Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-02-25
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.

Correspondence OF the Alexandra 4aZ 'tte.l
RICHMOND, Feb 24.-Tbe Legislature per-
formed GOOD days work to-day, the best OF
the session. 1t passed the University bill. 1t
went through like fash, and | honestly be-
lipve that its victory is due mainly TO the ef-
forts OF the press throughout the State. with
but a few exceptions all the papers 10 The
State were in favor OF it,and ma.mly advocated
its claims, for many knight OF the quill can
say ol her, "a M Mater" Many Of them have
received 10 that noble institution iessous from
her professors (waDy Of whom are examples OF
the beauties of the iuteectua! If y which
have beeo fresh with them siuce. And whcn
she called for aid ADD there seemed disposl.
ton on the part OF the State DOT to exteod her
hand, the boys Of the pencil, pas!e and scissor
brigade rose up and came to the rescue With
such violence that the House members gave
away in dismay. Now let Harvard AMI Yale,
and even Oxford aud Heidelberg, look to their
aurels.
No little excitement was created in the House
to-day by the report of Mr. Masse, chairman
of the Stevens investigating committee, in
which he asked that resolution be adopted
remanding Judge Stevens to Jail unless be
would answer the question propounded hy the
committee last night. The report which the
committee submitted was as follows The said
George S. Stevens was yesterday put upon the
stand as witness by the committee, aud was
asked among other questions ''to state whether
or not he had since the commencement OF the
present General Assembly of Virginia gambled
with any member of said General Assem- bly,
other than Capt. Fowler 10 which the Wit
ness answered, Il have played at cards in
games in which members Of the present Gene
raj Assembly were playing, betting at the
games This answer was followed by the fol
lowing question: please give the names oil
the members with whom you have thus play.
cdr TO which was answered: Il decline &c
answer that question" The witness assigned
no reason for his refusal to answer the question
Your committee decided the question ccmpe
tent and pertinent, and do DOT conceive that
the scope Of this Investigation, as dirccled by
your body, can be compassed without an an.
swer thereto. The witness peremptorily re-
fuses to answer; the powers of the ooum Gtee
are exhausted, aud lis chairman has beeu iu-
struce to report the facts to the House that
it may do in the premises what may seem to i;
m let aud proper. Mr.. Ronald presented the
following report 90 his part 'Tbe undersign-
ed, member OF the CON mlttee appointed to
investigate the charges against Geo. Stevens,
Judge Of the County Court of Nelson, does rot
concur with the committee in the preliminary
report submitted 10 that case because the ques-
ton propouuded to said Stevens yesterday and
referred to by the comm ttee 10 their report,
was not relevant and geimIln to the lnve1tlEa-
ton, and was lLqulsltorlal IN so far as 1t sought
to iovolve mem uers of the General Assembly
by lnquring into their social habits.
Mr.. MasSie then offered the following raso-
luton:
Whereas George S. Stevens, witness
before the special committee appointed
by the House to investigate certain statements
of the conduct of said Stevens INCONSISTENT
with his high judicial position, has refused TO
answer the question asked by that committee,
aud has assigned 20 reason sufficient or other
wise for such refusal; therefore,
Resolved, That the Sergeant at. Arms of This
House take the body of said Gee. S. Stevens
and will safely keep bin in the cotnmoD Ill Of
Richmond until be, the said Stevens, shall
prize himself of bis contempt, or until the
further order Of the House. :"
This resolution occas!oned much discussion,
Mcssrs Gordon, Shelley, Coghll aud others
speaking against it. aud Messrs. Massic and
Starke for it. Finally the resolution was de-
ieated by a vote of 95 10 II
This was more than the members could
stand. Why, to have their little games made
public was simply preposterous. | know n.y.
self of members of the House who are in the
habit of INDUCING 10 little gaming, whose
oames would astound people. The very first
and ablest men in the House have INDUCED 10
it. One member in bis indignation offered
resolution that the committee be discharged
from further service. The commi tee met this
morning aud decided to close the evidence.
They will report 10 day or two. The report
will be against Stevens. although Ronald may
submit minority report 10 favor Of him. 1t
is, however, by 90 meaus certain how the
House will ac, 10 the m,tter.
The Southern Association case will be tried
at the next term of the Hastings Court.
The Senate to day refused TO coccur with
the House 10 extending the session thirty days.
A motion was passed to reconsider, and pre-
sumo the body will concur in the resolution to-
morrow. STRoNGBOW.