Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-12-15

letter from Richmond.

Lettes from Richmond.
Correspondence Of tho Alexandria Gazette.
RICHMOND, Va, Dec. Ii, lS76.-l believe
the proposition to lave Gen. Joseph T.. John
sou elected Adjutaot General Of Virginia will
be renewed this year. Last summer when Gen.
Richardson died the volunteer military in this
city made a strenuous effort to get the Cover.
nor to ~araoint Gen. Johnson. They believed
that such Il man ut the lead Of the volunteer
military in The State would give TO it a new
impetus. | believe the Governor was Of the
same opinion alsu, but he preferred to leave the
matter TO the General Assembly. | understand
that Gen. johnson stated that he was very
anxious to get back to his native State, and
hat be would gladly accept the place. Ad-
mirers Of the sturdy old Firginian think that
it would be a. little as his native State could
do to give him this position, and that with
| such 40 old var horse at its head the volunteer
military would gain a new impetus. What the
| Legislature will do | cannot tell, but the prop.
osition is now more taVorably thong bit OF than
last summeT. The volunteer militia ry have so
far received but little encouragement or aid
from the State.
The Committee on Retrenchment and he.
form to-day reported 10 the House a bill fix
ing the salary OF the Adjutant General
at $500 per annum, and when the
| militia arc in active service at $4,000. If this
is passed it will rather dampen the ardor Of
| The applicants for the position. a man cannot
be a soldier on $500 o year.
The members Of the Legislature ure the
principal patrons Of the drama here now.
John Robinson, a coIored Baptist preacher,
we'll known in Manchester, was. a few days
since. sent 10 the penitentiary for house
breaking.
| fear that there is the same disposition on
the part Of the members of the General AS
SembIy to Wrangle over retrenchment aud re.
form propositions, aud in the end their talk
will cost the State more than any Wastetul eZ'
penditure.
10 the House. to day. Mr.. Clarke offered a
resolution looking 10 the amendment Of the
laws so as to require all persons hereafter con.
victed Of felony iu any Of the Courts of the
State, and sentenced either to capital punish
mant or to confinement 10 the penitentiary, 10
be transported to that institution by a guard to
be sent by the Superintendent thereof on no.
tifcation Of such sentence by the clerks of the
| Courts, aud those sentenced TO capital punish
lnent to be executed within the walls Of the
penitcntisry, under the supervision aud direc.
ton oil the Superintendent. The effect Of this
will be that the disgusting public executions
alluded to Ly the Governor, in his message.
will be gotten rid Of. The sherifs, or their
assistants, vii! not have. as now, TO bring the
c%onvicts to this city.
1he conservative members OF the Genera
Assembly held a caucus tonight to nominate q
candidate for the Supreme Bench to fill tho va
cancy caused by the death Of Judge Bouldlu
with the following result:
First ballot-Kirkpatrick, 2j; Joues, 81;
Forbes, 10; Burk5, %; Seawell, I; Coghlll, ~
scattering, ).
Second-kirkpatrick, 20; Jones, 50; Forbes
IL; Burks, "a; Coghill, 81.
Third-kirkpatrick, 2!S; Jones, IS; Buras,
49,; Coghill, IS.
Eourth-Jones, IL; CoghiIl, s.; Burke, 1t.
tifth-Burks, IS; Jones, IS.
Mr.. Burks' nomination was then made uuau
imous.
Mr.. Burks is a native and resident o! Bediort
county and is spoken Of by those who know
him as one Of the ablest lawyers in the State.
Daniel s. Hicks, es,l., was nominated count.
Judge for brunswick.
Anoug those who delivered addresses IN th
General Assembly to-day upon the death Q
Gen. BagTcll, were Senator Sinclair and Dele
gate Kali.