Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-03-28
Letter from Richmond.

Pub]ic Property of the Legislature have deter
mined to recommend an appropriation of 800
600 for repairing and cnlarglng the present
penitentiary buildings to accommodate the in
creased number Of convicts, and make their
labor remuneratiye.
In the Senate, to-day. the bill regulating the
sale Of poisonous substances was laid on the
table, but subsequently referred.
The conference committee on the militia bill
made report, substituting the House for the
Senate bills with slight amendments, which
was agreed to. The bill as passed provides for
q sepdrate enrolment of the militia; encourages
volunteer organizations and retains in office all
militia officers in commission LIST OF January
1867. There is no expense to the State incur
red under the provisions of the BILL
The bill providing for the payment OF six
per ct. interest on the bonds of the State held
bv seminaries Of learning and colleges, was so
amended as to include the Theological Semi
nary and then ordered to be engrossed.
\ bill making an appropriation OF 81 200 for
repairs to the capitol was passed.
The bill amending the code IN relation to
granting licenses to lawyers was rejected.
The bill in relation to the trial of causes and
changes Of Venue was tn ken up, read and pass
ed The bill provides that pannel in crlml.
nal cases shall consist Of sixteen instead OF
twentv-four. thus amending the present law.
The bill refunding to Randolph Macon Col
lege an amount illegally assessed on the prop
erty of the college was passed.
The bill extending the jurisdiction OF police
justices and justices of the peace. giving them
concurrent jurisdiction with corporation and
county courts in cases OF petit larceny and as
sault and battery, Us amended IN committee:
immatcrlaly, was passed.
The vote by which the bill for the rellet OF
Samuel Prince. Of Loudoun county, was defeat
cd was reconsidered, but the bill was again
lost-ayeS p. noes ), lacking one vote OF con-
sttutional majority.
The bill to prevent the sale of personal prop
crty Of sureties until the personal property OF
the principal is exhausted. was discussed and
ordered to be cngroSscd
\ bill to provide for the advance payment of
the annuity to the Virginia Military Institute
for the fiscal Year Of ISL - WIS ordered to
its third reading
The bi fox the appointment of trustees OF
the town of York was ordered to he engrossed.
The hill for the incorporation of the Virginia
Agricultural and Mechanical College to which
is to be appropriated two.thirds of the Land
Script fund coming up was discussed. but
laid on the table by decided majority
The bill authorizing the Superintendent Of
Public Instruction to employan additional clerk
w;ls ordered to be engrossed.
Several bills We're advanced to engrosslnent.
after which: the calendar being cleared, the
Senate adjourned until Tomorrow.
In the House Of Delegates bills were report
ILL.,,
meut and protest Of bills and notes in certain
cases to Incorporate the Southside University.
The following We're placed on the calendar ::
House engroSsed bills to amend the free school
law: authorizing the County Courts Of certain
counties to rcsclnd All order heretofore made by
them in regard to fences, with Senate amend
mentS 4 number of Senate bills We're also
placed upon the calandar without reference.
under the resolution adopted on Saturday. sus-
pending the rule Tor the remainder of the ses-
sion.
SO much of rule s. rs requires bills, &c.
passed by the House 10 remain with the clerk
two days before going to the Senate. was sus-
pended for the residue of the session.
The report of the conference committee on
Senate bill to provide for the organization OF
the militia. Recommending the adoption OF
the House substituted was agreed to.
House bills to regulate the sale Of poisonous
substances by druggists and others. and TO
amend the general election law. were passed.
Senate amendments to the following House
bills were agreed to- To amend the code con-
corning warrants for small claims; allowing fur
Their time for the owners Of lots in Columbia.
Fluvanna county, to build on and improve the
same: to amend the code as to qualification OF
| ~, III, ha
code in regard to the discharge of accused from
imprisonment if not indicted in 4 certain time !;
authorizing the County Courts Of certain coun-
ties to resclnd an order heretofore made by
said Courts in regard to fences: to amend the
public free school law.
Senate bill to provide for the funding and
payment of the public debt came up, the ques-
ton being upon the amendment offered by
Speaker Turner. which has been under discus
sion for three days. Mr.. Graham, of Rock
bridge. offered the following resolution:
ReSolcea. That the bill under consideration,
known as the funding BILL be recommltted to
the Committee on Finance, with Instructions to
report l. The exact amount OF the public
debt, principal and interest on the lst OF jan
uary. 1872: y The amount Of taxable property
lexcept slaves owned by Virginia at the time
of separation between Virginia and West Eir-
GINA: 8. The amount Of taxable property lex
cept slaves owned by West Virginia at the
same period; +. The amount Of the public debt
Virginia owes. adjusted on the basis Of the tax
able property of each State 5. The amount
Of tax on the 500 worth of property that will
be required to pay the ordinary expenses Of the
State government and to pay 6 per cent on the
public debt adjusted on the above basis, and to
establish the sinking fund contemplated by the
Constitution.
The resolution being withdrawn for the pres
cnt, the question was taken OH the amendment
offered Ly Mr.. Turner. and resulted in its re-
lection by ayes II. noes So.
The resolution Of Mr.. Graham was then
adoptcd-aycs iii. noes 81.
A motion was made to reconsider. Pending
this question the hour for recess arrived, and
the Speaker vacated the chair until S clock at
night
During the discussion: Mr.. Popham, (Radi-
cali asserted that if the bill faiedft would dis
rupt the Conservative party, but that if it pass
ed it would externally damn it, thus,
twill be damned if it does
And be damned if it don't,
4 rather Dccuiar fix According to Mr. who