The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-01-09
LEGISLATIVE.


ton Of railroad companies in the State of Vlr-
GINA. 1t provides that any number of natu-
raj persons. not less THAI five, at least three of
whom shall be citizens Of Virginia, may be-
come body corporate for the purpose Of con-
structing railroad, &c., &c.
This is the much talked Of free railroad
bill, about which everybody has heard It
consists of twenty-six sections. The. bill was
referred to the Committee on Roads aud In
ternal Navigation.
It is to be hoped that law similar in i'm
port will be passed this session. It should
be the policy of the State to encourage the
formation Of companies to develop the wealth
Of the State through the instrumentslity of
internal Improvements, and at the same time
that it accomplishes this desirable object, re-
move from the Legislature, very prolific
source of acrimonious discussion and waste of
money.
TAX ON INTEnEsT.-The vote by which
the bill to amend and re-enact section 63 of
chapter 1856, Acts of IS7l-'72, as to collec-
ton of tax on coupons had been rejected,
was reconsidered-- 80, noes l ; aud the
bill was then passed The effect of the
amendment will be to tax all interest on the
bonds Of the State, whether funded or unfuu
ded, at the rate Of fifty cents on the hundred
dollars market value Of the bonds from which
such interest is derived, as Of the 1st day of
| May Of each year. Such tax to be retained
out of all interest due and payable at the
| Treasury, and to be deducted by all collect
ing officers from the amount of all coupons
presented to them in payment of taxes, and
to be by them paid into the Treasury. 1t
exempts such bonds in the hands Of all hold
ers, from the property tax and assessment
therefor.
/ STATE DEBT.--On Friday, the Bird inst,
bill designed to cxtrcate the Commonwealth
from the present financial difficulty under
which it labors, was introduced iuto the
House of Delegates, by Mr.. Clopton, which,
10 substance, is as follows:
The bill aboishes all taxes by the State
upon real and personal property. Itprovdes
that the State capitation tax shall be separate e.
ly collected by the State collecting officers
and paid into the Treasury, subjecttto the
order ofths Superintendent Of Public Iustruc-
tion, to be applied by him to the support of
public schools, as required by the Constitu-
ton.
1t provides that the Auditor shall annually,
on the first Monday in March, estimate the
amount which will be necessary during the
year for the support of the government, the
public free schools, and to pay three per
cent. on the public debt, and shall assess up
on each county, city ard town the quota
which each county. city and town shall pay.
It provides that the boards Of supervisors
and councils shall annually, on the first Mon
day in April, make levy to meet the pay
ment Of their respective quotas
The quota of each county, city and town is
to be estimated by the proportion which Il 9
total real and personal property Of each
county, city and town bears to the total real
and personal property Of the State appearing
on the assessors and commissioners books
in the Auditors Office, but the Auditor is not
permitted, in making assessment, to exceed
an amount which can be raised by tax of
fifty cents on the hundred dollars in value OF
1 property, which is the same as the present
State tax.
This, we are Informed. is the manner in
which funds for the support Of government
are raised in several Of the States, and in the
State of New York, the IAN is said to have
worked to great advantage.
| The bill provides for carrying into effect
the Leading provisions above stated
The coupons issued under the Funding bill
are not receivable for levles made by coun-
ties. cities and towns, and it will be perceived
at glance that by this system revenue car
be raised for the support of the government
without an increase Of the present rate o.
tax.
4 PAYMENT OF TAxEs.--On the 4th, House
bill to repeal an act in force March 7, 1872
declaring what shall be resolved in paymen,
Of taxes, again came up gu its engrossment
the pending question being Mr.. Poague's mo.
tion to postpone, which he withdrew by unan.
imous consent.
/ Mr.. Robertson offered an amendment te
the bill, by way of substitute, as follows:
| 1. Be it enacted BY the General Assembly
Of Virginia. That hereafter it shall not b.
lawful for the officers charged with the col
lection Of taxes or other demands of the State
due now or that shall hereafter become due
to receive in payment thereof anything else
than geld or silver coin, United States Treas
ury notes, notes Of the National banks Of the
| United States, or the coupons Of the bonds
issued prior TO the 9Th Of March, 1872, under
the act to provide for the funding aud pay
nent of the public debt, approved March 80
1871.
Senator Roller has introduced bill in the
Legislature to enable the Presbyterian church
OF Harrisonburg to receive and hold bequest
under the will of Anne Davidson, decd.
Also, bill Incorporating the Augusta
mining and Improvement Company.
The same Senator moved the Committee
for courts of Justice inquire into the expedi
eacy Of more clearly defining the competen-
cy or incompetency of the evidence Of par
ties to suit.
By the same, as to what legislation is nee
essary TO protect the interests of drovers and
other shippers Of live stock on railroads.
| CLAIMs--M E. Peasants, commissioner
| of claims, will soon start on visit through
the Valley Of Virginia, to take the testimony
of all claimants before the Southern claims
| ,,ou douirn IN haua s,ch