The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-02-25
evening state Su,srital'
CAPITOL NOTES.

ton, II was esteemed an houoT VI III oi"i
magnitude to be member of the Virginia
Legislature, and four dollars per diem,
with its accessories Of beef and plum pud-
ding, was deemed so ample return for
services rendered as to lift itself out Of the
region of being sneezed at with impunity.
It is nevertheless true that in those days
four dollars would buy more than double
what eight dollars will now. For
instance, very fair French brandy could
be had for $3.50 per gallon whisky for
about five cents a quart; eggs for eight
cents per dozen, and butter and coffee
about the same per pound. 1t is ques-
ton, however, whether four dollars per
diem was and is not ample remuneration
for any services rendered the state by the
average legislator, either of this or pre-
ceiling era. In the aggregate they do very
little, and that little is very long drawn
out. The present rate Of per diem was
introduced in the Alexandria Legislature
during the war, when Virginia was run
ming also machine of the same sort here
in Richmond. The government at Alex
andria claimed to represent Virginia, and
did actually represent, during nearly all
the war, Alexandria and a radius of about
three miles around that city, and for time
the vicinity of Hampton, part Of Norfolk
city and anochryphal parts of other isolated
or distant places in the state. The
Alexandra Legislature, when full,
possibly embraced six or seven
members and a speaker, and the Senate
about four members, with the Lieutenant
Governor as presiding officer. A body OF
so few members, and having command OF
ample funds, had tight to fix their pay
at liberal advance en- former prices, and
they did it. Revolutions never 60 back
ward, and so when the rebellion was
squelched and DEMONSTRATION" legisla-
lures and state Unconstitutional Conven-
tions'' became the order in this vicinity,
we find about the only things done by the
Alexandra Legislature which was not
heartily damned on all sides, to be the in.
crease of pay voted themselves by the
handful of legislators at Alexandra DUR
ing the war. This per diem was readily
voted here afterwards as the daily reward
of about a couple of hundred men for SER
vices as statesmen during various periods,
the majority of whom, in other less con-
spicuous positions before these times, had
never been able to earn so much in week
by real hard work. The rate of six dol
lars has since continued to be the per diem
of the Virginia legislator of the new era.
Many of them during the last contest
for Legislative honors in this state assured
their constituents who We're solicitous
about the matter Of pay that they were
obliged to keep it at six dollars per diem,
because of the heavy expense Involved IN
boarding at Ford's hotel, the Exchange
aud other fashionable hostelres of Rich
mond. Experience in the matter now
proves that ninety per cent. OF the Vir
ginia legislators board at private places
where their necessary expenses are no
1926 per month. Ford's and the Exchange
and kindred caravansares, don't get tel
per cent. of the number.
81. The bill reported amend ing the charte
Of the city of Richmond contemplates
board of aldermen, consisting of two Iron
each ward, and common council with iou
members from each ward--the first electe
for four and the latter for two years. IL
get questionable proposition through bot
branches, it will be seen that larger mum
Der Of divergent minds will have to be pre-
pitiated now than formerly. The presl
dent of the board Of aldermen will be eS
officio mayor, and the log-rolling for cit
Offices will have to be done before bot
bodies conformity. The mayor is give
the veto power, but majority
both bodies, can, if they see fit, knot
his ipse dixit into a ocked hat any tim
The bonded debt Of the city shall not be j
creased by these municipal representatlV
at any time to an amount greater than 81
teen per cent. of the assessed value OF Il
real estate in the city Of Richmond. II
bill is not q law yet, and may be knock
out of all shape before it gets throug
Anything, however, for a change, as
aged female said when she gave the lab
salutation to the patient female bovine.
The General Assembly were engaged
week in per(ecting and passing the bill G
tending the time for the collection OF ST.
taxes to May the first, at cost to the ST.
of about 50, 846 in time wasted. The
was passed as measure of relief to
tax.payers. Let us see whether 1t '
so operate. The bill contains provis
recurring the assent in writing of the SCI
rites of the different sheriffs to the ext
sion or the execution of a new bond by tn
officials, to make it legal and binding
them. People are not prone to take surp
trouble on their shoulders when it can
avoided by "masterly inactivity" and
we find that very few of the sheriifs h
thought proper to call upon their sure
for additional fayors or have executed +
bonds. Without this preliminary the
ia n Had Iattar Sheriff WRIGHT of r.