Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-03-13
Letters from Richmond.

A caucus of the Conservative members was
held last night, at which, while it was agreed
to vote for the extension of the session. if abso-
utely Necessary, until the 30th, yet it was de-
tcrmined in order to adjourn on the 18th that
| night sessions Of both Houses should be held
from this time until the adjournment 1t was
further agreed on motion of Mr. Mathew, of
Loudoun, that resolution striking from the
Constitution the usury clause, and leaving the
question of interest to future legislation, should
be introduced and passed at this session; but
that it. is inexpedient to legislate in reference
to the right of franchise by changing the mode
of voting from the ballot to the viva voca sys-
tenn or requiring the payment Of taxes as pre-
requisite to voting.
In the Senate, to-day, u resolution for night
sessions on and after Monday was passed.
The House amendments to the Senate bill in
reference to county Treasures were agreed to-
The bill authorizing the damning of theJ James
river at Lynchburg was passed.
The House bill providing system of public
schools for the cities was referred.
Bills were reported in relation to the main
tenance of illigitimate children; to provide for
the collection of debts due the city of Lynch
the Mayor, &C.; to provide that interest shall
not be recovered upon debts created prior to
the 10th Of April 1865 for the period between
the 18th of April 1861 and April 10th 10th
| 1865; concerning the eligibility Of certain per-
sons to a scat in the General Assembly; provid-
| ing charter for Charlottesville; in relation to
| an International Exhibition at Philadelphia
appropriatng the public revenue for the year
lS10-7l; amending the act providing for the
| collection Of the State revenue and county
lcvies for the year 1870; providing for the pay
| virginia, and for the relief Of j. c. Gibson and
Others suretics of Geo. S. Cady, late Sheriff of
Culpeper.
Bills were introduced for the relief of sheriffs
and other public officers whose official receipts
| and papers have been destroyed by fire
or otherwise, and for the relief of the late
Sherifs of the Commonwealth
Senate bills to incorporate the Virginia In
surance Company, and making an appropra-
ton of ST, 900 for the enlargement of the Cen
trail Lunatic Asylum, (colored.)
The bill re-apportloning the State for Sena-
tors and Delegates was taken up, an amend
ment, offered by the. Radicals, re-apportioning
according 10 the present plan voted down, and
the bill embodying the plan adopted by the
Conservatives in Conference, and heretofore
published, was ordered to be engrossed
The bills to prevent Instructions in the Rap
pahannock river by stake nets, &C., and to in
corporate the towns Of Hillsboro' and Middle
burg in Loudoun county, were taken up and
advanced on the calendar
The bill extending the corporate limits of the
town OF Manchester was taken up and passed.
In the House Of Delegates bills were report
ed authorizing the Orange, Alexandria and
Manassas Railroad Company to endorse and
guarantee the bonds Of the Lynchburg and Dan
vile Railroad Company, and Of certain cities;
counties and towns for subscription to the stock
Of the latter company; and to authorize the
Orange Alexandria and Manassas Railroad
Company to consolidate and provide for the
payment Of it's mortgage Indebtedness.
A resolution providing for night sessions OF
the House was passed.
A House joint resolution proposing to amend
the constitution, by striking out the usury
cluse, was taken up and after a good deal OF
filibustering on the part Of the Radicals, was
ordered to its engrossment.
The Tax bill was then taken up, further
amended and discussed, and the amendments
ordered to be engrossed.
The bill for the extension and completion Of
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad was taken
up, discussed and the amendments imposing
certain restrictions, voted down. Pending fur
Their consideration the House took recess un-
til 0 clock.
RICHMOND, March ll-NIGHT The Radi
chi members of the Legislature having deter
mined to press for an adjournment on the 18th
and being anxious to prevent the passage Of as
many of the important measures now pending
as possible, arc throwing obstacles in the way
of the accomplishment of the ends desired by
the Conservatives, by ''filibustering," but their
plans arc most likely to be frustrated, and it is
confidently expected that an adjournment will
take place on the 18th; it is also hoped that all
the important bills necessary to be passed. will
become laws.
On Tuesday next the election for US. Sena
tor takes place, when Judge johnson will be
reelected The Radicals have yet fixed upon
no one definitely, for whom to cast their votes.
H. M. Bowden, G. Y Thomas and Gen. Wick
ham are most prominently mentioned, and
some Of Porters friends are anxious that he
should receive the empty honor" but some
other member of the party may be selected.
The Railroad investigations are still pro-
gressing, resulting in nothing worthy Of note,
or OF any general interest, although the papers
of the city arc filled with the evidence
At the night session of the House Of Dele
gates, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad bill
was taken up, amended so as to provide that
the terminus Of the Peninsula branch from
Richmond, shall otbe within less thanfve miles
below West Point, and as thus amended the
bill was passed without opposition.
The bill imposing taxes for the support of
government, &c, heretofore amended, was
taken up and passed-aycs 81, noes none
The bill for the revocation of the order of the
county court Of certain counties adopting the
provisions of the fence law, was taken up, dis
cussed, amended, and the bill ordered to be en-
crossed.
House bills were passed, paying the Com
missioners appointed for the sale and removal
Of the penitentiary per diem; fixing the sal
airy of the Superintendent Of Education at
$1,000 with $500 travelling expenses and allow
ing him two clerks, one at salary of 81 200,
and one at ST 600 per annum: DECLARING nor