Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-06-15
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
ro,roBIsL cORREsPONDETcE.


Alto, A. M, the Speaker called the House OIL
Delegates to order. On motion oil Mr.. scoit'
the House resolved itself into committee OF
the Whole, 10 consider the first bill OF the Code,
Mr.. Shelley taking the Chair. The committee
resumed the consideration OF the Code, begin
ming with Title 10Th, "Public Revenue" Chap
ler 35. "Assessmen, Of Texas on property
ls, anc Cd sections on Number of Commission
err Of Revenue and Sd section, "Eow and
when appointed" we're passed on without OBJ
lection.
Mr.. GEORGE moved TO strike nut from 4th sec
lion, on "who are ineligible as Commissioners
The word physician"
Nit SCOTT said that the physicians were
taxed anc therefore were included in The section.
Mr.. FERG USON hoped physicians" would
be stricken out, as otherwise justices who are
physicians would DE ineligible. The motion was
carried.
Mr.. GOFF moved 10 make justices OF The
peace ineligible as commissioners. he cied ~
stances oil abuse in the West
Mr.. SCOTT resisted the motion. Some years
since The proposition was made and elaooralely
DISCUSSED by the House-and the law was then
modified 50 as 10 prevent The County Courts from
appointing justices as commissioners IN rotation
Throughout the Stale justices form very large
and respectable class, and 10 exclude them would
| greatly narrow the range oil selection. MT
GOFFS motion was lost.
Mr.. BURWELL moved that ordinary keep
ers" be stricken from the list oil persons ineligible"
| as Commissioners. They were very often JUS.
tees OF The Peace.
Mr.. FERGUSON drew q contrast between
physicians and ordinary keepers, as 10 their qua
! LITIGATION for The Office OF commissioner. he
was opposed TO the amendmen which was lost
5th and 9th sections on "Bonds of Commits
soners; 7lh, 9th, 9th, 10Th, llth and 18th sec
lions on LISTS furnished by clerks, and register
to commissioner" Section Is and Ia "As to
books and papers which predecessor had;' Sc
ton Is, on Assistant TO Commissioner when
Sick" Section l6 and II, on Communications
from First Auditor 10 the Commissioners and
the Courts" aud sections l5 and 10, on '.power
10 remove or re-appoint," were passed on with
out objection.
Mr.. TONNES moved to amend 25th section,
80 as 10 allow land TO be transferred upon
"o,her written evidence" than "record" evil
dencc. Mr.. T. explained the necessity OF the
amendment, in cases where The deed has been
executed, acknowledged before two justices,
though not recorded, and has come within the
knowledge Of the commissioner.
Mr.. PRICE suggested difficulty in cases Of
title. bonds, which may not be prepared for re-.
cord.
Mr.. TONNES. That case is not embraced
The commissioner is to look at the legal and
not equitable title. He thought the amendment
would do Justice, and charge all parties.
Mr. PRICE. The land will remain charged
n the name of the vendor, until the deed to ven
dee is recorded lie opposed the amendment;
which was lost.
Sections 30, 81, %, %, "a, 25, &c, 81, %,
%, 80, 81, -, 49, "a, IS, sc, 81, 80, 80, 40,
Al, AZ, 43 on "Rues TO govern the commits.
sioner in making out his land book" Sections
"A, As, &c, on "Form of the handbook" and
sections Al, as, 40, SO, 81, SO, SO, "a, SIS, st,
81, on "Whal IS 10 be ascertained by commits
sioner in making out book of personal proper
ty" were passed on without objection.
MIR. PRICE moved 10 amend section 6st, s.
as to compel the commissioner TO call on the
taxpayers, who, il they are not thus found
viii Mr. BoRMTatSs St though g 't the commissioner
should, in calling, leave a written notice Of hi
visit 10 the tax payer, and moved an amend
ment 10 that effect.
Mr.. PRICE saw no necessity for the amend
ment, for unless the fact of notice be proved, the
taxpayer cannot be convicted.
Mr.. FERGUSON moved TO amend the
amendment, so as to insert, "if he have notice
of the call"
Mr.. SCOTT thought the section, as il stood
embraced the same proposition. The amend
/ ment was lost
Mr.. FERGUSON moved to amend The same
section by striking out the words go 10 the COM
missioner SO as only to require the taxpayer
TO furnish The commissioner with lists. Carried
The section was further verbally amended
on motion of Mr.. PRICE.
Sections So, SO, 60, 81, 81, IS, 81, as to
"How commissioner procures information,
which ne is TO have in making out book of per-
sonal property" were passed on without obiec.
ton, save as specified above.
| Mr.. COOK moved TO amend the 6slh Sec
ton, SO as to require commissioners to list
slaves over 10 years of age, but withdrew The
| motion al the suggestion of Mr. PRICE, that the
| 47th section taxed slaves above II years of age
Sections 65, 66, on 'Form Of the book al
personal property Sections e., 6s, So, on
"Rules applicable both TO the land book and the
book Of personal property Section 70, on
"Copies OF commissioners books, made and
sworn to- Section II, Chow commissioner re-.
ans originals" Sections 70, 49, "A, IS, rs,
n, rs, 79, as to GLOW commissioners books
are examined and certified" Sections 80. 81.
ers' books are disposed of" and sections 81, IS,
So. on penalties on commissioner for failure
in duty" were passed on without further OBJ
lection.
Mr.. GEORGE moved to strike out the com.
pensation of 8 from 87th section, and insert
5O cents for apportionlng tract among differ
ent owners, and re.assessng The different par.
cells.
Mr.. WATSON thought the compensation
not too large. The amendment was lost
Mr.. PRICE moved 10 amend the same sec.
ton, so as to make the person, at WHOSE IN
stance an alteration in the quantity of and is
made, pay 80 cents for such alteration. bther-
wise, said Mr.. P, he would rcecise / rs fJe
every transfer Of land. y
Mr.. SMITH and Mr~yERsY OPP ed lhI
amendment, as the commissioner should be pail
for his trouble
Mr.. PRICE said that the commissioner had
no additional trouble. He had only TO change
the figures. The amendment was adopted.
Mr.. GEORGE moved TO amend The same sec
tion so as TO give the commissioner so cents in
stead OF al Tor assessing the value Of new grants.
me CON m'sslonef gels tt,s high paw said Mr..
though ne never goes upon the grants
Mr. FERGUSON advocated the amendment
81 was an exorbi'ant compensation for what he
deserved scarcely anything al all. The amend
meht vas adopted
MIR. BoYERS moved 10 strike out all Of the
section providing Tor this fee
Mr.. SCOTT said This fee was for The duty
Of assessing; for which The necessity OF view is
imposed on him.
Mr.. PRICE thought so cents lille enough
Mr. BOYERS said that in his county the
commissioners did not 60 on The lands 10 assess
their value.
Mr.. SCOTT While from The mountain tops
The value OF land could be arrived at east
ly, YET IN other portions OF Virginia, i! was ne
cessary 10 60 on the lands and view them. The
amendment was lost
Sections 81 and %, on commissioners ices from
individuals, were then passed on without farther
objection.
Nj. PRICE moved 10 amend the oath OF The
commissioner oiihe revenue in the S9th section
So rs 10 require him 10 swear no The hes, OF his
Knowledge and belief" 10 the number OF days he
,uoc ,poli