The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-04-03
CAPITOL TOPICS.
Serious Illness OF Judge A. B. Cochran,
OF Augusta.

Serious Illness OF Judge A. B. Cochran,
OF Augusta.
THE SENATOR FROM AUGUSTA STRICKEN
WITH PARALYsIs-HIs CONDITION LATE
LAST NIGHT-MEMENTOEsO OF THE MER-
RIMAC-RAILROAD CoMMIsSIONER-CAU-
Gus TO TAKE PLACE TO-DAY, &C., &C.
About O'Clock yesterday afternoon Sem
ator A. B. Cochran, Of Augusta, was stricken
with paralysis in the Senate chamber. The
Buchanan and Clifton Forge Railroad bill
was under consideration at the time- and
the roll had been called on its passage. and
the Judge was arguing that it required
twenty-five votes, as it proposed to appro-
pirate State property (convlct labor to the
railroad company. He had been on hls feet
but few moments when his voice thickened
and he sank into his seat. The termination
of his argument was not so abrupt as to
cause much notice, and some little time
elapsed before his condition aroused atten-
ton. Then Senator DR. Lawson and others
went to him and found him helpless in his
chair He was removed to the rotunda
amid considerable excitement, which caused
q total suspension OF business in the Senate
chamber and an interruption OF the pro-
ceedings of the House.
In the rounda the Judge was laid upon
settee brought from the Senate chamber, and
Drs. Lawson, Num-, Moffett, Beazley, and
Quesen berry .sof the Senate, and Cox, Barnes,
Clarke, Smith, and others of the House
gathered around to render what assistance
they could. They found the Judge severely
affected down one side and unable to articu-
late distinctly. They bled him from the
left arm, relieving him of about pint OF
blood.
The city ambulance was telegraphed for,
but while it was coming great number OF
friends congregated around the Judge, and
it became necessary to remove him to the
western yestibule and to have the Capitol
police keep back the crowd in order that he
might have fresh air. In the ambulance he
was removed to the American Hotel, where
he boards.
The occurrence had visible effect upon
business throughout the day, and many
were the wishes expressed for the Judges
speedy return to health. When stricken,
Judge Cochran was occupying temporarily
the seat OF Mr.. Flnnev. He has not EN- ioyed
the best OF health for several years, but
being fat and thick, and somewhat inclined
to apoplexy, he has been quite careful in
matters OF diet and exercise. Though he
looks older, Judge Cochran is under forty.
At 1890 O'Clock last night Judge Cochran
was thought to be in an improving condi-
ton. He seemed to be in full possession OF
his mental faculties. His speech, though
thick, was such as could be readily under
stood by his attendants. His left arm and
leg were, however, badly paralyZed. His
general condition gave the hope OF recov-
cry, though it is admitted that within the
next twelve hours some change for the
worse may occur. Many friends have called
to see him, but have been denied admission,
as the attending physicians consider it
highly important that he should have per-
feet quiet for days and days to come.
MEMENToEs OF THE MERRIAAC.
The following correspondence has taken
place:
"HoUsE OF DELEGATES,
RICHMOND, Va, March 81, 1877. !
" Hon. Marshall Hanger, Speaker Of the
House of Delegates:
"Mr. Speaker,-I beg you to accept here
with, for use as the presiding officer OF this
body, gavel manufactured of livc-oak from
the Confederate iron-clad 'Vlrginia,' q ship
which, in the waters OF Virginia, inaugu-
rated new era in naval warfare, and gave
to the world an example OF maritime pow
ers hitherto without a parallel.
II have the honor to be, very respect
fully, your obedient servant,
al. D. STARKE."
RICHMOND, VA,
tHoUsE OF DELEGATES, March 81, 1877.
&" Hon. L. D. Starlce, House of Delegates:
Sir,-Please accept my grateful acknowl-
edgments for the. beautiful gaVel made OF
the live-oak from the Confederate iron-clad
Virginia, presented by you for my use as
the presiding officer Of the House of Dele
gates.
at will be delivered by me upon the adj
iournment OF the General Assembly to the
proper officer OF the House for the use of
my successor, and will doubtless be trans
mitted through generations to come as one
of the pleasing "reminiscences OF the heroic
struggle in which our native State bore such
honorable part, both by land and sea.
every respectfully, your obedient SER
want, MARSHALL HANGER,
"Speaker OF House OF Delegates"
A correspondence of similar purport has
taken place between Mr.. Starke and Lieu
tenant-Goyernor Thomas.
RAILROAD COMMISSIONER.
The conference of Conservative members
of the two houses, called for Yesterday af-
ternoon to nominate q commissioner OF
railroads, was postponed until this Cues
dav) afternoon by request OF several men,
bers. It Is now certain that there will be a
| spirited contest for the nomination. The
candidates mentioned are Colonel Thomas
Fl. Carter, of King William; General Jo-
seph E. Johnston, and Sergeant-at-Arm
Hill, OF the House of Delegates. The salary
| is So, 900 per anuum, and the commissioner
will appoint clerk at $1,000 per annum.
EXTRA SESSION.
At present it seems hardly possible that
the Buchanan and Clifton Forge Railroad
bill can be passed at the present session; !;
certainly it cannot unless its opponents help
to take it from the calendar after it is re-
ported from the committee. They did not
| pursue that sort OF course yesterday. Had
they it need not have been referred to COM
mittee. It seems understood that Governor
Kemper will convene the Legislature in
extra session if this or some other similar
bill is not passed before adjournment to-
morrow. Most OF the members seem really
| opposed to an extra session, but they ac'
knowledge that it is in the power OF the
minority to defeat the bill, and thus, in oil
probability, call forth such Executive action
as they desire.
COMPLIMENT TO CLERK.
The following resolution was unanimously
adopted by the House Committee of Roads,
etc., at their final meeting yesterday morn,
ing:
Resolued by the Committee of Roads and
Internal Nauigation, That we are unwill.
| ing to adjourn without an explicit and
formal recognition OF the valuable services
rendered the committee by It's faithful, able
and ACCOMPLISHED clerk, Major D. A. Car