The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-21
evening State gn,arnal
CAPITOL NOTES.

/ CAPITOL NOTES.
| In the past two years, under the direc
ton Of Messrs. Wynne and Gilman, Of tn
House and Senate committee, a number o
choice and valuable foreign tones hav'
been added to the state library. The lat
ter is fine graveyard for first-clas'
book, and many thousands are there en-
tombed. AS soon as new book is re-
| ceived it is casually looked over, its title
copied and after being indexed it is placed
in soak, where it ever afterwards remains
secure from the handling Of the profant
vulgus. Those who have the privilege Of
| looking into these rare volumes have not
the sense to appreciate them, SO they re.
main monument OF wasted taste, to be
discolored by age, and surreptitiously
carried off when opportunity and time
serves. The state library, as ct present con-
stituted and carried on. is of no earthly
use to half dozen inhabitants Of this
commonwealth. To show the degeneracy o.
the times. we may express the opinion,
honestly entertained, that things are not
likely to be bettered by any measure with
in the comprehension of our present legisla-
tors.
The people of Petersburg are both ad.
vocating and abusing the proposed new
charter for their city before the Senate
committee on general laws, who have the
subject in charge. The flood Of fiery elo-i
quence disbursed before it by the respec-
tive advocates pro and con would suffice to
set pile of green wood on fire. The cat
in the meal tub is plainly perceptlble in
this case. The Conservatives hope to gain
some temporary political advantage by the
success Of the measure, and the Republic
cans feel it their duty to oppose it.. Just
at present it is lively fight.
Everything about the Capitol is as dry
as a last years bean pod. Those who
draw per diem walk around in the most
disconsolate manner, seemingly anxious
for the swift passage of the fleeing hours,
one of which daily the msmbers waste in
the House and Senate in attempts at legis-
lation. There is no railroad schemes afoat
yet with money in them, and lobbyists
are scarce and partake of the general gloom
pervading the rotunda. Things promise to
to be more lively after time.
Captain William P. NJ. Kellam, regis
ter of the Virginia land office, is promi-
nently spoken of as candidate for the
Office of city sergeant, said to be one of
the best paying Offices in the state.
General p. Theo. Moore was found
lacking in political strength at the last
election, and it is believed by MAORI
ty of the Conservative voters that another
gentleman was elected by q fair count,
and it became necessary to manipulate
the count to bring about the election of
General Moore to the Office, which he
now fills, of city sergeant. 81
The Board Of Immigration of Virginia,
consisting Of the Governor, Attorney
General and sundry other state officers,
have completed report to the General
Assembly on the subject Of immigration,
and now nothing remains but for that body
to appropriate sufficient means to carry out
their recommendations. Accompanying
the report is Major Jed. Hotchkiss' geo.
graphical and political summary describing
the territory of the state, its form Of gov
eminent, characterize the soil, productions,
climate and population, mineral resources,
universities, public free school system,
religious advantages, lines of travel by
water or rail, etc.,--a most comprehensive
document.
The Governor to-day ap pointed Ed
ward c. Mead, Of Keswick, q notary
public, and DR.. William j. Allen, coro-
ner for Lunenburg county.
In the Senate to-day resolution Of en-
quiry was offered by Senator Kirkpatrick
as to the propriety Of getting another
residence for the Governor, fitting up
the present one for the use of the state
library, and fitting up the present library
for the House and SenateScommittee rooms
and offices. The resolution meets with
great favor.
"A bill was introduced in the Senate to-
day to make slanderous words, written
or spoken, misdemeanor. Colonel Edgar
Allan, Of Farmville, moved to amend by
adding fine and Imprisonment. An ANUS
ing discussion ensued. The subject was
finally definitely postponed. q
The board of visitors Of the Virginia
Military institute, consisting of Hon. John
Letcher, of Rockbridge; Colonel F. w.
M. Holiday, of Frederick; General Will
liam Terry, of Wythe Major R. D.
Gaines, of Charlotte; DR.. ]. W. Lawson,
of Isle Of Wight, Rev. William A. Harris,
of Stanton General Fitz Lee, Of Fairfax;
Colonel Joseph Mayo, jr., of Richmond,
and the Acknowledgement of the state, will
meet in this city, at the Office of the last
named, tomorrow.