Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-02-13
Letter from Richmond.

IN
RICHMOND. Feb. lin the Senate, to-day
bill was introduced authorizing the sale. by
the Auditor, of the Congressional Land script
and the investment Of the fund for the benefit
of the public school system.
An adverse report was made on the bill pro-
viding for the payment to clerks OF county and
corporation courts compensation Tor services
rendered in the trial Of persons charged with
felony
The bill increasing the fees of Commissioners
in Chancery was favorably reported upon.
The Alexandria and Fredericksburg railroad
bill was taken up. and motion to postpone
defeated by 4 vote Of u to Is. The question
then required upon the substitute offered by
Mr. Herndon. which was debated by Messrs
Roller Penlleton, Johnson, Anderson, Hern-
don. Taylor of Norfolk, Courtney and Camp
bell, when the vote being taken the substitute
was reiected-ayes 10. noes 2S. Mr. Roller :
substitute was then taken up and after some
Senate adjourned
Mr.. Penn introduced bill as 4 substitute for
the bill reported from the Committee on
Schools for the disposition of the Land script
fund. which provides for sale of the script
and its investment in State bonds. the interest
thereon to be applied to the maintenance Of an
independent agricultural and mechanical college
In the House Of Delegates. 4 resolution fix
the hour Of meeting hereafter at In . clock WAS
adopted
Bills were reported authorizing the county of
Washington to borrow money to redeem and
DAY off railroad and court house bonds; amend
in@3thc act in relation 10 boards Of supervisors:
to authorize the voters of Hanover to vote on
the question of removing their court house to
Ashland; and appropriating money; for the ex-
tension of the Eastern Lunatc Asylum.
4 resolution was adopted instructlng the
Auditor of Public Accounts to report to the
House the value Of real and personal property;
subject to taxation in the State, the estimated
amount that will be raised by taxation from all
sources. upon the basis of the tax bill Of $50:
the amount of surplus that will remain from
the taxes of 1870. together with an estimate of
the amount that will be required for the sup
port Of the government for the next fiscal year.
and the amount that will be required to pay the
interest on the public debt for one year,
Mr.. Pannil offered the following resolution :;
Whereas charges have been made involving
the dignity and character of this representative
body to wit: That certain members have re-
ceived pecuniary compensation for their votes
upon certain proposed railroad charters. and
have been retained by certain railroad COM
panics. or their agents as feed counsel to adyo-
cate certain railroad policies upon this floor;
therefore be it
Resolved, That committee of five be APP
pointed with instructions to examine INTO the
validity of such charges, and report the result
Of their investigation to this House.
The resolution was amended By authorizing
the committee to send Tor persons and papers.
and then adopted.
The Alexandria and Fredericksburg Railroad
bill was then taken up. various amendments
proposed some of which We're adopted and
others rejected and pending its consideration
the House adjourned.
The railroad fight occupies attention here
Just now to the exclusion Of all other topics.
The newspapers are full Of it; the politicians
have taken hold Of it: it is discussed on the
street corners and in the parlors: in fact every
thing is made to give way to it. and although
the Senate has laid the bill on the table: but
little Of importance will be done until the ques-
ton is settled-vhich. it is hoped will be short
". as the people outside must be getting Very
tired OF 1t.
In the trial Of i Fire Escape at the thea
ire to-day. while three men We're making the
experiment of an Escape from third story
window. the rope broke and they fell to the
ground. each receiving serious injuries.
Attorney General Jackson has gone u Wash
ington to argue the case of Virginia Is Vest
Virginia. involving the status Of Jefferson and
Berklcy counties, before the [. ). Supreme
Court. which case. it is expected. will come up
on Monday.