Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-02-20

Cannot this county try the experiments?
The bill repeating the clause Of the Funding
act, which authorizes the receipt of coupons in
payment of taxes and public dues, was passed
Wednesday last In the House Of Delegates by
vote of vote 95 to 10. 3@
The Roanoke Times is the authority for the
statement that, within the past month fourteen
black bears have been killed within ten miles
of Salem, Va.
W. B. Stokes, tried in Washington for pres
ecutlng fraudulent claims against the govern
ment, while a member of Congress, has been
found guilty.
GENERAL. ASSEMBLY DF VIRGINIA.
ATE.-Tuesday, Feb. l3.-The following
bills were presented and referred TO Commit
tees:
By Mr.. Cochran Providing a charter for
the city of Stanton
By Mr. Roller: To incorporate the Harri-
sonburg. Eridgewater and West Augusta rail
road.
HOUSE. Mr.. Booker, from the special COM
mttee appointed to investigate the charges that
the funding bill had been passed through the
last Legislature by bribery and corruption, pre-
sented a report setting forth that In pursuance
OF the instructions of the House they had pro-
ceeded to summon various witnesses, to be by
them examined, and among those called and
examined was one John W. Jenkins, to whom
the chairman of the committee put certain ques-
tons which the witness refused to answer for
reasons stated by him. The witness was asked
to n2.me the party by whom he was employed
and the amount Of the fee. This question he
c.eclined to answer. on the grounti that the
Legislature had no right to know the, names of
his clients or the amount of his fees, and be-
cause he did not know whether his client would
care to have his name known; at the s. anne time
he avowed his Willingness to answer tn ques-
tIons so far as he was personally conce rned.-
Subsequently, being asked the same que 'stions,
he persisted In his refusal In view Of these
facts the committee recommended the adoption
of the following resolution: @
''Resozued That the Serg Arms of
this House be directed to take the body of Jno
w. jenkins into custody, and him safely keep
until he shall have purged hir nself of the said
contempt by answering the qut sstions PROFOUND
ed him by said committee
Mr.. Booker explained the position of the
committee, and after he concl uded the resolu-
ton was unanimously agreed to.
Mr. Walker introduced (na der suspension
OF the rulesl bill amendatory Of the funding
act of March 30th, 1871. Il re-enacts that act
In part, but provides for the repeal of the Sec
ton which makes coupons of the bonds issued
Hereunder receivable for axes. and substitutes
therefor the following:
No person now or hei eafter authorized to
collect or receive taxes, del DTS, dues or demands,
due or to become due to he State of Virginia
shall receive In payment thereof or any part
therefor any coupon or c',upons heretofore or
herafter issued under t ne provisions of this
act.
On the further motion of Mr.. Walker. the
bill by the necessary vote of SO yeas) was read
second time and plac ed on the calend ar.
The pending question being upon the e. ugross-
ment and third readiug Of the bill.
Mr. Daniel moved. to pass by, and urge d that
this was rapid legislation.
Mr.. Booker spoke In favor of the bill.
Mr.. Sutherlin moved to amend by pro vision
for the payment of the interest on the public
debt due January l, 1872
Mr. Brooke moved to amend the amendment
by providing for the payment of two per cent.
semi-annually for the year 1872
Both amendments were opposed by Mr.. Cog
bill on the ground that they would endap ger
the passage of the BILL
The amendment of Mr.. Brooke was rejected
ayes, Is noes, go. The amendments Of Mr..
Sutherlin was also rejected.
The question recurring upon the ep grossment
and third reading of the bill, it was decided in
the athrmatlve-ayes, SO; noes, 49,
A motion to reconsider was then made and
lost
Mr. Critz, under suspension of the rules.
introduced bill to provide for the payment of
interest three per cent annually on the whole
OF the funded debt and upon two-thirds of the
unfunded debt which was placed on the caen-
dar.
Mr.. Sutherlin moved to suspend the rules so
that the bill might be read third time TO-DAY.
helected 1or lack OF constitutional vote-ayes,
So; noes, SO.
SENATE. w ednesday, Feb. l4.-Senate hill
to regulate the imposition, assessment and coI.
lection of taxes for the support of public free
schools by counties and school districts was dis
cussed for two hours and was pending at adj
journment.
HOUsE.-Mr. Booker reported from the COM
mlttee to investigate the charge of bribery in
connection with the passage of the Funding act,
that John W. Jenkins, who, under the res olu-
ton OF the House, had been arrested and
brought before the committee, still refused to
answer questions propounded to him as to who
employed him, to lobby for the Funding act and
the amount paid him for his services. The
committee report stated that Mr.. j., disclaim
ed any purpose to commit contempt and de-
handed to be brought to the bar of the House.
After some remarks by Mr.. Booker. the Honse
ordered that Jenkins be brought to the bar of
the House by the Sergeant-at-Arms. When
escorted IN Dy the Sergeant he still de-
cllned to answer the questions unless first al
lowed to state his reasons and cite authorities |
sustaining his right of refusal. The House re-
fused to allow him the privilege, and directed |
that he remain In the custody of the Sergeant
alarms until further orders.
Mr.. Walkers bill-providing for the repeal |
of the coupon feature of the Funding bill
which was ordered to it's engrossment Tuesday. |
was, on Mr.. VS. motion, taken up and passed |
by the vote of-ayes "a, noes 10.
The Senate bill imposing tax on dogs was
warmly discussed An effort was made to amend /
it by striking out the clause applying the tax |
in support of free schools, and to provide for |
applying 1t to the indemnity of those whose
sheep have been killed by dogs. This was yot-
ed down.
Mr. Anderson moved to dismiss the bill |
making the point that, according to the Con,
stitution, no other than an adj uolorens tax can
be imposed and the further point that a doc
l.oo,, Ill r. -