Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-02-07
From Richmond.

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~s.leaves" asked-some for indefinite periods
and granted. The Senate with barely mem
bcrs enough present to do business, and bust
ness frequently done without a quorum, and
the House thin. Why legislation is retarded,
when the members make their attendance Il
matter of secondary consideration, is apparent,
and why an extension of the present, and
the probability of an extra session, is obvious to
to those who note proceedings, and it IS said
that wheu the debt question COMES to be CON
sidered, the absentees may be more numer-
Gus even than now. That such things should
be is wrong. especially when 1t costs the
State about 81 400 each day the Legislature Is
in session. and her credit is embarrassed by
the action of the body that thus delays and
wastes the public funds. The Senate to-
day. that is the twenty-slx members, out
of the torty.on present. passed a joint resolu-
ton looking to an adjournment on Monday,
the 4sh of March, but while this may be taken
as an earnest Of the intention OF those present,
vet it will now be impossible in the twenty
three working days remaining, to finish the
business necessary, unless 1t Is done 10 the most
hurried manner, and consequently imperfectly;
However, there Is no tear that the House VIII
concur. \. prominent member said to-day that
an extension of the present session, was a fore
gone conclusion, and that, 10 his opinion, the
Governor would have to call the body together
in extra session at once, in order to get through
with business, that must be done proper
ly, to carry on the State government. In the
mean time this delay deplete5 the treasury. and
while the creditors get no interest, the 81 500
600 is being reduced, and only those who draw
uay will be directly benefited. Reform Is
needed.
During the day the Senate-twenty-eight
members having put 10 al appearance--pa>sed
the House bill to provide for u special Court OF
Appeals, and to repeal so much of chapter lGO
of the code as relates to a special Court OF Ap-
peals. The bill provides that there shall be a
special court composed Of three circuit judges,
to be designated by the Court of Appeals to sit
at Richmond, to receive six dollars per day, and
to try such cases as the Supreme Court may
select for them.
The House bill in relation to the disposition
of the interest of the State in the james river
aud kauawha canal company. was referred.
The Senate bill to amend the act for the pro-
lection of fish in the Shenandoah river and its
tributaries, and the tributaries otthe Potomac
river west Of Shenandoah river. failed to have
a third reading for want OF the requisite mum
Der Of members.
The Senate bill to prevent the destruction of
sheep by dogs, was so amended as to be made
to apply to all the counties in the State, and
then ordered to be engrossed.
The bills in reference to the public debt. were
made the order of the day for Thursday.
In the House of Delegates, to-day: i joint
resolution looking to uniformity in the opera
ton of the Homestead law. and the suspension
OF the sale of property levied upon. until a
final decision shall be pronounced by the SUI
preme Court of Appeals, was taken up and an
amendment combining the suspension to person
al property levied upon, rejected-ayes -,
noes 50. The resolution was then ordered to
be engrossed-aye g., noes %.
Wednesday.
\ bill to establish a State Board of Health
vas passed.
The bill extending the chain-gang to all the
counties. cities and towns in the State. was
considered, and after warm opposition on the
part of the colored delegates, vas ordered to be
engrossed By a decided majority.
4 bill appropriating $500 for the purchase OF
elementary law books for the law library at
Staunton. and providing for an annual appro-
"priatiou of S2n0 towards the same object. con-
ditional upon annual contributions Of the same
value by the local bar, was rejected-ayes "a.
noes 50. \. motion to reconsider the vote pre-
vailed and the bill was rccommitted.
The following Senate bills were passed; re-
S~pecting special meetings Of the Valley railroad
company, and to make valid certain acts of
said company; to change the title and amend
the charter of the Farmville: charlottesville
and Standardsville narrow guagc railroad: to
amend the act for the relief of the late sherltfs
Of the Commonwealth: also House bills to
amend the public school act; to provide for a
disposition of the State 5 interest in the James
River and Kanawha canal company: and to
consolidate the Indebtedness of the city Of Alex
andria in one uniform issue of stock.
The Court of Appeals will hear no more
arguments during the present term. and will
probably adjourn on Saturday till the next
regular term, which commences on the 9TH Of
March. The time of the court this week will
be fully occupied in writing out its opinions on
cases already heard on arguments, oral and
printed. Y.
RICHMOND, Feb. 6.-In the Senate, to-day,
the House bill to consolidate the debt of Alex
andria was referred. ,
Two House bills amending the Public School
ActS we're passed, also, lOT tue dSSesSuleul "A
taxes on persons, lands, licenses. &C.; to pre-
vent the destruction of sheep by dogs; in rela-
ton to fishing in the Rappahannock river; in
relation to trials in which appeals may be
taken; to provide for the collection of taxes for
the year 1871 in towns not having a separate
organization, as contemplated by the Constitu-
ton for towns of 5000 Inhabitants, and TO have
such towns embraced in township limits; to in
corporate the Potomac and Manassas railroad
company; to amend the act for the protection
of fish 10 the Shenandoah river and its trlbu-
taries, and the tributaries of the Potomac
| river.
The Senate bill to provide for organization
of school boards, was discussed up to the hour
OF adjournment. =,
The Senate bill in relation to the duties and
| salary of the Secretary of the Board of Public
| Works was amended so as to go into effect on
the lst of July, and was then ordered to 2 third
reading. This bill imposes the duties of Sec
rotary of the Board OF Public Works on the
Register of the Land Office, and allows him
$500 per annum in addition to his present sal