Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1873-02-11
RICHMOND, Feb, 1873

hlCliMOND, reU,, 1919.
Dear NerS:
There has been a conference of the
conservative members of the General
Assembly since | last wrote you, and
it has been decided to change the
time of the annual meeting of that
body to the first day of Jan. in each
year. This saves $14 900 spent
heretofore in christmas holidays
1t will save as much more by way of
shortening the sessions. The farmers
will adjourn when spring comes.
The oyster bill has at length come
to the Senate, having passed the
House.
The Judiciary bill is now passing
in review before the House of Dele
gates. which when it came from the
hands of its patron and able drafts
man, Col. FulkerSon of your place,
and approved by the committee, pro-
vided for four terms of the Circuit
Courts and transfer Of the Jurisdic-
ton, DOW concurrently held by the
County and Circuit Courts to the
latter, left the County Courts, still to
be the trierS of Mills, Wills, Police,
Roads. Misdemeanor, Cases and APP
peals from Justices and paid the
Judges thereof $500 per diem. The
bill was amended by tie House so as
to give the County Courts Jurisdic-
ton of all claims under $500. o.
Gen. Walker of Pulaski has now be-
fore the House substitute for this
amendment, which will in effect re-
store the bill-and thus restored it
will now it seems pass, provided the
appointing power for election Judges
and officers is conferred upon the
Circuit Courts. This will insure it
is believed the Republican vote,
whose aid will in part be relied on to
effect the passage Of the bill. Much
interest among members is felt in
this bill, and each side is working in
earnest. The caucus also determined
to elect county Judges this term, but
nothing in that direction will be done
until after the fate Of the Judiciary
bill is known. 1t may considerably
lessen the number of aspirants of the
South Western delegation. Generals
Walker and Cummings and Col. Fulker-
son supported in able, forcible speech
es the passage of the bill, showing its
reform. retrenchment and relief. Mr..
Gray. Of Fluvana, Coghill, of Am
herst and Brook. of Faquier, made
telling speeches in favor of the bill
1t is understood that Mr.. Queen of
Scott, who has the subject well diges-
ted, will occupy the floor to>day, fol-
lowing Mr.. Booker, who offeres a
substitute, in effect to district the
State for county Judges, giving each
Judge two or more counties.
The Sout West owes much to three
gentlemen, whose names are but sci
dom seen because they never make
set.speeches. They do more howev-
er, they are always in their seats,
voting for the right, and their firms
ness and close application entities
them to the distinction Of "Model
Representatives" and recommends
them to the confidence Of the coun-
try. I mean Mr.. Jack Carter Of Rus
sell, Mr.. E. S Bishop of Lee and Mr.
VI s. Ratliff of Wise and Buchanan.
The Senate did nothing of Importance
last week exccpt..the passage of the
amendment, much the same bill as
last year. The two Houses to-day
after disposing of the morning busi-
ness adopted appropriate resolutions,
and then adjourned as token of res
pect to the late Commodore Maury,
whose goodness and greatness are
known TO all, and whose death has
cast a gloom over the civilized
world. This truly good and great
man has attained distinction but
seldom equal!ed by any of our race
Honor to his memory; he is worthy
to repose in the same soil that holds
the ashes of jackson and Lee.
The indications are for long sess-
ion and should the election of Judges
take place and there be no change in
our system we viii hardly get away
before the middle of March. [ have
now written to much and will close.
Yours &C..
p.