Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1876-01-18
RICHMOND. VA. l
Jan. 18th. 1875. I
Dear Metns y.

Jan. 18th. 1876. !
Dear NetUs.
Since | wrote you last week Mr..
Fowler has been IN most critical con-
dition, and although he las been
rapidly mending the last two or three
days, he is still comparatively pros
trated, and almost as helpless as an
infant. He took his bed on the I'M,
and from that to the 10Th his mind
was wandering, and he is conscious of
but little that TRANSFERRED during those
ten days. AS he expressed himself to
me yesterday, it secmS to him as IL he
had been in troubled dream for two
years. He was attended 10y DR.. Nc
Cav, one Of the most eminent Physi-
cIans in the city, and to his skill,
through an overriding Providence,
MI. Fowler is Indebted for his life-as
| observation has taught us, when cry
sipelas attacks the brain, as it did in
this case, the chances are against the
sufferer. But Mr.. Fowler is now out
of danger. his many friends here are
relieved of painful fears aud anxieties,
aud his family aud more immediate
friends at home l am sure will feel
thankful.
1t was not my purpose when COM
meuced writing 10 say more than tine
foregoing, but as Mr.. Fowler il unable
to give you his usual jottings, it may
he gratifying to some of your readers
to hear of what may be going on in the
halls of legislation.
The amendments to the Constitution
have been before and passed by the
Senate, and the probability is they
will be before the House this week. /
nm not advised as to how the delegates
from the Southwest will vote on most
of the changes proposed, though | am
pretty certain they will he almost. if
not altogether, unanimous against
making the prompt payment Of taxes
prerequisite To voting.
On Thursday last Mr.. Allen, of
shenandoah, introduced a resolution
reducing the per dim from IS to S4.
winch stirred up considerable discus
sion ut the proper hour on Friday and
SATURDAY, and l imagine it will be
Oh hand for several days. A number
of delegates have let their mouths 20
off both FOR and against it, and l pre-
sumo they will spout on as long AS
their gas holds out, and then the sub
jrct will drop to sleep and slumhpr on
till ii shall have been reused up at ie
next session. My idea of reform is,
that the sessions should be biennial
and limited to 60 to 80 days. l have
been here long enough to learn that
many of the delegates could not live as
they desire on less than six dollars per
day, without devuting SO much time
t. the study of retrenchment and
economy ms to leave them but little
time for legislative duties.
The most important before the
House Mt present, is the regulations of
tie compensation of County Treasur-
ers. MIR COghill presented a resDlu-
tiun fixing the compensation some
thing like it was from lS7 TO 10 and
advocated it In very powerful
speech. Mr.. Shetfey, who agreed with
him in the main, moved to amend by
striking out the section imposing a
renalty of 5 per cent. upon those who
fail to pay their tax on or before the
lat Of December. Mr.. S. supported
his amendment very earnestly and
elegantly, and at this point the House
adjourned on Saturday evening. The
subject will be renewed TO day, and
my opinion il, that there will he but
little, if any relief for the Treasurers,
as they were all aware of the change
i'm the law before declaring themselves
candidates for the office.
The pay of the County Judges was
before the House some days ago,
and passed 10y for the time being. |
presume ii will he up for considera-
ton again as soon az the Treasurers are
disposed Of. here is great diversity
of opinion upon the subject-some
thinking the pay should remain rs it
il is others c0mtendlng that compe-
tent nren will not have the Office NJ
the pres mt salary, and third class
demanding that the Court shall he
abolished. Ifthe jurisdiction of Mag
istrates should he extended, the sta
bility of the County Court will be I'M
certain. Respectfully,
&. b. G..