Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-02-20
From Richmond.

RICHMOND, Feb. l9-As usual ,on Mondays,
the attendance of members of the respective
houses of the Legislature, to-day, was SLIM
sos!im that had question been raised, it is
more than doubtful whether constitutional
majority could have been obtained in the Sen
ate, while the House was but little better off,
and this too, when, between now and the 4th
of March, there remains but eleven days IN
which to DO nearly all that has to be done. 1t
is difficult TO know how members can reconcile
such neglect with q proper sense OF duty, when
by this very course. they must know that the
State will be put to great expense: aud the en-
actment of the necessary laws unnecessarily de-
laycd
The debt question was further discussed in
the Senate to-day, but laid on the table, and a
resolution adopted, by the casting vote OF the
President, to take vote on the House bill on
Wednesday, at half-past one 0 clock. 80 mote
it be. .."
The Land Scrip bin was taken up in the
House Of Delegates, but laid aside Tor the con-
sidcration of the assessment bill, which was dis
cusscd nearly al day TO beg@arly account OF
empty benches
The Senate without count passed the
following bills 10 incorporate the town OF
West Point; to incorporate Norwood college: to
authorize the formation Of the Allegheny
| Springs railroad company; to incorporate the
Arlington Land and Loan company; relating to
tolls on turnpikes, out Of order: to incorporate
the North River railroad company; to regulate
the imposition, assessment and collection OF
taxes for the support Of pubic free schools by
counties and school districts. and to repeal GER
tain clauses in relation to schools; tolncHrporate
the Sutfo k Collegiate Institute; amending the
cnde in relation to iurlesln civil cases, anu LAID
unon the table these bills TO provide for sub
mission to the people Of the proposed amcud-
ment tn the constitution in relation to usllry;
authorizing the Board of Education to pay Ger
tain claims against the literary fund: aud TO ad.
Indicate the claim of Washington and lee
University.
The House passed bills to amend the code in
regard to fishing in the Rappahaunock river; to
amend the charter Of The Potomac and Alaras-
s.s railroad canlpany; to amend the code III re-
lation to the release Of an Insane wife interest
in really 20 amend the code in re;ation TO the
records at large of courts: to Incorporate the
town of Mount jackson. Shenandoah county,
to Incorporate the Blue Ridge Springs company,
and to amend the charter OF the Masonic Hall
Association of HarrIsonburg, and dismissed the
bills to amend the code IN relation to actions III
which appeals may be taken, aud IN relation to
fees for affidavitS
TIE Senate bill to amend the code in regard
to the compensation OF justices OF the peace,
and to amend the same i'll regard to persons cx
eulpt from jury service, was favorably reported
upon by the House committee.
The House Committee for Courts reported
it incxpedient to lcgi>late on resolution asking
the abolition OF the punishment by stripes and
the establishment OF wOlk houses which report
Was adopted.
a number Of bills were introduced in the
Senate, to-day among them to amend the act
in relation to the duties OF the clerks OF Cor
poration Courts; to amend the ID section OF the
act in relation to the County Courts; making
The Secretary Of the Commonwealth keeper OF
the rolls and prescribing his duties in connec-
ton Herewith; appointing Geo. W. Bag by
librarian and the clerk Of the Secretary OF the
! Commonwealth assistant librarian; to amend
section a of the act to provide for a general
election, and amendatory Of acts relating to
criminal procedure.
The House Committee on Counties, Cities
and Towns was instructed to report, without
delay, bills to amend the road law and the regis
traton law.
A bill has passed both Houses of the Gener
al Assembly authorizing the drawing of venires
for trial of civil causes composed ofslxtecn men
instead of twenty-eight as heretofore.
There is to be conference OF the Conserva-
tive members of the Legislature tomorrow
night, to receive thcreport Of the committee OF
twenty four upon re-apportlonment OF the State
for representation in Congress- y.