The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-23
Gpsaias State yn,.rnal.
CAPITOL NOTES.

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was apparent disposition to curtail tn
powers of the superintendent of public
instruction. In confirmation thereof il
may be stated that recent executive
session of the Senate was held solely to
consider the question of the confirmation
of the appointments of county school SUI
perintendents made by the state board Of
education. The session was consumed,
however, in the discussion Of the terms Of
the Office Of the superintendent, and the
consideration of the nominations was post
poned.
It is always pleasant though not
common task of late years to commend
indications of economy in public bodies.
The satisfaction at such demonstrations is
enhanced when it is connected with puri-
flying process both among legislatures and
individuals. When we see our House and
Senate begin to practice economy by lop.
ping off some of the existing costly dead
wood they carry we shall lift up our voice
in praise.
The reconsideration by Lieutenant
Governor Withers of his determination
to Immediately resign his position as
presiding officer of the Senate, on his
election as the successor Of Hon. John
f. Lewis, has dashed the hopes Of the
twenty-six worthy gentlemen who were
willing to be his successors. The scram-
bic for the Office is therefore postponed
for q time. The patriotic fervor with
which the average Virginian advances to
the front to serve his state or country
in public office is commendable. 1t is
a quality that the lapse of years, and
diminishing hold on the public teat, seems
rather to increase than diminish. 1t is only
equalled by the sublime patriotism of Ar
temus Ward in the late fratricidal strife.
Ward was willing to sacrifice all of his
wife's relations to save the country. And
your average office.seeking Virglnian will
sacrifice not only his own but everybody
else's relations just for chance to serve
the country he loves SO well.
The finance committee Of the House
will, at ii O'Clock tomorrow, hear argu-
ments from capable party on the advisa-
bility Of a stamp liquor tax, and will prob
ably at the same time sample some Old
Cabinet, to show that good liquor is a
luxury rather than necessity.
The bill now pending in the General As
sembly for new charter for Manchester
fixes the mayors term of Office at four
years, and provides that the town council
shall be elected for three years. 1t is pro-
posed to amend the same by making the
mayor elective for two years and the council
the same. There will be a fight on the
issue. m q s5H a lE
Senatorial wisdom is now wrestling with
the problem whether it will abolish the
Office of superintendent OF public build
ings or confer the appointment of that
officer on the Governor. The wisdom
that has ever animated the descend
ants of '76 and other historic peri
DDS of our glorious old state still
pulsates under the modern vests which
enshroud the manly corpusses of her legis-
late representatives, and they show them
selves as much carried away and enthused
by such important questions as the above
as they would be in the discussion of one
of Lafong's fifteen-cent cocktails, paid for
by country constituent.
The Governor to-day offered one hundred
dollars reward for the apprehension of DR..
John X. Jones, Of Hicksford, Greensville
county. who, on the 9th of January, at
that place, killed Isaac Massey, colored.
with penknife, in a dispute about some
cotton which had been raised on joint &C.
count.
Representative Gilman, Of this city, is
confined to his room by severe indisposi.
ton, necessitating the attention of two
physicians. NJ +g
Each Of the 900 copies of the new
Code cost the state $4.36.