Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-01-17

a meeting Of the Trustees OF that institution
was held on Saturday, and Mr.. Waldo Il.
Luckett, unanimously elected to supply the
vacancy.
The former postmaster at Mt. Gilead in
Loudoun county, having removed from that
place, the post-ofiee there has been Temporal
riIv closed. A commission was last week IS
sued for Mr.. VIM. e. Garrett, but being una
BILE to swallow the OATH he couldn't accept.
The hunting of cartridges, hares, and other
game, continues, and unless more moderation
is exercised, there will scarcely be enough seed
left for another crop. The Lynchburg News
saws that no true sportsman will engage in it
now.
A fire occurred at Portsmouth, last Monday.
Several stores and other buildings were burned.
The market house was in danger for some
time, and was badly defaccd.
VIRGINIA LEGIsLATURE.-In the Senate,
on Tuesday, several incorporating acts were
passed, which possess interest to the people OF
the localities affected Among them, arc the
act establishing and Incorporating the Augusta
county fair, and the horse railway between the
town of Charlottesville aud the University Of
Virginia.
Mr.. Keen, from the Committee On Roads
and internal Navigation, reported, without
amendment House bill TO amend the first
section of an act to incorporate the Middlebure
aud Plains Station Turnpike Company, which
was subsequently, taken up, read thc third
time, and passed. The bill enacts that it shall
be lawful TO open books for receiving subscrir-
tinns to al amount not exceeding $4,000,
divided into shares Of twenty-five dollars each,
to constitute joint capital stool; for construct
ing turnpike road from MddieEurg, in the
county Of Loudoun, to the Plains Station on
the Manassas Gap Railroad "Thc sail books
shall be opened at MidlIc!p,lrs, under the
direcionoi Arthur i. Rogers, William Benton,
Isaac D. Budd, William J. Luck, Alexander
N. Smith, Edward J.. llot0n and L. TowSoa
Smith, or any four Of them, and at such other
place or places and under the direction Of such
agents as majority of the above named Com
mls,ioncrs may appoint.
In the House Of Delegates, Mir. English
introduced bill 10 amend an act incorporating
the Great Hunting Greek Bridge Company.
The House spent most OF the day on bill
for the modification of the USury Laws. The
debate was animated, and was participated in
by various members. Nr. Robertson took
part in the debate, and we copy the substance
Of his remarks as reported in the Richmond
Enquirer
Mr.. Robertson thought it not difficult to
demonstrate the inconsistency manifested in
our State legislation. The prejudices against
usury had been handed down for ages, and
Church and State had allied to put down what
was stigmatized as an niquitous practice
When Coburn, the great French Minister,
assembled the wise men Of France to consider
the best means Of promoting the interests Of
the country, they said, ''only let US alone. "
This House had granted to certain associations
the virtual right to receive any interest they
could obtain, and had thus themselves violated
the usury laws Only few days since he con-
versed with Baltimore capitalist, who, sup
posing that the usury laws had been repealed,
was preparing to send many thousand dollars
to our suffering State for investment, but on
learning that the Senate bill was not passed,
revoked his determination. Bacon, Locke,
and Bentham, and Brougham hooted at the
usury laws, and their opinions had been since
fortified by the support Of the highest legal
talent Of the United States When the statute
Of Henry VIII, allowing usurious interest was
repealed, the rate Of interest was increased ,aud
such was the effect Of all legislation on this
subject. The House had allowed the Virginia
Slate Company, the Citizens Gas Light Com
pany of Norfolk, the Norfolk City Railroad
Company to borrow money respectively 'at
such rate of interest as might be agreed
upon, 80 per cent" and IS per cent. " Why
should these strong corporations be allowed
privileges refused to our needy citizens? If
members wished to know the necessities and
the wishes of our people, they need only step
to the porch of the Capitol, aud they would see
ruin on the one side and undeveoped power on
the other He read from Kelley on USury
extracts asserting that money, like water, would
seek its own level when plenty. it could be
borrowed atless that legal interest, when scarce,
the usury laws were evaded.
He quoted freely from Mccullough in sup
port of his position, and also from Waterton,
and other authorities too numerous to men
ton 1t were as easy to stand upon the beach
and forbid the tide to reach its usual limits as
to attempt TO put down usury by legislation.
WHAT IS PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE ?
The New York Observer answers this ques-
ton in a few words. but very comprehensiyciy,
as follows:
'Under its influence spring tastey and con-
veoicnt dwellings, adorned with shrubs and
flowers, and beautiful within with the smiles
of happy wives, tidy children IN the lap Of
thoughtful age-broad hearts and acts, as well
as words of welcome. Progressive agriculture
builds barns and puts cutters on them builds
stables Tor cattle and raises roots to feed them
1t gratis wild apple trees by the meadow with
plpplns or greenings-it sets out new orchards
and takes care OF the old ones 1t drains low
lands, cuts down bushes buys mower, house
tools and wagons, keeps good fences and prac-
tees soiling. 1t makes hens lay, chickens live,
and prevents swine from roofing up meadows
Progressive agriculture keeps on hand plenty
of dry fuel and brings in the oven wood for the
women. 1t plows deeply, sows plentifully,
barrows evenly, and prays tor the blessings Of
heaven ,...