Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-12-20
Letter from Richmond.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazet

Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
RICHMOND, December l9.-In the Senate,
to-day, the bill incorporating the Pulaski Bank
was passed.
Mi. Herndon presented q bill providing for
the payment Of z por cont interest on the Public
Debt on the first of July next, and 2 per cent
thereafter on the first Of January and first of
July OF oach month, until further legislation
this, however, not to prejudice any settlement
we may seek to have with the State of West
Virginia, which settlement is sought by means
of arbitration. The bill provides that if upon
the lat Of July, 1871. there is not sufficient mon;
ey in the Treasury TO meet the interest ordered
to be paid, then the Treasurer is authorized to
borrow q sum sufficient for that purpose, in an
ticipation Of the receipt Of taxes.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick introduced a bill rendering
to tho bondholders of the State Of Virginia q
settlement o. tho debt so far as the present State
Of Virginia is concerned, upon a basis OF fifty
cents on tho dollar, principal and interest, in
coupon bonds, the interest On which is to be
paid semi-annually, and tho coupons to be re-
ceivable when due in settlement OF all taxes
and dues to the State 1t provides further for
tho payment Of the debt, when so funded in
thirty. four years, by creating a sinking fund
for that purpose and leaves each creditor free to
obtain from West Virginia such portion Of his
debt as that State may or will assume.
The bin authorizing the construction of n
branch Of the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio
Railroad to Richmond, with the privilege Of
using tho Petersburg and Dsnville roads, was
passed with but two dissenting votes.
The question Of the appointment Of arbltra-
tors to adjust the public debt with West Vlr'
siuis Was considered and various propositions
| submitted, sll Of which wore finally referred to
| the Committees Of Courts of Justice, who arc
| expected TO make a report tomorrow or next
| day. The question is now the only topic ct In
terest before the Senate, and will elicit a pro
trsctcd discussion on account OF the cont1arlety
OF opinion CT tho members.
In the House Of Delegates. the bills passed
by the Senate on Saturday were appropriately
referred, except tho bill extending the time Of
the land assessor of Frederick county, Whlch
was placed upon the calendar.
Tho bills authorizing subscriptions to the
| stock of the Virginia Telegraph Company and
incorporating the Harrisonburg and Franklin
Turnpike Company werv reported from com
mittees.
A bill amending the charter and changing
the name of tho Alexandria and Fredericks'
burg Railroad Company WAS reported to TIE
House. The bill strikes out all the restrictions
heretofore imposed upon the Company and al
lows the construction of q road from Washing
ton to Richmond.
A very large number of bills, mostly looking
TO amendments Of the code in various partlcu'
lars, were reported to the House from COM
mittees and placed upon the calendar. Among
the bills, resolutions, &C., presented were II
provide for the payment of the salary OF Judge
Richard Parker; relative to tho proceeding:
between landlord and tenant; empowering the
sale by trustees Of the Strssburg Academy.
The House refused, by q vote Of 81 to 81, &c
reconsider tho vote by which the bill TO sus'
| pend the collection Of taxes in the flooded dis
teict IVES defeated.
The bill authorizing the Board of Public
Works TO sell the States interest IN the Orange
Alexsndria and Manassas Railroad to the com
pany wss taken up, and an amendment propos'
ed BY Mr.. Budd. Of Loudoun, providing thai
if four months after any instalmentf fall due the
| company fail to meet it, they shall be debarred
from the benefits Of the act and forfeit sill pro
defeat of the bill. The amendment was favored
by Messr.. Budd, and Wood, of Halifax, ano
| opposed by Messrs. Hill and SouthAll, of Albe'
marie, and Daniel, Of Lynchburg. Pending
| the consideration of the bill, the House ad.
journed.
The Joint com mi!toe of the two houses of the
General Assembly have concluded their con
sideration o. the assessment bill, with the ex'
| ception Ct the clause referring to the taxes upon
incomes, which will be acted upon Tomorrow
The bill provides q tax of 20! on the SlO0 Of
| tie as EGs fs dJtfte OF nf41c JiffgESS59HM 9gSb5Stft END shafRfl
| rate as that Of this year. There has been a re-
duction upon q few, such as billiard saloons
| SC. This bill is prepared with Teferoace to 8
payment OF 4 per cent interest upon the public
! IuTt, which It's friends claim it will do.
Col. Pendleton, Of Botctourt, chairman Of the
Joint committee on schools and colleges, thi:
morning received q letter from Gen. j.. A. Gar
field, one of the trustees Of the Hampton Nor
nal and Agricultural Institute, asking that 6
portion of the college land scrip given to the
State by Congress be assigned to that institu
ton. In the course of his letter he says
"WhateVer difference of political opinion there
may be in Virginia, he feels quite sure that al
parties will agree rs TO the prOpriety Of teach,
ing tho colorcd race how 10 work intelligcntly
how TO make themselves self. sustaining, wealth
producing citizens." He further says: II hope
the day is no. far distant when Congress will
give material aid to the Southern States in the
work Of bringing up their school system; anc
l am sure it will hasten the day so far as Vlr'
ginia is concerned if in the distribution Of tn:
agricultural land scrip she shows herself will:
ling TO aid ard 10 do full justice to tho colored
population"
Col. pcndloton, in reply, says: 1T gives me
pleasure to say that not only the committee o.
which 1 have the honor TO be chairman, but AL
the members of this General Assembly and the
people of Virginia generally feel q lively inter
est in tho education and leVation Of tho color.
cd people in our midst, and will be found al
all times ready to promote those desirable OBJ
jects in every reasonable way"