The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-03-20

lation to waste and unappropriated lands,
passed February Is, 1866;
Senate bill to repeal the act of March
Sd, 1866, in relation to appeals, writs OF
error and supersedeas, and to revive and
reenact and amend the sections of chapter
1872 of the Code amended and repealed by
said act.
INSPECTION OF TOBACCO.
The Senate bill amendatory Of the Code
in relation to tobacco inspectors was taken
up, and, after being amended, was laid
upon the table.
VALUATION OF LANDS.
Senate bill requiring the valuation of
property prior to sale was, on motion OF
MIR. McRAE, indefinitely postponed; after
which, on motion of Mr.. ROBINSON, the
Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Prayer by the Rev. A. E. Dickinson, of
the Baptist Church.
The Journal and the Senate message
we're read, and Senate bills were referred.
REJECTED.
The Senate bill to amend and reenact
the 18th section of chapter 1872 of the Code
of Virginia, edition of 1860, came up, and,
upon the question of its engrossment, was
rejected.
Mr.. CABELL introduced o resolution in
curing into the expediency of employing
persons imprisoned in Jail on conviction for
misdemeanors, for corporation or county
purposes.
coMMoNwEALTH's ATTORNEYS FEES.
On motion Of Mr.. BOOKER, the bill in
relation to the fees Of Commonwealth's
attorneys was postponed until the 18th OF
April.
BILL PASSED.
A Senate bill to amend and reGnact the
9th section of an act passed January 9,
1866, entitled "an act authorizing the
trustees of the town of Manchester to con-
struct bridge across James river" was
read third time and passed.
THE bill restricts the bridge and the
streets leading to it to width of eighty
feet, and authorizes the company to con-
denim land for the opening Of such streets
at each Of its abutments.]
HOMESTEAD BILL.
The bill to exempt the homestead of
families from forced sales came up on Its
second reading.
THE bill exempts homestead not ex-
ceeding l60 acres of land, and not exceed
ing in value s1,2OO.I
Mr.. DICKINSON moved an amendment mo-
difyiDg a clause in the bill so that it should
read as follows: emo homestead shall be
exempted from any liens or membranes
by Judgment or decree, or from any bona
tide debt existing at the time of the pass
age of this act" Which amendment was
agreed to-53 to 10.
Mr.. PENDLEToN moved reconsideration
of the vote on this amendment which
motion was rejected.
The bill was ordered to its engrossment-
sc to 16.
The House proceeded with bills in their
early stages, ordering several to engrosS-
ment.
THE STATE DEBT.
The hour of II o'clock brought up the
bill for the consolidation Of the State debt,
sc.
Mr.. TURNER being entitled to the floor,
addressed the House in exposition Of his
views on the subject. He contended that
Virginia was not liable-morally, equita-
bly,, or legally-for the whole debt of the
State, and entered into an argument of
some length in support of his position. He
next discussed the general condition OF the
State and her ability to pay the tax neces-
sary to meet the interest on the public
debt, He contended that the tax would
be at least ninety cents in hundred dol
lars value of property. Assuming that
Virginia was not now able to bear this bur-
then in addition to $ll 100000 which he
said she paid in tax to the Federal Govern
ment, he declared himself opposed at this
time to imposing any tax with the view of
paying any of the interest on the public
debt. He denied that he was an advocate
of reputation. He wanted to see Vir-
GINA pay all that she owed, and he had no
doubt that she would pay it. After she
had time to repair her shattered fortunes
and recover from her prostration, she would
resume the payment Of her obligations as
she ought to do.
Mr.. CRUMP followed in reply to Mr.. TUR-
NER, criticising his statistical arguments,
and coBtending that he was mistaken in
his estimate of the tax necessary to pay
six per cent. on the public debt. Forty
five cents in the hundred dollars of value
would pay six per cent. on the old debt
(about 1856, 000, 000), excluding the funded
interest debt; and if the House deter
mined to pay only four per cent. interest,
thirty cents on the hundred dollars would
produce revenue quite ample for the pur-
pose.
Mr.. CRUMP admitted that owing to the
changes in the political condition of the
State there was reason in the argument of
gentlemen against the adopting of SYM
metrical plan for funding the whole debt
and gradually liquidating it upon the basis
Of the original bin. he was therefore pre-
pared to surrender that scheme, and join
gentlemen in the passage Of simple
measure providing the accruing annual
interestfor the whole six per cent, E that
could be carried, If not, for four per cent.
MT. Y. made an eloquent appeal to the
house to save Virginia from discredit and
dlshonor by providing for the redemption
OF her plighted faith to the fullest extent
OF her means and ability. Incidentally. in
reply to remark of Mr.. TURNER relative
to Richmond, he paid that city q GLOWING
tribute for her fortitude under the ereatest |
trials, aud her patriotism in the hour of
peril in offering herself sacrifice for the
public good. Such people as those of