Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-01-14
FROM RICHMOND.
LEGISLATIVE.


amend an act to protect the oyster beds III the
waters of the Commonwealth, and to amend
the act appropriating the income arising trom
the proceeds Of the land scrip, NC, with
amendments.
A petition was presented from citizens OF
Mount Vernon township, Fanquler county,
asking for a repeal of the fence law ID that
township.
A bill was introduced to amend the act to
establish and maintain uniform system OF pub
lie schools; and resolutions enquirlng into the
expediency of authorizing the Board OF Public
Works to sell the States interest lie the Rich
mopd Fredericksburg and Potomac Rallroad
of providing by law for per diem compensa-
ton to the school trustees to be paid out OF the
district school fund; Of so amending the present
Constitution as TO provide that each county OF
the State shall have at least one representative
of its own in the House of Delegates; of SO
amending section ., article OF the Constltu-
ton in regard to public free schools as to pro-
vide that each county shall have its own Super
intendent, and that he shall be elected BY the
people of such county instead OF being appoint
ed by the Board of Education.
a resolution declaring that the bill to amend
the charter of the Petersburg railroad com-
pany is not subject to tax, and lnstructlng
the Committee on Roads to proceed to Its con
sideration, was laid on the table, whercupon
another declaring that the Petersburg railroad
company has paid into the treasury the SUN OF
$5,047 80, being the amount OF tax assessed
by the auditor, and instructing the Committee
on Roads to proceed TO its consideration and
have the same printed, was introduced
The bill authorizing the supervisors OF Caro-
line county to grant lot OF land IN the town
of Port Royal to the Baptist Church, was or
dercd to be engrossed.
The Senate bill providing that six per cent.
shall be the legal rate of interest being the Or
der of the day, was taken up and discussed un-
til adjournment
In the House of Delegates bills we're report
ed to regulate and define the jurisdiction OF
the county and circuit courts; to prescribe the
number of terms Of the circuit courts, and to
fix the pay of county judges; and to authorize
the payment Of twelve month interest on the
literary fund for the benefit of public free
schools
Bills were passed to provide for the removal
of certain causes from the docket Of the special
court of appeals to the docket Of the supreme
court Of appeals; to amend an act to prescribe
the times for holding the circuit courts OF the
State; and to amend the law prescribing the
duties and compensation Of certain township
officers.
Bills and resolutions were introduced, to
amend the code in relation to certain debts due
the Virginia Military Institute; as to the prac-
ticability of providing, by law, for the better
protection Of farmers against spurious fertlll-
zers to amend the code in relation to fisheries;
Joint resolution mcmorlalizlng Congress to
modify the law imposing Il tax On tobacco; and
Joint resolution proposing amendments to the
constitution.
The bill to amend the code for preventing
crime was dismissed.
THE STATE FINANCES GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
The Governor, to-day, sent to the Senate a
message 10 response to a resolution requesting
his views on the financial condition of the
State and as to the best method Of paying the
State debt, which covered thirty-one pages OF
foolscap. The Governor recommends the re-
duction of the principal of the debt by the sale
and application of the proceeds of assets OF the
railroad bonds and stock and non-productive
property of the State, by which the proportion
of the debt assumed by Virginia will be reduc-
ed to $26, 100000, the annual interest upon
which will be Sl,5CU,O00. He suggests GER
tain changes and reforms in the State govern
ment further reducing the annual expenses to
$500, 900; the equalization and correction OF
assessments, and the more thorough taxation
of personal property, by which the total asses
sed valuation Of real and personal property will
reach $500, 900, the annual tax upon which
will be 1000, 900. The tax from other sources
is estimated at $S00,O0O, making total reve-
nue. of $2,SO0,000 of which $500, 900 is to be
appropriated to schools, leaving balance of
j., 400, 900 available to pay the interest on the
public debt, and pay the current expenses OF
the State government. He says the interest
upon the bonds funded under the funding act
must be paid, and no mode of avoiding it can
be devised, even if desired. He shows that
the interest due and unpaid on these bonds on
the first of January, 1873, and that which will
fall due by the first of January, 1874, will
amount to nearly $4,000 900, which amount,
added to other Indebtedness falling due during
the current year, makes total of over $4, 26O,-
600 to be provided for by the lst of January,
1874 The Governor says that his opinion has
been deliberately formed, and every estimate
carefully made and if his recommendations are
adopted the result desired will be realized.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY 1TEMs.-Mr.
James Vowels aged y years, died on the
18th of December, at the residence Of MIR.
Matthew Priest in this county. Mr.. Y. was
native of Talbot county, Nd, but had been
resident Of this county upwards of thirty
years He was a member Of the order of Free
and Accepted Masons, and probably the oldest
member of that order living in the county. He
was buried in the family burryiug ground Oh
the farm of Mr.. Priest.
On motion OF Judge C. f. Sinclair rule
was entered against Mr. Geo. W. Jones by
the Court, on Monday last, to show cause why
he should not be removed from the office Of
constable, for having charged improper fees,
Mr.. Jones contends that the fees charged
were proper.
Mr.. Charles II. Wilmington, telegraph oper.
ator for the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany at this place, was taken down few days
ago with severe attack otiuaamatory rheuma-
tism Mr.. H. S. Sneed of Gordousville has
taken his place until he gets able to resume his
duties.
We learn that Mrs Vanderhoof, the widow
of man by that name, who purchased farm
near Nokesville, about year ago, is in very
destitute circumstances, her husband having
died leaving the widow and six children with,
out support