Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-02-16
Letter from Richmond.

RICHMOND. Feb. l5.-In the Senate, to-day:
the consideration of the bill authorizing the
Richmond. Fredericksburg and Potomac Rail
road Company to extend their line to Alexan-
dris was resumed, and the bill variously amend
Cd but without final action it was laid on the
table 10.
The State debt question was before the Senate
to-day on IL resolution requesting the Finance
Committee to report at once tax bill tor lS'I
also bill providing for the payment OF interest
upon the public debt of the State at such time
and to such an extent as the committee sha al
deem practicable. Upon this Mr.. Waddell.
Chairman of the Finance Committee, expressed
his views upon the debt arguing that Virginia
is bound for the whole debt and that the State
* able TO pay the interest The resolution was
finally adopted.
Bills were reported for the relief Of the Treas
urer of Petersburg extending the limits Of the
town of Manchester; providing Il charter tor
the town of Stanton: concerning the duties
and compensation of officers in counties having
over l5.n0O inhabitants: amending the cham
gang law.
Bills were introduced for the relief Of j. {.
Gibson and others. SuretleS OF Geo. I. Cady, late
Sheriff OF Culpeper county: extending the time
in which H. h. Bradshaw commissioner ofthe
revenue of Alexandria may qualify.
The Senate bill giving power to township
boards to rearrange election precincts upon the
application Of twenty or more qualified voters
of the respective townships was discussed and
recOmmitted.
In the House of Delegates bills were report
ed and placed on the calendar to authorize the
O., 4. 4 NJ Il. r. Go. to acquire and sell
lands to refund to Randolph Macon College
certain taxes Improperly assessed: to amend
the charter of the Petersburg Il. II. Co.: to
authorize the R.. +. l. Z. Il. r. Go. TO extend
The Committee OH Courts reported it mex
age, asking authority to sell lands in which he
holds life estate.
House bill amendatory of the charter Of the
Alexandria and Fredericksburg Railroad Com
pany came up as unfinished business 4ues
ton being upon the amendment offered by Mr.
Thurman, allowing the r.. +. l. p. Il. K. Go,
the right to purchase the stock held by the
State i'll that company on the saline terms rs the
new company arc allowed to do. The debate
was continued at length by N1cssrS. Kelley.
Cochran. Segar. Smith. of Russell. and Pop
ham. The said amendment WAS rejected by
ayes IT. noes GG. An amendment. offered by
Mr. Bell Of Augusta, authorizing the sale Of
the States interest to the highest bidder was
adopted-avcs -. noes % Further amend
mcnts. by Mr.. llenscy. We're agreed TO-
\ motion was here made tn adjourn. and lost
by ayes t. hoe: is.
After tilssing over 1 proposition to divide
section into TWO. 4 long time. the proposition
WAS Withdrawn, and the House adjourned.
As an Indication Of the manner i'll which
State legislation is now conducted it may not be
improper to State that it Is currently report
ed here that certain Federal authorities have
been invoked. to influence votes Oh pending
railroad propositions: further that e bribery
and corruption is charged. and III investigating
committee actually appointed by the House Of
Delegates. That even such inslnuatinn> should
be limited is reflection upon the good name of
the old Commonwealth.
RICHMOND. Feb ia meeting Of the sub
committee Oh reapportlonment WAS held this
evening when plan was presented which gives
thirty thousand Us the basis for representation
in the Senate. and ten thousand four hundred
for the House of Delegates BY this plan the
Senate would consist of forty members and the
House of one hundred and eighteen, giving 4
Conservative majority. including the doubtful
districts. Of about twelve in the Senate and
about twenty-five in the House. This plan
will be submitted on Thursday next to the com
mittec OF twenty-four, when ii is expected some
definite action on reapportionmcnt will be agreed
upon While by this arrangement Alexandria
would only be entitled to one delegate aprop-
osition will be submitted to allow all counties in
the State having about fifteen thousand Of pop
ulation two delegates Alexandria. Fairfax and
Prince William by the proposed plan make
one Senatorial district. while Loutloun and
Clark constitute another: Fauquicr and Rappa
hammock another: Madison, Culpepcr and
Orange another: Spottsylvania and Louisa
another and Stafford. King George and West
r,oralor1 onothar