Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-02-11
FROM RICH 7EDSD.
LEGISLATIVE

an adverse report was made upon the bill az
rendlnu the jurisdiction of justices in civil eases
to one HUNDRED dollars; also upon the rcSolu
ton proyidia. that a sing c wo,Dan shall not
be liable after marriage for any antl-nuptlal
debt of her husband.
| The bill in reference to Judgment hens was
| repnrted urou iavOrahly.
Bills were Introduced III relation 10 the num-
Der O! State cadets ut The Virginia Military Ia
| s,itutc: 10 Increase Tie number oil Safe stu
denis ar the University Of Virginia; for the
encouragement of land purchasers and actual
settlers 10 Virginia; to provide FIR the cstah-
lshmcnt of the Southern lunatic asylum. anu
| in reference to suits against the Common
| wealth.
\ resolution was Introduced c; quiriag into
the cxpcdicucy Of providing by law that no
Court of this Commonwealth shall have au-
thority to declare any Jaw null and void BY
reason of its repuguance to the Federal Cou-
stituton or the Constitution OF the State, ex-
cent the Supreme Court Of Appeals, as provld-
cd in section two, Of article six Of the CJnsitu-
ton of this State
The Joint committee on the Alau:y memorial
presented ii report recommending that no
more fitting aud proper testimonial could be
mad. than the construction OF a light house on
the Il COS l,laudS bearing his nane and srrv
Ing as a bracou light to the culnlnercc OF the
world, so that every passing traveller on the
high road may pay tllbute OF respect and
cherish with gratitude the memory OF HIM to
whose labors The world is so greatly indebted
for its knowledge of the physical geography
Of the ocean, &C." The report was adopted.
The bill in reference to Judgment liens and
the joint resolution extending the time for the
uuahcation oi The Auuitur Of the State, were
passed.
The bill in reference to extending the jurs-
diction Vi justices of the peace, was laid on the
table after discussion.
In the House of Delegates number Of bills
were advanced on he clleudar, inc uilng the
bill to pay II. y. Wise for his services as
Virginia commissioner iu The Maryland boun-
Diary case.
Uuder suspensions Of the rules resolutions
were in,rouucld instrucing the Committee gu
Finance 10 report bill for the Immediate can
collation. OF al State bonds purchased and re-
tired by The Commissioners OF the Sinking
Fund.- and authorizing and empowering the
Governor to institute such proceedings or SUI
as he may decm proper for The settlement OF
the boundary between Virginia and Maryland.
4 bill was passed amending the charter OF
the Female Humane Association, OF the ely OF
Richmond; also bill amending the code i'll re-
latiou to vacaucics in the Office 0l Governor and
Lieutenant Governors also bill authorizing the
York River railroad to subscribe for certain
stock; also bill IL relation to aids 10 the Gov.
ernor.
The bill devovng the duties at present per-
formed by the Superintendent II Pubic Bull;i-
ings on the Register of the General Land
Office, without pay, was ordered to be en-
crossed.
Pending the consideration of the bill ircor-
pora,ing the Virginia Chemical and Mining
Company, the House adjourned
CASE OF W. D. COLEMAN.
The case Of W. d. Coleman Secretary OF
the Board Of Public Works, charged with the
misrepresentation of bonds in his charge to the
amount OF SS.OOO Is sad one. lie Is well
known III Richmond aud throughout the State
gen, rally. He was Confederate postmaster
at Danvlle during the war, and just before its
close got authority 70 raise req Ucut OF color
ed troops After the war he was at one time
associate editor of the Enquirer. leaving which
he was appointed by Governor Walker tenn
poraly clerk 10 the Executive department.
About three years ago Mr.. Thomas Fl. Dewitt,
Secretary of the Board of Public Works for
many years, was removed and Mr.. Coleman
put in his place. Mr.. Coleman was found at
his lodgings, corner Capitol and Tenth streets,
and Oh being acc0Sted evlnced 10 surprise, but
proceeded very soon thereafter 10 make an in
cison in lis neck with pcnknite, from which
: blood flowed freely. 1t appeared from an after
examinations that he had also been drinking
chlorotorm, with the Intention of ending his
life lie was held in custody in his Owl loom
under guard until such time as he shall be able
to appear before justice
According to the Journal, Mr.. Coleman $
Illicit use Of bonds was thus discovered: "A
few days ago member Of the Legislature heard
from some one cognizant Of the fact that the
proprietor Of a faro bank near the Exchange
Hotel had exhibited Virginia 'pceIcr bond
for 81 900, which, he said he had received
from Col Coleman. Satisfied that something
was wrong, the mcmEer referred to impaired
his information to Gov. kcmper, who sum
moucd the board, made an examination, aud
found that Mr. e. was guilty. Suspicion was
first directed towards him last Thursday. since
which time, up to yesterday, the board had
been pursuing It's Investigations.
Yesterday Mr.. Dewitt was appointed Secrc
tary pro tenn Of the Board OF Public Works,
which position he held for SO mauy years with
great credit.
MISCELLANEOUS.
| At the last session of the l. gislature the
committee appointed to investigate the sale of
the States interes, 10 the Richmond and Dan
vile Railroad Company discovered that the
clerk Of the Board of Pubic Works had made
a mistake against the Stale Of $4,000 suit
TO recover this amount is about to be coul-
mcnced by the Attorney General. Suit has
also been instituted against the same company
to recover to the State about 5000, 900, said to
be due on the States interest purchased BY
Col. Thomas Scot Of the Pennsylvania Central
Railroad
The Committee 90 Military Affairs of the
House of Delegates arc considering bill for the
more thceut organization of the militia of the
State.
Gov. Kemper has declined TO approve the
bills tor the payment of panitcntary guards not
authorized by law
The State Journal Of this evening says -
Since the citizens of WcsI mureand sent their
petition TO the House OF Del gates, asking leg