Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-02-15
sETrER FROM RICHMOND.

Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
RICHMOND, Feb. l4.-The proceedings OF the
Legislature to-day, were not of an important
character.
A large number of resolutions of enquiry and
bills were introduced in both Houses, among
them, one in the Senate, creating the office OIL
railroad commissioner, whose duty 1t snail De
to examine into the condition Of the railroad;
of the State once year and report to the GoV
crnor, also to assess land damages when the
Com pauies and owners cannot agree; the com
missioner to hold his office tor three ~ years.
a resolution enquiring into the eXpedlency
OF memoriaiziog Congress for government. AID
in the completion Of the South Side Consoilda
ted Railroad line. and the construction or the
Norfolk and Great Western Railroad, was re-
ierred to the committee on roads.
A resolution inquiring if any legislation Is
necessary to secure to the State the land scrip
donated BY Congress to the several States, tor
the erection Of an Agricultural College, was
agreed TO-.
A bill Incorporating tue Harrisonburg and
Rawley Springs Turnpike, was passed
The bill relieving certain ciizens Of A!cxan-
dria from taxes paid in 1861 and 4,was Gail:
cd up and referred.
The bill giving the Governor authority TO
hire out the Ponitentiary cnnvlcts, was amend
ed 60 as to strike out that portion permitting
them to learn 'mechanical trades.
A resolution that the Committee on Courts
Of Justice be instructed to enquire what IeglS-
lalon is necessary to secure to persons the
In the House of Delegates the bill 10 rela
ton to the Alexaudra J4oudouu and Hamp-
shire Railroad Company, Was reported from
the Committee on Roads, read the first Time
and ordered to be printed. The bill authorz
es :: change Of the location Of the road, aud
with consent Of stockholders, OF the Company )
name also, an increase of its capital stock aud
funded debt to SIS 900, 600 each.
The Committee on Courts Of Justice report.
ed that in their opinion the provision OF the
Constitution prescribing that the County
Judges shall be learned in the law does not
make it necessary that the officer, referred 10
should be members Of the Bar
Among the resolutions OF enquiry adopted
was one authorizing by law The establishment
OF warehouses; in each county and city OF this
Commonwealth, for the punishment OF offences
against the law, not otherwise punishable by
death or confinement in the PeDltentlar5.
The following resolution, offered by Nlr
Mathew OF IIoudouD, was laid on the table.
Resolved, That it il the judgment OF the
House OF Delegates that it IS unwlse and I'M
polite for the Superintendent Of the Penlten'
tary to allow speeches to be made in that in.
stitution, calculated TO make the convlcts be
Ee7e they are innocent, we're unlustiy con7c
ted and are being unlawfully punished, there:
by causing discomfort among the inmates Ct
that institution.
A communication was received from the
Auditor stating that warrants on the fund OF
criminal charges for the fiscal year ending the
3Oth of September, 1868, were SlG3, S39 %;
for the fiscal year ending September 30th,
1869, $lSl, 93017; for account of November
and December, 1869, s53. 343 90. For the
fiscal year 1850 go, before the division OF the
State. criminal charges paid at the Treasury
for the year ending September Goth, 1860,
$9S 933 IS.
A resolution was offered BY MIR. Marshall,
irstructing the Committee on Courts OF Justice
to enquire BY what tenure the various officers
now acting in this State hold their positions.
In the Court Of Appeals to day, N the case
OF the Washington, Alexandra and George
town Railroad Company VS.. the Alexandria
and Washington Railroad Company, the de-
csion Of Judge Thomas Of the Circuit Court
Of Alexandria County, was affirmed In whole.
This gives the title Of the road to the old COM
pany of which j. S. French is president.
The rush for Office is as great as ever and
the candidates seem to multiply.
1t is proposed, in reference to townships
that to facilitate the collection OF taxes and
prevent delay or confusion, the present magis:
terial districts shall constitute the township"
provided for by the new Constitution.