The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-02-16
evening State SuitraaL
CAPITOL NOTES.

Vnen the OIL LOT u new cnarter 10l
Petersburg was before the House commit
tee on courts Saturday, John Lyon, esq.
counsel for the opponents of the bill, sub
mitted an able and exhaustive printed
argument against it. Tomorrow Major Gre
CORY will endeavor, in similar document,
to controvert the position assumed by Mr..
Lyon. The bill will be called up in the
House some time during the latter part Of
the present week.
A man is very apt to use, by way of ar
gument or illustration, the subject which
he knows most about, so we find the Cen
eral Assembly apparently willing to fly to
whisky and other drinkable fluids as a
source of pecunpry relief for the state in
her present financial disorders. On Satur-
day the joint committee on finance fixed
the special license tax on wholesale liquor
dealers at $3.50, and on retail dealers at
500. Where party does both whole
sale and retail business he must pay $50 in
addition to the $3.50. Liquor dealers don't
understand why they should be taxed more
than others, and all of them oppose the
bill.
Executive chambers have been abolished
by our states new ruler, and ow all docu-
lnents emanating therefrom are headed
Governors Office" The most of the
aristocracy possessed by Governor Kem-
per is that conferred by nature. In fact
he is the last man to affect style, and is as
plain and outspoken in his talk and action
as the most democratic admirer could wish.
If bill now before the Legislature be-
comes law. every county surveyor will, at
stated intervals, hereafter have to correct
his compass by a meridian line of pre-.
scribed length, which it is proposed to es-
tablish in each county.
Some Of the trees on the Capitol Square
are already bursting the cerements of their
winters tomb. On many of them the
buds are plainly apparent. On warm,
fair days the birds can be heard twittering
among the now leafess branches. Both
the blue bird and ''gentle robin redbreast"
have called to scrape an acquaintance with
our dornesticated English sparrow. These
latter in summer are very gentle and make
the Square resemble vast aviary. They
are splendid fellows after worms and cat.
erpil lars, and to our thinking would per-
sonally figure to excellent advantage in
pot-pie.
1t is now said that sixteen thousand dollars
worth of the state bonds, lately in charge
Of the ex-Secretary Of the board of public
works, are missing. That officer, who is
in present trouble ON account thereof has
engaged General Bradley 7. Johnston to
administer legal comfort to him.
Mr.. William Lovenstein, delegate in the
House from this city, is seeking charter
for the g Germania Mennerchor Of the city
Of Richmond" The bill will be passed
without doubt, and some music-loving
members have proposed that the Manner
Choir "a capital institution, by the way shall
supplement the same by appearing in the
rotunda of the hall and giving a free concert.
II Mr.. Lovensten could be induced to ex-
ecute fantasia on the opheclide. the effect
would be all the more striking and impress
sive.
A bill for the endowment of the lnebr-
ate asylum to be located, is not intended
to be tax on the state. 1t is the intention
of few enterprsing citizens of the Valley
to make a donation of thirty thousand dol
lars to this philanthropic purpose, evident
ly intending to anticipate the great ground
swell of woman's temperance movement
now going on in the West. 1t is a worthy
and blg-souled object, and once being
started, will supply what every state
should have, and necessity long felt. We
understand the ladies are taking strong in
terest in this matter. They prefer this sort
of protection to prayers more openly made.
The friends Of the various places suita-
BILE for the Central lunatic asylum location
are presenting their various advantages:
Amelia Springs. Huguenot Springs, Bello-
ma Arsenal, Randolph Macon and others.
The matter, when once placed in the
hands of a committee, who are familiar by
their past connection with these, will
doubtless make suitable selection. We
have such ability, if it is only placed on
the committee.
The committee of the General Assembly
in charge Of the state library have pro.
hibited smoking therein, not because Of
specific complaint against the practice, but
from general impression on their part
that in public place so often frequented
by ladies it was an indicate proceeding.
Fourteen senators were absent at one
time at roll-call to-day.