Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-02-13
FROM RICHMOND.
TIE CAPITOL.


RICHMOND, Feb. l2.-As the Committee on
General Laws was 10 session this morning in a
room n the capitol, uuder the State Library, a
few yards of plas!ering gave way 10 the room
above, and the members hearing the crash, and
being impressed with the idea that "sclf pres
crvatiou is the first law of nature" STAIN
peded The effect of the tumble down ceiling
is that the Senate adjourned until Monday
next, SO as to allow time to have the Library
removed to house obtained for that purpose.
There is quite an inclination on the part of the
Senator'S to have new p'toi built at once.
LEGISLATIVE.
To-day there was not much business Of gen
| eral Importance transacted.
In the Senate several House bills we're re-
ported and referred.
The Senate bill providing artificial limbs for
! soldiers who lost their limbs during the war,
was returned from the House with 40 amend
ment to the effect that ouly soldiers who lost
their limbs in the service Of the State OF Con
fedprale States should be thus provided. The
Senate disagreed to this amendment.
The House ioiut resolution to print the man
uscript of resources &C., prepared by Major
Hotchkiss was laid On the table.
The till to increase the pay of grand jurors
was reported from the committee.
The Committee on Flnauce requested to be
relieved from further consideration OF the case
of W. d. Coleman, and asked that 1t be refer.
red to joint committee OF the House aud
Senate.
Bills were reported to Incorporate the FArm-
ers' Insurance Company; and providing for
1 r. i - IL
burg township, i'll Rockingham county.
The bill 10 reference to the duties OF town
ship assessors to extend the school tax, was
adversely reported upon.
A bill was also reported providing new
charter for Norfolk.
The Superintendent of Public Buildings,
under the supervision OF the Secretary OF the
Commonwealth, was authorized to rent prop
er building, convenient to the Capitol, aud to
remove thereto, without delay, all the books,
papers, &c., now 10 the library OF the State, or
to remove the said books, &c, to lower story
10 the capitol.
A resolution was adopted appointing joint
committee of three on the part OF the Senate
ANA five on the part of the House to examine
into the present condition of the Capitol, and
they were authorized to employ one or more
experts, 10 order to make heir investigations,
and report to the General Assembly at as early
u day as possible.
The Finance Committee was instructed to en-
quire into the expectancy of providing by law.
that coupon bonds, now in the possession o1
the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, shall
not be convertible into bonds of any description,
aud for cancelling bonds now held, and such as
may hereafter be acquired by the commls-
sloncrs.
Numerous other bills were presented and
referred
The Senate then adjourned until Monday
next.
In the House of Delegates the Senate bill re-
ferrDg to the construction of a suitable memoir
al TO commemorate the achievements of Com
modore injury, was placed on the calendar.
The bill to regulate and protect the opera
tons of railroad companies In this State, was
read the first time.
A petition frou citizens of Henrco not tt
have the Central Lunatic Asy lum located 10 said
county, was presented.
1t was agreed on the part of the House to
publish Major Hotchki>s' treaties on Virginia.
Numerous bills were returned signed by the
Governor.
The contested election case of Walker vs..
Wake was taken up and the seat Of Wake
declared vacant: aud a new election ordered 10
Chesterfield county.
! MISCELLANEOUS.
Reports from ali quarters say that the wheat
crop is unusually promising.
AS tar as can be ascertained the amount OF
bonds defaul,ed for by Col. Coleman, late
/ Secretary of the Board of Public Works and
Sinking Fund Commissioners, is about $4,000,
which, at the rates they were purchased for, is
comparatively small, the total amount being es-
tiuIated by some at cot over Sl,l00.
Judge Cockere, desiring to he perfectly
understood, to-day, in the House, said that
the newspapers had represented him as favor
ing the Underwood Constitution, while so far
from it he desired to see it entirely wiped out.
Judge &. is one Of the most fearless members
OF the Legislature as we'll as one of the abest
aud soundcst. The people Of Fairfax are most
admirably represented.
Edgar Allen, to-day, in the Senate, with
his usual atfrontry, offered the following pre-
amble and resolution:
Whereas, doubts have arisen as to the au-
thority Of Col. j. S. Mosby to speak for the
Conservative party of Virginia as to their
choice for next President of the United States;
and whereas the loyal millions of the country
should be satisfied on that subject as speedily
as possible; therefore,
'Reso'ral, That in the opinion Of the Gene
raj Assembly of Virginia, representing the
views Of the Conservative party of the State,
His excellency, u. 5. Grant, is the choice of
said party for the next President of the United
States.
The Senate very properly refused to parmit
theru to he spread on The Journal.
Gov. kempcr left here for Washington last
night.
I VIRGINIA REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS.
Indications are continually cruppiug out Of
late showing very decided disturbance of the
eutiente corjiale between the coored republi-
cans of Virginia and the amiable gentlemen
from the north, who have so kindly consented