The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-14

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4 series OF essays upon the birth and
career on earth Of the Saviour.
For sale byJ. w. RANDOLPH & ENGLISH.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
..w.@.: TUESDAY, February 10, 1877.
SENATE.
The Senate met at - M.-Lieutenant-
Governor THOMAS presiding NO prayer.
PRESENTED AND REFERRED. ..a
Ry Mr.. DUFrIELD: Bill in relation to the
sale OF certain church property in Norfolk
county. ,..
town OF North Danyille.
By Mr.. GRIMsLEY: Bill to incorporate
the bedford Alum and Iodine Springs Com.
pany. :.
By Mr.. MoFrETT: Bill authorizing the
commissioners of the sinking fund to re-
fund certain sterling stock. ~
By same !: Bill authorizing the same fund
to sell certain bonds.
By Mr.. HINTON: Resolution requesting
the Committee on Constitutional Amend
ments to inquire into the expectancy OF
striking from the Constitution section IS OF
article 6. Agreed to. 49,
!" Nv Mr., Penn: Bill to authorize the trrs-
tees Of Jacksonville Regular Baptist church,
Of Floyd county, to borrow money.
VIRGINIA AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. ..
The Senate bill, with House amendments,
exempting from taxation the landed pro-
perry OF the Virginia Agricultural Society
was taken up, on motion OF Mr. LEE, who,
in a speech OF half an hour urged the eX-
emption OF this property from taxation
upon the ground that it was State institu-
ton. The roll had been commenced to be
called when Mr.. DANIEL arose and desired
to present an amendment, but the CHAIR
ruled that he could not arrest the calling
of the roll to submit any matter. The ques-
ton upon agreeing to the report OF the
committee was decided in the affirmative
ayes, 2G; noes, 10.
Mr.. Penn moved reconsideration OF the
vote for the purpose OF Offering an amend
ment.
| Mr.. DANIEL said he sympathized with the
gentleman from Fairfax (Mr. LEG in his
laudable efforts to secure this privilege Tor
a Society which is the pride OF the whole
State, and he would lend his assistance to
paiu that as far as he could do SO conscieil.
tiously: but, according TO the Constitution
|
Grant the favor asked for this Society, as 1t
! IS not State institution in the sense meant
4 in the Constitution, nor is it an educational
or charitable society. And il We, should
view this institution as III educational So
ciety, aud free it from taxation, then all OF
the similar societies IN the State will come
i he and ask like privilege ut our hands.
| Mr., DANIEL submitted an amendment
providing that all property held by the So
cciety shall be deemed to be held by it in
trust exclusively for the purposes or the
State, and shall be used by said Society to
| carry out the objects contemplated by its
charter; and in the event OF its dissolution
shall revert to and rest in the Common.
wealth, to be used for the purposes contem-
plated in its incorporation.
Mr.. JOHNSON held that the Legislature,
under the Constitution, would have rs
muc. right to exempt the property OF
the Society now as it would II the
amendment OF the Senator from Camp
bell OR. DANIEL) were adopted.
Mr.. ALLAN favored the extension OF the
privilege asked for by the Society. He said
il there was one interest III which he would
strain point in literally constituting the
section OF the Constitution in relation to eX-
emptlng certain species OF property from
L
the people of this State had exempted all
capital employed in manufacturing purposes
the taxable values in this State would have
been so greatly enlarged that the voice OF
the repudiationst would have been forever
silcnced, and the prosperity OF the Com.
monwealth very much enhanced. -
Mr.. DANIEL, again taking the floor, stated
that his amendment would not change the
objects OF this Society, but would make 1t
q spccific State institution, rs contemplated
in the Constitution. 1t could not, as some
senators seem to claim, be called al educa.
tional institution, although, in an incidental
way, it tended to the education and improve.
mcnt of the youth OF the State engaged In
AGRICULTURAL pursuits. 2 .1r>i'','. 'i!'s-
Mr.. BLAND opposed reconsideration Of
the vote. 80 :tr ~ ~" 80 -'.-..,:1 .
In. answer to question BY Mr.. Penn,
Mr.. LEE said personally he did not object
to the amendment proposed by Mr.. DANIEL
Mr.. PENN said, without discussing the
i legal questions involved in the bill, he
thought 1t but proper for the Senate to Sc
cure the interest OF the State by reconsider.
. ing the vote and adopting the amendment,
which will secure this end. RI" -
Mr.. LEE said that il there was any doubt
upon the minds OF senators as to the constl-
nationality OF this measure he hoped they
would resolve these doubts in favor OF the
Society.
The Senate refused to reconsider the vote,
and the vote was recorded as follows:
1 AYEs.-Mesfrs. Critcher. Daniel, Dawson. Dick.
! enson, Dufleld, Eubank, Finney, Greever, Grims-
ley. Herndon, Hinton Jones, Moifett, and Penn IL
NoEsMeasrs Alan Behzley, Bhana, ca ARK
| son, Lee, Marshall, Newberry, Num-, POWELL que
senbcrry, Slemp, Smith, Splitter, Tanner, Ward
Wood, and Wortham-23. faf
THE APPoRTIoNMENT QUESTION.
AT 2 O'Clock the specinl order Of the day,
the report of the Committee for Courts o,
Justice upon resolution whether the mp.
/ portionment of the Legislature could take
1 place before November, 1879 came up.
"A motion of Mr.. ALLAN to adjourn was
rejected. ':,F oa.f.".
! Mr.. PENN offered the following joint re-
solutions, and asked that the rules be sus'
pended and that they be considered to-day
4 Whereas grave questions have arisen
respecting the construction OF article
lis iof the amended Constitution adopt.
j ed by the people. at the general
election held in November, 1876; and
whereas it Is highly important that no mis-
take be made by the General Assembly In
its action thereon, and much diferenceiol
4 opinion exists MS totheir powerin the prem
Uses; therefore be ii n ,gil2 1ss,} =, T,,s !:
RESOLVED by the General Assembly !,
That the Supreme Court OF Appeals be and
it is hereby: requested to return to the Cen
] eral Assembly un answer to the following
First, whether OF: not the election Tor sena-
Ia i tDl- IaIn "a