The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-03-12
CAPITOL NOTES.

vi the e1ght nlcneS originally constructed
in the rotunda of the Hall of the House
of Delegates for the reception of the busts
of eminent Virginians, but one is filled
the one containing the bust of Gilbert
Mottier Marquis de lafayette, the great
friend of American liberty and Of Wash
ington. One of the inches contains sam
Pile of dressed marble of sort that an
ancient contractor proposed on the erection
Of the building ninety years ago to- make
into pillars for the south portico. The av-
erage Virgnian has generally had his busts
on the floor of the rotunda instead Of the
inches, which may account for the latter
being empty.
When Senate bill for the encouragement
of land purchasers and actual settlers in
Virginia was taken up yesterday, unsuc.
cessful motions to amend were made both
by Messrs. Pridemore and Allan. During
the remarks of the former he looked
as if he had the Declaration of
Independence in one pocket, the Res
olutions OF '9s in the other, and an
American eagle perched on his back
picking at the visual organs of the British
Lion. The bill went over on motion to
consider certain resolutions of respect to
the memory of ex-President Fillmore. 1t
will, however, be along again in day or
two, when the. contest over its provisions
will be renewed.
N. Dulany Ball has been appointed
clerk of the new legislative committee
chosen to investigate the alleged defalcation
Of the secretary of the Sinking Fund CON-
missioners. The selection is good one.
The committee first chosen on yesterday
reported that it would take about six
months, with the aid of our report, to-
unravel the mystery, and this disclosure led
to the appointment Of the new committee.
Those who may be chosen members of the
committee will, of course, ''summer" in
this city at the public expense.
Hon. Hugh W. Shelley was heard in ar
gument last night in the Senate chamber,
before the joint committee on roads and
internal navigation, in advocacy of tho
pending proposition to amend the charter
of the Valley railroad, so as to extend the
line to Salem, Roanoke county. Very con-
siderable ability was evinced by the distin-
guished gentleman in his exposition of the
merits of the scheme favored by himself.
A decided opposition to the scheme, how
ever, has made itself manifest in many
parts of the state.
Adjutant-G General Richardson is slowly
recovering from his recent severe accident.
This well-known public servant is eighty
four years of age. He was captain in the
war of 1912. His troops of friends hope
soon to see him on the streets again.
The fate, for several days past dimly
foreshadowed of the bill to provide new
charter for the city Of Petersburg, wa
this morning formally announced to thu
Senate in message from his excellenc,
the Governor, returning the bill with hi
objections thereto to the body in which i
originated. The message of the Governor
embracing as it does creditabe range O
statesmanlike views, unanswerable consti
tutional arguments, briefly, succinctly AM
clearly stated, a line of close, argumenta
tive and convincing reasoning and clea
aud luminous exposition of. the impolic
and injustice of the measure, will be toun
in the regular proceedings, and commend
itself as well worthy the level head andhear
of the chief executive Of the honored OIL
Dominion. His action in this matter
while it makes him none the less Con
sentative, will add to his reputation as
statesman Of enlarged and liberal views.
The bill passed the Senate originally b
only four majority. To pass it over tn
veto will require two-thirds vote. TIL