The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-26
evening State Snarisal.
CAPITOL NOTES.

T.
charge was short, sharp and decisive.
Leading citizens of the Cockade appeared
before it to discuss its. merits pro and con,
and there were on both sides of the question
men of opposite politics. The proposition
was subsequently taken up in the Senate
and committed to the committee on privl-
leges and elections, which has under con-
sideration at this time bill of general
character that will meet the case exactly.
The supreme court of appeals notifies
the Legislature of its desire for the contin-
uance of the special court of appeals, and
also of its wish that the number of judges
be increased from three to five. The as
sent of the Legislature is more than pro-
bable.
The legislative oyster platform now en-
braces the following planlSs: That planted
oysters ought only to be taxed as other
property; that the present law ought to be
abolished; that tax ought to be imposed
upon the transportation of oysters; that if
dredging is allowed, it ought to be taxed.
The carrying out of these propositions
would still leave room for the employment
of the Virginia oyster navy.
Christopher Graft, of Danville, has had
his sentence Of death changed by the gov.
eminent to eighteen years in state prison.
Charles Dance, sent to the Jail of this
city for a year in December, '73. by the
hustings court, has been pardoned.
The Senate committee on public institu-
tons are seriously considering grave and
essential reforms in the management of the
penitentiary, and in their aspirations in
this respect have the hearty cooperation
of the new board of directors. 1t is hoped
that the drain upon the state treasury may
be greatly reduced in the future by the
exertions of the village magnates who, in
this matter, have harnessed themselves to
the car Of progress.
In the vote to abolish the office Of SUPER
intendent of public buildings, taken Satur-
day, the Richmond and Henrico senators
were either not present or failed to vote.
Only three of the nine Republican senators
are on record on this question. The bill,
as heretofore intimated, failed for want of
a constitutional majority. The capitol
grounds, buildings, etc., are now guarded
by four day and two night police, under the
supervision of the superintendent of pub
lie buildings. The duty used to be per-
formed by the public guard. The city has
about one hundred policemen, officers and
detectives in her employment. 1t would
seem in the interest of economy to let the
Office of superintendent of public buildings
remain as it is, as its adjustment will be
used as an excuse to devolve its duties on
somebody else,at an enhanced salary.
The Dispatch has cited as an example
worthy of note, the alleged fact that
Conservative Legislature had been so
magnanimous as to unseat two Conserva-
tive members from Mecklenburg county,
and replace them with those two sturdy
Republicans, Messrs G. w. Young and
Ross Hamilton. The real state Of the
case was that the Republican members
had been all along the sitting ones and
the attempt of the two Conservative
contestants to Dust them was so thin that
it was reported against unanimously by
a legislative committee.
The Governor has refused to pardon
Wesley Binham, convicted by the circuit
court of Brunswick, October 1878, of vol
untary .manslaughter and sentenced to the
penitentiary for one year; also William
Roe, Fauquier county, October, 1872, horse
stealing, five years Daniel Higgins, Rich
mond, felonious assault, II months in jail
and fined $500; John w. Taylor, Norfolk
September 1870, rape, five years.
The Governor has pardoned Patrick
Tookey, sentenced to Jail for six months
in November 1878, by the hustings cour1
Of Richmond, for assault; and he has ap
pointed Colonel John W. Hinton and Ed
D. Pitts, of Norfolk city, notaries public
also Henry L. Barksdale for Danville ant
Pittsylvania county.