The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-08
GENERAL ASSEMBLY, OF VIRGINIA.
'Eh ird Day.
FRIDAY, December :, 1877.
SEN ATE.


SENATE.
Lieutenant Governor THOMAS presiding
Prayer by Rev. S. A. Steel, OF the Broad
Street Methodist church.
RESIGNATION or JUDGE FLouRNoY.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate com
muncation from the Executive enclosin!
the resignation of Hon. III. w. Flournoy
Judge OF the Corporation Court Of Dan
vile; which, on motion OF Mr.. WARD, wa'
laid on the table.
The CHAIR announced that be had over
looked the provision OF the Constitution re
that his appointments on this committee
were annulicd, and that he would take timC
for further appointments.
PRESENTED AND REFERRED.
BY Mr.. SPITLER: a resolution requesting
the Finance Committee to take into consid.
Grafton the propriety OF furnishing relief to
the counties and cities suffering by the late
flood, either by the extension OF time for
the collection Of taxes or otherwise.
By Mr.. TYLER: A resolution looking to a
thorough retrcnchment in the admini>tra-
ton of the affairs of the State. and to ac-
compliSh this the Legislature should abol-
| iSh such unnecessary offices as it can under
the Constitution, and provide constitutional
means for dispensing with others not
needed and reduce expenditures in other
branches: looking to reduction Of current
expenses Of the State moi exceeding $780,
600, and that preportionate reduction he
made on all salaries.
BY Mr.. MARSHALL: 4 resolution for the
election Of Judge Of the County Court OF
Russell and city Judge OF Dauyilc on the
18th instant, accustomed by the resignation
OF Judges Fry and Flournoy.
By Mr.. SMITH: A resolution as TO the eX-
pcdiencv OF selling the States interest III Che
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
railroad.
BY Mr. MASSEY: A bill for the relief 81
Henry Massey, of Aibcmaric county. Va.
BY Mir. JOHNSON: Rcsokred (thc House OF
Delegates concurring}. That the Governor
is hereby authorized and directed to appoint
three competent persons to prepare and
mature plan for the thorough re0rganiza-
ton of the administrative department of
the government in the Offices of the Audi
tor OF Public Accounts, Treasurer, Second
Auditor, Register Of the sand Office, Sec
rotary Of the Commonwealth, Superin-
tendent Of Public Printing superintendent
of Public Buildings, Board Of Public
Works, penitentiary, and commissioners
of the sinking fund, so that the govern
ment may be more economically and care
fully administered. They shall report the
conclusions to which they Srriyc and such
bill or bills as may be necessary to carry out
such plan for reorganization
By Dir. MASSEY: 4 bill prescribing the
manner in which public frecs-chool funds
shall be collected, and requiring them to be
paid TO the credit of the literary fund, and
e.. N
Ry MIR. SLEMP: A bill to repeal the act to
raise revenue for the support OF free schools
and encourage wool-growiDg in the county
Of Lee. Approved February 6, 1871.
By Mr.. WOoD: A bill to amend the tenth
section OF chapter 202 Of the Code OF 1878, in
relation to summoniag jurors in criminal
cases.
THE VOTE FOR GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT
... GOVERNOR.
MIR. TAL1AFERRo, from the House OF Del
eoates. reported that that body had adopted
n Joint resolution providing for the count-
ing Of the vote for Governor and Lienten-
ant-Goveruor by the two houses OF the Gen
| eral Assembly, as provided in section OF
article Of the Constitution, on the 10th ill.,
| slant. ......
The Senate agreed to the resolution.
| The Senate also agreed with the House OF
| Delegates to the amendment charging the
Committee on Reipportionment OF Men,
bers Of the Senate and House OF Delegates.
REDUCTION OF SALARIES OF STATE OFFICERS.
Mr.. HURT, Of Halifax, moved to take up
Joint resolution for the appointment OF
Joint committee, consisting Of three on the
mart Of the Senate and five on the part Oh
the House, with instructions to inquire
into and report such legislation as may bt
necessary to reduce the pay OF all salarleo
| officers OF the State 90 per cent or tue
amount now paid except the Judges OF The
Court of Appeals and the Governors; ant
IA reduce the pay Of the members OF thu
General Assembly and its officers like per
centaee. and also all fees, costs. and charges
incurred by the State in criminal EXPENSES
a like percentage: and that said committee
he instructed to inquire into ana report a
to the expediency OF such legislation as ma.
; he necessary TO reduce a like percentage al
appropriations made to the schools and col
leges and other public institutions OF TIT
State.
Agreed to.
Mr.. SMITH, presented the following sub
stitute:
Whereas the present ordinary annual eN
penses of the State government exceed b.
) S46S, 900 such average expenses before tb
war, from 1850 to 1860, Notwithstanding tn
, area OF the State was then more than thirt
. larger, and its taxable values were almoS
twice as great as they are now; therefor
be it
Resolued (the House OF Delegates concur
riEg), That Joint committee, consisting o
three from the Senate and five from tn
House, be appointed, with instructions t.
examine into the expenses OF every depart
ment of government, and report, by bill
, otherwise. sucl measures as will bring aoou
lust and fair reduction OF such eXpendi.
lures and rigid system OF economy OF sue
expenditures consistent with the emDal
rassed condition OF the Commonwealth.
Mr.. HURT said he was anxious that re
duction should be made in order that IN
!, interest may be paid on the State debt. ii
had not proposed any change in the salarle
, of the Judges of the Supreme Court becaus
q their pay is fixed by the Constitution.
MIR. CHILES advocated Mr. HURTS reSolll
ton. He said that the substance OF MI
Tu'sresolution had been presented ever
!, year for long period and nothing had eve
been done. He thought the time had com
when general reduction should be made I
) relieve the now over-burdened Taxpayers
the State. Twenty per cent. reductio
! would save 100000 to the State. 1t was
: move in the right direction. He hoped th
: substitute would not be adopted, because
). held out promise made every year sine
/ the war by the Legislature which had neye
! been carried out.
Mr.. KoINER wanted to labor Cor retrenct
ment In the right direction. He though
Y ! the substitute q very proper one. "a
\ thought that the committee should have th
t~.t.