Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-01-13
Letter from Richmond.

porto ming the State for Senators ndDelegates
is Of ain being agtated. Last night meeting
of the committee of the Conservative members
Of. the Legislature was held, at which majority
and minority reports of sub committee were
presented, and the whole subject Of re-appor-
tionment fully discussed. The minority report
favored re districting and the right on the
part of the Legislature to increase or diminish
the number of Senators and Delegates at will,
and that the right is with the Legislature to
unseat the four years Senators rendering new
election necessary for the whole Senate
The minority contended that to unseat the four
wears Senators would be Il violation of the Con-
stitution, but arc of opinion that there should
be a re-apportionment Of the districts, without
any increase OF dimunition as to members.
After long debate and the citation of many
authorities on both sides, the committee finally
decided, by a vote Of nine to tcn that the
Legislature had not the power to unseat the
four wears Senators, 1t was then agreed by Il
neorlv two thirds vote that it was competent for
the Legislature to decrease the number of Scna-
tors and Delegates and upon the question of
the right to decrease the number OF Senatorial
districts to reasonable extent, there was no
disscntion.
The committee ad loumed to meet on Mon
day night next, by which time it is expected
that the plan for Il rc-appOrtiOnment will have
been digcsted, and a bill will be ordered to be
prepared carrying out the views of the commit
| fec Jpon this there will be diversity OF
opinion in both Houses, as there was in the
committee, in reference to the four years Sen
ators, and it will probably take some time to
arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Snowden, in the
Senate Yesterday amending the law in refer
ence to holidays, fixes Sunday, the first day OF
january, twenty second Of February. fourth OF
July, twenty-iifth of December and such days
as the Governor may appoint Tor 1astor thanks
giving, as holidays, and that notes, drafts, Nc.
falling due on citherof the days mentioned shall
be payable on the succeeding day. unless such
holidays full on Sunday:in which event Monday
shall be observed, and the note, NC, payable on
the succeeding Tuesday,
Mr.. Latham's bill. introduced yesterday.
amending the law in reference to the power OF
Judges to remove clerks and Commonwealth $
Attorneys, provides that they shall be removed
for gross incompetcncy, in addition to the
causes already provided inr in the code.
The Committee on General Laws, OF the
Senate, have reported that it is incxpedicnt to
legislate further upon the fence law, thereby
permitting the present law to remain as 1t Is.
The Committee on Courts of Justice have re-
ported adversely upon the adjustment Of whip
ping for petit larceny
4 bill to incorporate the conference OF ST.
Mary of the Society Of st. Vincent of Paul Ill
the city of Alexandria, was introduced and re-
ferred in the Senate to-day.
The Committee on Courts Of Justice have
reported bill repeating the act regulating con-
tracts between white and colorcd persons,
The same committee have reported bill
fixing the term ofimprisonment for horse steal
ing at not more than eighteen and not less than
five years in the pcnitcntiary.
The public debt question has occupied a great
er portion ofthe time of the Senate to-day. and
by vote of ayes 10 to noes Ii, II WAS determ-
ined that it should not be stated in the resolu-
tons that the amount due by West Virginia
should be paid to the creditors, but that that
question should be left open--it being contend
ed that the Constitution Of the State provides
that the amount due and owing by West Fir-
State and it was further determined by Il vote
Of 20 to IA to retain the clause referring the
award of the arbitrators back to the Leglsl;l-
lures of the respective States for their rtifca-
ton, after which the resolutions were adopted
by vote of 81 to $50 that the Senate have
agreed to appoint arbitrators to adjust the
debt with West Virginia, and to decide what
proportion is to be borne by each State, the re-
suit of the arbitration to be referred back to the
Legislatures of the respective States for ratfca-
ton.
The bill modifying the charter of Washing
ton College and changing the name to Washing
ton and Lee University, was passed, as was the
bill regarding rule days amending the pres
ent lawso as to conform to the existing State OF
affairs omitting quarterly Courts, &c.
In the House of Delegates the jury bill was
ordered to a third reading by ayes 60, noes AZ.
The bill, it will be remembered, conicrs upon
the county Judges the same powers and duties
possessed by the County Courts
The bill authorizing sale to the company Of
the States interest in the O., A. d NJ. rail
road company was discussed by Messrs. Hill,
Budd and Bell, Of Augusta, and amended
when, on motion of Mr.. Bell, the bill was passed
by-ayes GO, noes 5l-for the purpose of hay
ing printed two substitutes offered by him and
Mr.. Mahood, both of which look to making
the bill general one for selling out the interest
Of the State in all internal improvement COM
panies.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Budd. that
after the transfer Of one-twelfth of the stock,
each person holding share shall be entitled to
one vote for each such share, was adopted, but
another amendment providing for the transfer
of the voting power Of the stock held as Sc
curity, was defeated, 36 to 4S.
Among the bills passed were: amending the
charter of the town of Warrenton, with amend
ments; incorporating the Bank of Virginia of
Richmond, and incorporating the Lee memorial
association
The Knights Of Pythias arc in council here,
and among those present, in attendance, are
Messrs. Latham, Warfeld, Boynton, G.. l..
Simpson, and W. Fl. May, of Alexandria.
At meeting of the West Point land COM
pany held on Tuesday, it was resolved to
! make reduction in the price at which the
lands have heretofore been held. The property
comprises about $500 acres of valuable land
and 700 acres of marsh
There was no mcctinr Of the Hnucn (lOnmiit foo