Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-05-20
1.ETTERFROM RICHMOND.

RICHMOND, May 19.-1'he Senate, to-day,
nassed the House bill, amending the general
election bill, striking out the clause requiring
the ballots to be numbered.
The Senate Judiciary Committee have re-
ported with recommendation tn at 1t pass, o
resolution providing tor the adjournment OF
the Legislature on the 18th OF June until the
10Th ri l1otoher. and that in the interim the
n, NOW. and officers shall not be entitled to
ner diem. nor shall they receive mileage tor at
tendance at the adjourned session. Another
rcsolution looking to an adjournment sine die
an the 9th of June, was presented and went
over, under tho rule.
Bills were reported to amend the 23d section
Of the 49th chapter; the 4th section of the oth
chanter, and the 5th section of the lGlst chap
fer of the code of 1860; and a bill to provide
for and regulate the settlement OF debts con-
tracted prior to May lst, 1865.
A petition from physicians OF Richmond anu
Westmoreland counties; was presented, asking
protection for graduates in medicine.
A bill for The relief of the Bank OF the
Commonwealth at Fredericksburg, similar IN
it's provisions to tho bill for the relief OF tho
Bank of the Old Dominion, was reported from
the Committee on Banks. -,
The Hanover and West Point railroad hili
was advanced, and the bill TO incorporate the
Potomac and Piedmont Railroad company, DIS
cussed and passed by.
A bill to incorporate new company, 10
bridge the James, was, alter long discusslon'
ordered to be engrossed.
The Senate bill comforting judicial powers on
Mayors Of towns having less than 5UOO lnhaDl'
| tants, and investing sergeanls Of said towns
with the powers aud duties OF constables. was
| ordered to be engrossed.
The bill fixing the salary OF the Attorney
General was considered, but no action taken.
10 tho House of Delegates, the bill Tor the
election OF Justices of the Peace and consabeS
in Alexandria, was read twice. -,
Adverse reports were made upon bills IN &c
la,ion to the Sherifl4 in criminal proceedings
to prevent prize fighting; to protect tne prop
erty of the vile from debts due by the husband
| at the dato OF marriage. and exemptlng lh'
'Disciplcs Of Christ from military dufy' -,
The Joint resolution requiring members OF
the General Assembly to certify their actua
attendance, or that they were absent by leave
: or on account OF sickness, before drawing 'he'
nav. was passed by 4 meagre majority
The tax bill having been put back to abou
the condition it was in prior to amendment
is now being discussed over again with pros
ncos that the exemption clauses will be agar
struck out
This has becn quite an exciting day, poIill
ooly--for Richmond. The primary election
il in progress and the indications are tina
y Mayor Elyson will receive the Constrvatlv'
G nomination for re. election. though it Is though
flat the election will be a close one, the Radl
Gals intending 10 put forth every exertIon Il
carry Tie city, In this, though they will b.
defeated, the conservatives being equally ahV'
to the emergency. ,u
Benz. H.. Berry, IT,. and Geo. D.. Wise
both, formerly Of Alexandria, arc likely to
Commonwealth Attorney and the latter 10
Clerk OF the Chancery Court
A Scene IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTA-
T1vEs.-An unexpected excitement in tn
House yesterday grew out OF the discussion
5 upon motion Of Mr.. Banks to amend tn
Diplomatic and Consular Appropriation bll'
hy nrovidipr for Minister Resident mt Rome
Mr.. Dawes took exception to the amondme q
upon the ground that it was q spiritual powe
= that prevailed at Rome and that there was n
commercial interest 10 warrant Minister a
that place.
MIR. Bingham also opposed the amendment
The Democrats, led by McSsrs voorhees,
e Brooks ard Cox. called tn, Republicans t
account for this opposition, and imputed 1t t.
disposition TO persecute Rome and TIT
2 Catholics, on account OF peculiar religion:
tenets. The excitement grew as tho speaker:
progressed Members moved about from
place to place as new speakers arose upon tbt
floor, and gathered about them. Passion and
sensation were wrought up to the highest ten
sion. Mr.. Dawes charged MIR. Brooks witt
Know othingism in former days, and the lat
ter Indignantly denied that he had ever been 6
KnoW-Nothing, or that be had been 10 sym
patty with Know. Nothingism. Mr.. Voorhee:
dashed at Mr.. Dawes tierceIy, and charged
that the latter had no charity or Christian
forbearance that he had brought his religion
into the House, which was that which he
had inherited from bis ancestors who burned
the witches 10 Massachusetts,, and that he
brought here the reflected glare OF the burning
converts destroyed ia Massachusetts some If
teen years aro MIR. Hoar, of Massachusetts,,
replied to this, and explained the burning
OF witches and Of converts, and wound up by
charging that it did not become the political
friends (meaning the Democrats) OF the men
who had burned alive our soldiers ct Fort
PILLOW, and of those who had burned orphan
asylums in New York and hung negroes on
lamp posts, to talk of cruclties in past ages.
Nr. VOORHEES, had risen excitcdy before Mr..
Hoar had concluded, and with manner full
OF excitement and anger, cried out Every
word he uttrs is false, and he knows it. -
Here the whole House was worked up to
the highest pitch. Each particular member
seemed to be taking part, and gesticulating
and talking vehementy. The confusion was
so great that it was impossible to discover
what was being said and by whom. The chair
man. (this was all in Committee OF the Whole) j.
rappcd and Numbered order, at tho top
of his voice, until at length partial order was
restored, when Mr.. Stevens demanded that the
offensive words OF Mr.. Voorhees, be written
down.
Various motions were made TO put an end TO
the controversy and the excitement grew more
intense. Mr.. VOORHEES, was asked to withdraw
his offensive words, and declined unless those
which provoked him were Withdrawn, and Mr.
Cox demanded that the offensive remarks Of
Mr.. Hoar be written down. Both demands
were complied with. Mean time dozen or