The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-18

LOCAL MATTERS.
LEGIsLATIvE LABORs.
PLAN FOR CAUSING CORRECTION OF STATE
AND MUNICIPAL AssEsSMENTs-FEEs OF
GPoLfcE AND JAILoRs-P R o POSE D
CHANGES ~ CRIMINAL LAWs-THE
wHIsKE Y-TAx-CHEAP LAND VAR
RANTs-THE RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS
BILL.
| :. If the two bills now pending in the House
should become laws means will be afforded
citizens not only to have their State but
their municipal assessments corrected for
some months to come. A bill several days
ago sent to the House by the, Senate pro-
EVides that State assessments may be cor
rected ut any time when application in q
prescribed form is made within two years
OF the date OF asses>ment-thu greatly ex-
tending the time. The House committee
recommends an amendment, in effect, that
the time for making corrections be limited
to three months after the passage Of the
bill. The bill was taken up yesterday
morning, and with but brief consideration
was laid upon the table. 1t will be called
up again shortly. The bill of Mr.. O. U:
williams, proposing that upon no piece OF
property shall the municipal be higher
| than the State assessment, has been report
ed fayorably, and is upon the calendar. No
opposition to it has yet been manifested. ],
Provided they are passed, the Senate bill
will enlarge the time within which State as
sessments may be reduced. Mr.. Williams's
bill will compel the city assessments to be
put down as low as the States.
REVISION OF THE LAWS.
The subcommittee on Criminal Charges
have not acted finally in regard to fees OF
captains, sergeants OF police, and others, LOT
arrests, but will very probably report In ia.
vor Of large reductions. And so as TO aaiiors'
fees. ..s.s
The SUBJ Committee on Criminal Laws
favor allowing parties charged with seduc-
tios, rape, and kindred crimes to testify. in
their own cases. The same committee have
discussed the question of bail, and it is pos
sible will report in favor Of permitting only
the Judge of the court in which party is to
lie tried to grant bail. The Supreme Court, as
proposed, is, however, to retain the right to
bail anywhere. Judge Guigon was before
the General Committee on the Revision OF
Criminal Laws yesterday morning by inyl-
tation, and will meet the committee next
Wednesday again.
ADVICE ASKED.
Tbe following circular has been mailed to
various law officers in each county and city
of the State:
JOINT COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF
CRIMINAL LAWS,
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA,
RICHMOND, VA, January 10, 1877.
Dear Sir,-I am instructed by the Com
mittee on Revision Of Criminal Laws to ask
that you will as promptly as possible favor
the committee, in writing, with such sug-
gestions for amending the criminal Iurls-
prudence of the State as may have occurred
to you in your personal experience, to pro.
mote the speedy, economical, and faithful
administration of the criminal laws.
Very respectfully your; obedient servant,
ALEXANDER Q. HOLIDAY,
,s: s... Clerk to Committee.
...--... WHIsKEY-TAX. ....
The House Finance Committee yesterday
gave some OF their time to consideration
Of Governor Smiths whiskey-tax bill.
Nearly all the members desire to make this
article of luxury bear more taxation than it
now does, but find it difficult to agree upon
the sort OF bill they want that can stand
the test OF the courts. In this respect there
Is the very widest diversity Of opinion,
seeming now to indicate total failure OF
the project. Meet again Friday.
LAND WARRANTS.
This same committee have agreed to re-
port a bill fixing the price of land warrants
at two cents instead Of 81 per acre. There
are vast tracts OF mountainous land in
Southwest Virginia that have never been
+" taken up" because worth nothing like 81
per acre. This bill is intended to supply
the. remedy apparently required in the
premises.
RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS.
The Senate Committee on Roads and In
ternal Navigation on yesterday further con-
sidered General Johnson's bill in relation to
fine appointment OF railroad commissioners.
Colonel A. S. Buford of the Danville, Mr..
p. v. Daniel of the Richmond, Fredericks-
burg and Potomac, and General Wicham OF
the chesapeake and Ohio railroad, appear
ed in opposition to the measure. Mr.. John
is. Barbour, OF the Virginia Midland road,
wrote a letter expressive OF his views, and
| on the same side. Colonel Frank &. Ruftln
was present in the interest OF farmers. The
bill will be further considered Friday; when
some representatives of the Richmond mer-
camille interests will urge favorable action
on the bill.
+ THE PARDoNING POWER.
+, Governor Kempers message stating the
reasons that guided him in granting each
case Of pardon during the past year has
been printed. The information contained
in it was published in this paper from time
to time MS the pardons were announced.
Jobs for Police and Courts.
A sToSE-cUTTER BADLY AND MYsTERI0USLT
WOUNDED-A THIEF SHOT.