The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-02-22
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
RICHMOND, VA. Feb. 49, 1871

tween snow, rain and sleet, until Saturday
night. The streets are in a very uncomfort-
able condition, aad the elements are in an un-
friendly mood, rendering very unpleasant out
door movements.
Business in the Legislature drags its slow
length along, annoying and exhaustive to
the patience, OF net cn'y the people, but
che members themselves The great want Of
the body is leader There seems to be no
concert Of acton-no unity Of purpose -
There are important questions to be, Or which
should be disposed Of but from the iudica-
lions, the probability is, there will be no f.
aal satisfactory action on them. The Fund
ing Bill is still being badgercd about, with
little probability of any material modification
of its more prominent features. The House
has passed bill, introduced by Gen. Walk
81, of Pulaski, repeating the coupon clause
1t came up in the Senate, and al amendment
was offered by Judge Thomas, of Fairfax, pro-
viding for the payment of4 per cent. interest,
and issuing certificates for per cent The o.
lection to the amendment is, thatit is con.in-
uous increase of the debt Of the State by issu-
ing certificates Of Indebtedness for the remain
ing two per cent. Of the interest, at rate Of
$40, 900 annually. TIE amendment was
very ably discussed in the Senate on Saturday
by Mr.. kirkpatrick. the talented Senator
from Campbell county, in support of the idea
Of inviolability of the contract involved III
che Funding Bill, and Judge Thomas, 10
maintenance Of his amendment. Mr.. Kirk
patrick had evidently given the subject the
benefit Of a vast deal of study. He quoted
authorities and decisions, running back to CO.
fonial days, and coming down to the more re
cent judgments of the United States Supreme
Court, and argued very earnestly against the
postu,ate thaG State could not legisIate
away her taxing power. We heard part OF
his speech, and were impressed with the con
scientiousness Of the speaker and the logic
al arrangement Of his argument. The argu-
and we do not think had any other effect
than to convince the Senate that great deal
can be said on both sides fthe question. W.
did not hear the entire argument of Judge
Thomas, but it is claimed by his friends that
he fully answered the more prominent points
presented by Mr.. Kirkpatrick
From what We can learn, We are Of the opin-
ion that either the bill repeating the feature
allowing coupons to be received for taxes and
8 or per cent. interest on two thirds of the
debt, will pass, or there will be no appropri;
ton made By the Legislature to pay in
ternst at all.
Tho bill substituting q surrogate for tie
present County Court, which has passed the
Senate, has not been taken up in the House.
nor has it been reported from the House ju-
dietary committee. The probability is, that
twill be dismissed for this session, its pas
sage now being Of little practical Importance
as the county Judges hold their Offices unit
next January. IF passed by this session, it
wall be brought up next, and PROBABLY passed
in form similar to the present There is a
strong disinclinatien to rip up the present
system. more from the effect it would have
in deranging and confusing the dockets and
the expenses attending, than from favor to the
present system as an original question. 1t is,
however, believed by some, that a Convention
to revise the Constitution will not be DELAYED
many years, when such notifications as ex-
perience may suggest can be contaminated
without hazarding another experiment. Both
sides have earnest supporters, however.
The question Of re-districtng the State for
Congress, 50 as to increase the districts to nine
was up before the caucus committee Several
plans were submitted The one finally adopt
ed, throws Shenandoah, Page, Rockingham,
Augusta, Bath, Highland, Allegheny, Rock,
bridge, Botctourt and Bedford together
This plan will be modified, doubtless, when it
comes to be considered in the Legislature.
Bedford may be taken Of and Roanoke sub
stituted.
There are numerous bills Of primary i'm
portance to be considered as the asses
ment and the tax bils-the re-apportionment
bill, &C., which will necessarily consume some
time. The 80 days designated as the time
for the Legislature to sit will expire on the
4th of March. BY three fifth vote this time
may be extended to 30 days longer. It is
hardly probable that the work necessary to be
accomplished, will be consummated before
the first named data. There are so many
bills Of a purely local character which are ia
ken up and considered as personal favors,
that the time Of the Legislature is impercept-
IDLY consumed, to the exclusion of bills of
general interest. IF the Judiciary bill is
placed on the calendar in the House, it will
elicit vain discussion and probably occupy
day or two. The bill re distrcting the Con.
grcssional Districts, will likewise consume
several days, as there is great diversity Of
opinion in regard to the proper limits Of each.
So it is hardly probable an adjournment will
take place much before the expiration Of the