Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-12-10
s;Es:sys s:E4'gfEEDS :

ms: summer.
E'Et:?IE RICHMOND.
THE INTEREST QUEST ION.
RICHMOND, Dec. 9.--Among the important
questions that arc to come before the Leglsla-
turc al this session. is thar Of the lega! rate OF
interest and so diversified are the views of
members upon this important subject that 1t Is
difficult 10 say what course will be pursued.
Mv. Thomas cf Fairfax, has Il proposition,
looking ~ i discrimination between ''commer-
cia paper and Ordinary Contracts the for
mer to b. taxed for revenue for the prvl-
lege' of such discrimination, but as the Consti.
tuition provides that all taxation shall be equal,
and the mercantile communities already have
to bear full proportion Of the burden Of taxa
ton. il would seem rather un just that com
mcrcial'' paper should be put under a ban and
made less desirable than ordinary contracts.
Why there should exist any antagonistic feeling
between the country and cities on this subject
is hard to say, both being dependent, the one
on the other but that such is the case there Is
no denying, and as All additional proof, to-day
a resolution was introduced in the Senate en-
curing into the eypediency of repeating the
present law in relation to interest, and liking
the rate of interest at six per ccntun per an-
nun, hu; allowing by special contract eight per
cent. to be charged upon loans at twelve
months time and over, pretaced by preamble
setting forth that tine tendency Of the present
interest laws IN this State is to attract capital
from the rural districts into the cities, to the
great detlimcnt Of the agricultural interests OF
the Commonwealth ;" In the multiplicity Of
propositions that will, doubtless, be brought
forward it will not be surprising if the old e
per Ct rate is not restored, or no action what
ever taken the latter OF which is not i'm
probable.
CONVICT LABOR
The complaint against convict labor is again
raised and the Senate Committee on Public
Institutions has been instructed to enquire into
the eypcdicncy of amending the criminal laws
of the State, and fully carrying out system Of
solitary confinement, and as the present peni
tertiary is already overhowing notwithstand-
ing the number OF couvlcts hired out on varl-
Gus works of internal improvement, the same
committee is further instructed to enquire into
the cxpcdicncy Of gradually erecting new pen
itcntiary at some suitable place adapted III every
respect to the execution ofthc proposed change
in the punishment Of convcts, or to inquire
into the exp:diency Of abolishing the pentcn-
! tiury at once or at some period III the future,
and imposing upon the counties OF the State
the duty CT inaugurating and enforcing a sys-
TEN of solitary confinement. 1t is considered
by the proposcr Of this move that solitary con.
tincment is productive of the most salutary
results, aud that then this convict labor will not
be brought into competition with honest indus
tlv. On the other hand it is contended by those
who have given the subject much attention.
that hard work is the scvercst punishment that
eau be Inflicted upon mankind in general, but
conyctsin particular. 1t Is not probable, how
ever, that anything will be done in reference to
the >nhicct at this session
TANES
The Committee on Finance of the Senate
have been instructed to report an assessment
and tax bill! at the earliest practicable day-a
move in the right direction. The same com
mittee have also been instructed to enquire into
the expcdieucy of exempting from taxation, in
future, all bouds or other securities taken for
the loan of money upon real estate.
LEGISLATIVE.
\ large number of bills, resolutions, &C.,
were introduced into both Houses of the Gen
cral Assembly to-day, and the body may be
said to have gotten fairly under way with Its
work. II the really important subjects that
have to be considered are taken up and acted
upon without unnecessary delay, the people
will be better satisfied and time and money will
be saved
In the Senate resolutions were introduced
and referred, looking to amending the laws of
the State so as to restore the right of appeal
from decisions rendered by justices of the
peace to the County Courts; whether it is cx
pedient to replace the Houdon Statue of Wash
ingtou in its former position in the Capitol, or
to provide some other suitable place for the
same. lit should be put back;] to authorize
two justices. of the peace instead of three, to
enquire and decide whether person bea luna.
tic and ought to be confined in an asylum;
amending the Constitution in reference to
county organizations; amending the act relating
to fences and the protection Of crops so as to
modify the 5th section as to the portion of
county lying within the criminal jurisdiction of
city or town; authorizing the formation of
sub. school district in Mt Giead and Jefferson
townships, in the county of Loudoun, and pro-
vding for the erection Of school buildings 10 the
same; directing the sale Of real estate purchased
by the Commonwealth for taxes previous to the
18th day of April, 1861; providing for site
.or State Reform School and the erection
Of suitable buildings thereon: authorizing the