlarged on bail and makes
default, the court may proceed to tria IN
like manner, or award new capids. No
dscontinuances to take place for failing
to award process or enter a continuance
on the record.
33. An act further TO amend the act
incorporating the Chesapeake and Ohio
Cana Company; gives the company to the
LIST July, 1855, to complete the eastern
section OF then canal; and authorizes a
branch from the main canal, by slackwa-
ter navigation, with dams and locks or
otherwise, to the coal banks at or above
the mouth OF Savage river; and grants
power to the company to borrow money
from time to time, and to secure the pay
ment thereof, 70 effectuate the objects Of
its charter.
"a An act authorizing an exchange
Of arms with the Portsmouth Light lnfan-
try Guards, and the furnishing arms for
the band attached to said company.
80. An act incorporating the Trustees
of Weston Academy in the county OF
Lewis; giving them the usual powers
vested in such corporations.
SO. An act changing the name Of the
Lynchburg and Mechanics Institution
and for other purposes; calls the instl'u-
ton in future the Farmers and Merchants
Savings Institution of the town Of Lynch
burg, and iegaliLes the acts of the instltu-
ton under its former name.
81. An act imposing taxes for the sup.
port of government; reduces the tax on
lands from fifteen to twelve and half
cents on every hundred dollars value; on
houses and lots 10 towns, from three dol.
| lars and sixty cents TO three dollars on
every hundred dollars rent; on houses
and lots improved and not occupied, and
on all unimproved lots in towns, from
! fifteen to twelve and half cents for every
hundred dolers value; on slaves, from
forty six to forty cents; on horses, asses,
&C., from fourteen to twelve and half
cents. II provides that merchants or
firms commencing business, shall pay
tax of twenty dollars for the rirst year;
auctioneers, tax Of one hundred and fl
ty dollars; but prescrbes that changes ia
the names Of firms are not to be regarded
as the commencement of business. 1t
reduces the tax on brokers from fvo hun.
bred TO three hundred dollars; on pedlars
! from one hundred dollars to fifty dollars;
on pedlars trading on the Ohio river, from
one hundred to thirty dollars; on clock
pedlars, from one hundred to fifty dollars.
Exempts pedlars, trading in cotton yarns
only, from taxation. Reduces the tax on
exhibitors of shows from sixty to ten dol
lars on every exhibition or performance
for reward, fot a period Of not more than
twenty-four hours; and exempts lectures
on literary or sci nti6c subjects, and con.
cerls of music, from taxation; but gives
10 exhibitors Of shows the right To exhibit
in any part ofthe State fur twelve months
upon paying sixty dollars; and to exhIb-
itors ol theatrical performances the right
to exhibit for any time less than year,
upon paying three dollars per week; and
the proprletorS or orcnpiers OF public
rooms fitted for public exhibitions. the
right TO use the same without other tax,
for twelve months, upon paying sixty dol.
lars. The act reduces tine tax on dIvl.
dends declared by JOINT stock companies
from two and half pr centum TO two
per cent. 1t subjects TO tax the interest
or profits on money loaned, should such
interest or profits in the aggregate, receIv'
ed, Tor converted into principal by new
bond, or other evidence OF debt, for such