The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-31

CAPITOL NOTES.

OF Petersburg was under consideration
some rich scenes transpired. When tn
bill first came up the question was O.
agreeing to the amendment of the commit
tee, which was the comforting upon the cit
| judge the power of appointing members Q
the municipal board. Messrs. Thomas an
Pridemore opposed the amendment, tn
latter making an able effort some twenty
minutes in length. The pending question
was then called by ayes and noes. Befor'
the vote was announced, Mr. Patterson
came within the bar Of the Chamber ant
rendered his vote. Mr.. Stevens raised tn
point that as the member was without th'
bar Of the house when the roll was called
he was not entitled to vote. The Chail
decided the point well taken. Mr.. Humid
ley appealed from, the decision. Severa
members arose fand said while il
was parliamentary usage not to receive
said votes, it was the custom Of the former
presiding officer to do so. Others wanted
the appeal tabled; others still wanted il
referred to the committee on rules but
seeing that the Chair was determined to
stand by his ruling, and the advocates Of
the amendment having counted the vote as
recorded, though it had not been an
nounced, and finding they had the best Of il
anyhow, the Buckingham senator was
happy, and withdrew his appeal. Mr..
Allan then proceeded to offer amendments
to the bill as it was being read. but "the
charter members" could not see it, and pro-
ceeded to vote them down every time.
"Charter member Moffett' didn't seem to
care for any amendment, especially if it
t came from the Republican side of the
house, and as it seemed they all came
from that side. said member moved
to limit speeches to three minutes
another member wanted ten minutes.
Opposition Member Allan" wanted five
minutes, and he got it. This action showed
plainly that the "charter members" were
determined to prevent any amendments be.
ing made to the bill, whether they con-
tanned virtue or not. Prince Edward con-
tinued to offer amendments, and endeavored
to explain them, as far as possible, in the
short time allotted, but Buckingham was
determined to give him no quarter. He
opposed his amendments, called him to Or
der whenever the slightest opportunity
offered, ETC., and finally called the pending
question, which was on it's engrossment
and third reading il all of which he was
sustained, thereby thrusting the bill beyond
its amendable stage.
To-day Mr.. Cochran threw a thunder
bolt into the ranks of the ''charter mem.
bers. " Augusta may be classed with the
opposition members as regards the bill In
its present shape. On motion of 'sCharter
Member Kirkpatrick" the vote by which
the bill was ordered to its engrossment
was reconsidered. 1t was then twice
amended unanimously, on motion Of
" Opposition Member Evans" clearly
showing that the bill was far from being
in perfected state, granting its constitu-
tionalitY, which seems to be more and more
doubted by the Senators who have proper
" considered 1t, especially the legal minds
Of the Senate.
Buckingham said he was in favor OF
fair and square fight on this bill. This he
Is likely to have, but whether or not his
,harter will come out at the large end of
he horn remains to be seen.
Caroline said that the Senate has had
IN extraordinary exhibition this morning.
Lee explained to the Senate the rapidity
With which the charter was propelled
through the committee. The status of
he bill is in an amendable stage. Monday
We shall expect to hear from it again.
Governor Kemper is said to be prepar-
ng message on the subject of the state
in which will be embraced his
dea of how to meet the engagements Of
The commonwealth in the matter of inter-
.st on the public debt. A clear financial
exhibit or plan Of redemption from pres
INT pecuniary ailment will exhibit his abil-
ties as statesman in very favorable
light, and be at the same time Indemnity
or the past and security for the future
Governor Kemper's friends, ana they are
many, deem him equal to the occasion.
A legislative committee IS now trying to
get up plan to dispose of the penitentiary
% the most advantage, and incidentally
while doing SO are considering the salaries,
zeal or constructive, paid some of the
,fiicers there. There seems to be some
ioubt as to whether the clerk of the
BOARD of directors is entitled to the 500
Extra compensation as an assistant keeper
Of the institution. He is no doubt roll
keeper of the records of the board, but
that he is an assistant keeper, really or
'onstructively, appears no clearer to us
han mud.
The oyster lobbyists are not exactly
united on any one plan as to what they
want or need, and consequently they are
light weights compared to the railroad ring
d few years ago. They brought no
samples" with them, which was great