Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-10-07
Letter from Rich nOnd.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gaz:

CORRESPONDENTS of the Alexandra Gazstte
RICHMOND, Oct G, p. m.-Tks Legislature,
to-day, very much to the surprise Of everybody,
and to none, more 80, than to the members
themselves, passed joint resolution for final
adjournment on the 5:h Of November. The
resolution was passed, it is said, in good faith,
although, it is iutimated that there was a lit.
tie "buncombe' intended, and that there are
so many really important measures which will
have to be acted upon, that the time will have
to be extended. However, there are those who
will use their utmost exertion to effect the OBJ.
iect embodied in the resolution.
Bills were introduced in the Senate, by the
member from Alexandria, comforting upon
judges of County and Corporation Courts the
same powers and jurisdiction in vacation as
possessed by Circuit judges and amending
the act prescribing the times for holding the
terms of the Circuit Court of Alexandria, tiS.
ine the time for the fourth Monday in May
aud third Monday in November, provided that
tho term of the Court may be held, when q
Jury is not required, Immediately after the ad'
| iournmcnt of tho Circuit Court tor the county.
| A bill was presented and referred, providing
for the compilation and publication OF the laws
referring to county and township organization.
In the House OF Delegates, Mr.. Glascock, Of
Fauquier, introduced resolution for tho APP
pointment of a cattle inspector.
The road bill, providing for system Of roads
in the State, prescribing the duties, compensa
| ton, &c, of ovelscers, commissioners, &c..
was made the order OF the day Tor "Wednesday
| next
A resolution stopping per diem Of members
| during their absence except in case OF sickness
was referred.
A resolution instructing the Committee on
| Courts Of Justice to report bill guaranteeing
to all citizens of the State equal civil and
| political rights and privileges, was referred
A resolution instructiug the Committee on
Courts to report on bill already in the hands,
| G relation to common carriers 10 civil rights
| bill, was referred.
The Senate bill in relation to the appoint.
ment of public curators, prescribing their DOW
ers, duties, &C., was rejected.
| The House joint resolution 10 relation to
| the reputation OF public and private debts,
expressive of the Reputation of any such idea
on the part of the Legislature, was ordered to
its third reading.
A resolution iustructing the Committee on
Courts Of Justice to inquire into the expediency
OF so amending chapter 1874 Of the code, os to
provide some moro expeditions method Of re-
covering possession OF leased premises unlaw-
fully withheld, was referred.
The House bill to amend the act providing
| for the adjustment of liabilities arising under
contracts and wills made between the lst Of
January, 1862, and the 10Th Of April, 1865
was dismissed.
The House bill in relation to carrying CON
cea!ed weapons was taken up. amended, and
ordered to its third reading.
The Governor sent to the Legislature, to.
day, his reasons for Withholding his signature
from various bills, passed prior to the recess,
among them, the jury bill, which he contends
is unconstitutional upon the ground that the
Legislature had no right to debar any one
having the right of franchise from the right
to sit upon jury, an that tie bill as passed, in
effect, declares that no man shall sit as juror
unless he is q freehoder. and further, that
while it requires twenty four grand jurors al
certain terms Of a court, it allows grand jury
to be composed Of ten or six members at other
times He concludes that, ''as the constitu
ton makes no difference in the qualification Of
grand and petit jurors. it appears to me that i
our statute upon this subject CT petit uric:
we're 30 amended as to conform to the consti
tuition, and au,horiz, all juric los to be drawn iG
|
difficulty, if any exists, would be properly
safely and SATISFACTORY solved.
In relation to the bill concerning Notary
Publics, the manner of their appointment, &c.
he says that in Withholding his signature he doe
so because it not only imposes limitation
upon the executive power. but that the Office
should BIO one Of dignity and profit, and tina
the Governor would appoint none but fit per
sons to such an Office, thus rendering recon
mendation by the Court unnecessary. and tina
the term of ofhc, should be limited 10 some
thing like one or two years.
The Withholding of the signature Of the
Governor to the Jury bill not only reopens the
whole question Of the jury system, but raise:
an additional one as to whether bill become!
law, notwithstanding the refusal of the Gov.
crnor to sign, after the lapse Of i've days, dur
ing q recess.
a large party OF colorcd excursionists from
Alexandra and Washington arrived here to
day, and have been sight SEEING all day.
While coming down on the Central road one
of the men and two or three of the women en-
deavored TO obtain seats 10 tho ladies car, bu
on being refused in Indignation rode nearly al
the way on the platform, rather than 90 il
with their own color-a very foolish proceeding
on their part.