The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-04-05
OLD FRIENDS GONE.
A,1Iournment OF the Legislature.

THEY HAVE DONE AND FAILED TO Do
IMPORTANT BILLS PASSED UpoN THE
CLOSING HOURS OF THE sEssION-AGRI-
CULTURAL COM MISSIONER APPOINTED.
The Legislature after one hundred and
twenty days' session, adjourned last night.
Their works will live Tor dic) upon the
pages of the Acts Of Assembly, but as the
people generally will not go there to review
them, abrief and rapid survey OF the most
prominent points Of legislation, and Of the
most important incidents connected with
the two houses, is here given.
In the place OF Judge Wood Bouldin, OF
the Supreme Court OF Appeals, who died
Just previous to the meeting OF the General
Assembly, the two houses elected E. &.
Burks. OF Bedford. This choice has proved
to be frst-rate one. The decisions SO far
written by Judge Burks are among the best
that have emanated from that distinguished
court. The question OF reapportioning the
State for representation In the two houses
was raised early in the session, and, after
| long delay, the House passed a bill which
the Senate killed off. a committee of. fifteen
| to revise the criminal laws was appointed,
with authority to employ clerk. Their
|
was presented some weeks ago, and was
adopted substantially by the House, but did
not reach the Senate in time for deliberate
consideration, and was laid upon the table.
There it was smothered to death. Resolu-
tions were passed thanking w. w. Corco-
ran for his donation Of $4,000 in State
bonds to the University OF Virginia.
Colonel George L. Strother having re-
signed his position as Superintendent OF the
Pententiary, Colonel Samuel A. Swami, 4
member Of the House OF Delegates, was
chosen to fill the vacancy. The Governor
sent in his message, in reply to resolution
Of inquiry from the House, recommending
that the offices OF Second Auditor, Register
OF Land Office, and Superintendent OF Pub
lie Printing be abolished, &c, &c. After
long and patient investigation the commit
tees and the House, with great unanlmity,
decided that the Governors views were i'm
practicable. On the 14th OF December the
Clifton Forge extension was specially
brought to the attention of the General AS
sembly. The lease-bill was subsequently
passed and vetoed by the Governor. After
another measure on the subject. Resolu-
tions in respect to the memory OF General
Bagwell passed.
The death OF Colonel John W. Minor,
doorkeeper OF the Senate, took place at bis
home, in Loudoun. The vacancy was not
filed by election, but By resolution Mr..
Wilson, the ianitor Zone OF the most polite
and obiging OF gentlemen), was requested
to discharge the duties, which he did with
perfect satisfaction. Several bills for pro-
lection OF fish and game passed. All dog
laws voted down. The disabilities OF q
large number Of gentlemen supposed to
have been engaged as principals or seconds
in duels were removed. Mr.. G. U. Will
lams's bill, providing that municipal as
sessments shall not exceed State assessments,
was amended and passed. The bill intro
luced by General Bradley T. johnson, to
provide for the appointment OF railroad
commissioners, was reported with substi-
tute, which latter was adopted. Under this
Colonel Thomas II. Carter, OF King William,
was elected the commissi ioner. The award
of the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS boundary-line
commissioners was received, and provisions
made for payment OF arbitrators and coun-
sci.
Senator Motfett exhibited his whiskcY
register (the invention OF himself and AIR.
Otis Deane), and introduced his bill, which,
under the lead Of Mr.. Armstrong, passed
the House, was then endorsed by the Sen
! dLG anu Iuc uOfehhols Ill SA-
fort to endorse the electoral bill failed in
the House. The bill to appoint coGmis-
sioner OF agriculture, introduced by DIR.
Strayer, became law. DR.. Thomas Pol
lard, Of Hrnrico, was on yesterday appoint
ed and confirmed commissioner. .,
The commissioners selected Hare's farm,
near Petersburg, as the site for the new
Central Lunatic Asylum, and the city OF
Petersburg agreed TO purchase it and make
it present to the State. The Senate passed
bill appropriating $125,000 for the erec-
ton Of the necessary buildings thereon,
but the bill failed in the House. A bill to
re0rganize the police system OF Rich
mond was proposed. After warm
fight in committee a substitute, drafted by
by General johnson, was adopted and be-
came law The bill to regulate uniform
ity OF textbooks was vetoed by the Gov
ernor, and thus perished. Large numbers
OF the members of the Legislature signed re-
Communications to Tilden for tho appoint
ment of friends to Federal Office. Applica-
ton for pardon of Coleman asked by many
members and refused. Old tax-bill amended
in few particulars only. By a bill OF which
Ex-Governor Smith was the patron, and
which became law, couneilmen and city
officials were forbidden to contract with
their municipalities for supplies.
The Governor claimed that the Chesa-
peake ana Ohio railroad was forfeited to the
State. The claim not sustained by action
of the two houses. The Governor was re-
quested. by both houses to employ coun-
sci to investigate the settlement with the
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company.
Legislators salary bill passed and time OF
meeting Of next General Assembly fixed.
The great work OF Senator C. 7. Smiths
| legislative life was accomplished in the
adoption by both houses of his bill to pro-
tect the prDperty-rights Of married women.
Colonel Crittcnden, first doorkeeper OF the
House, was arrested, charged with forgery
and grand larceny. The Committee on
Rules recommended that he be suspended by
the House, but through fear that such action
might prejudice his case before trial the re-
port was passed by from day to day.
The Virginia Agricultural and Mechani'
cal College at .Blacksburg was helped to the
| extent of $4,000 to complete ats buildings
4 employees on rnilroads were giFen;a lien in
!, the nature of 10 mechanics liens the West
Point Railroad bill was choked out Of life,
and dozens Of other measures sef interest
and local Importance were made into laws
LAST HarRs OF THE DEPARTEI.
i Up to the time of meeting of the two
|:hauSes last nightit was believed by many
that the Governor would call an extra ses.
sinE to consider the Clifton Forge exten.
i sion. Members generally expressed the
wish that he wauln not impose this addi.
tionsl duty and consequent loss Of time
from home upon them, but patriotieally de-
/ clafeG that if he ,inSi ste1 thew uo,yId he