The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-20
Labors OF the Legislators.
LITTLE HOPE FoR NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
& AND THE GRAND pUKE-BUNcoMBE-Ass

LITTLE HOPE ron NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
3 AND THE GRAND -BUNcOMBE-AssEss-
MENTs;-OYsTER wAR-MoFFETT PUNCH.
.Geueral b. Lindsay Walker and several
members OF the Richmond delegation yes.
terday presented to Governor Kemper a
strong petition. signed by numerous infu-
entail legislators and citizens, praying for
the pardon OF Colonel William D. Cole
man. The Governor said he would take
the matter under confederation, but from
language subsequently used by him no very
high hopes Of favorable action were raised
in the breasts OF the gentlemen present.
A mum Der of members will day leave
for Hampton to visit the Normal and AgTi-
cultural School there, and thence will pro-
ceed to inspect the Russian feet, now in
Hampton Roads. About the time the legis-
lators resolved to visit the 'feet.the Grand
Duke Alexis resolved to go to New York,
consequently they will not meet
The Senate on Saturday passed 4 resolu-
ton that the session ought not to be run
out to 4 greater length than ninety days.
Yesterday the House dismissed the resolu-
ton. or course the session will be extend
ed. II will last 120 days, anyhow. Both
houses are very backward with public busi-
ness. The committees are very poorly a.-
tended, and the sessions Of the bodies are
usually short.
Mr.. q. u. Wllliams's bill providing that
city assessments shall not exceed State as
sessments will be called up in a short time
In Richmond S3,000,00O more real estate is
assessed for city than for State purposes.
About - 900, 900 more OF personal property
is assessed for city than for State purposes.
In the Senate yesterday Mr.. Finney pre-
sented joint resolution directing the Gov
ernor to furnish Accomac county with fifty
rifle muskets and 1000 rounds Of ammuni-
tion for the prevention Of the encroachment
OF the Maryland oystermen, and for the en-
forcement Of the State laws. A new "oys-
ter war" must be expected.
Not a cent has been recovered from the
sureties Of anybody for the amount Of mo-
ney lost by the Coleman defalcation in 1874,
and for the Rockingham Bank bonds or
notes lost from the Treasury about the same
time.
The Motfett-punch bill is the special order
in the House Wednesday. 1t may not pass,
but 1t is certain that it will receive very
earnest support from number Of intiuen-
tial members. ~
In the House Yesterday there was pre-
sented bill concerning the trustees OF the
Richmond Female Institute, and authoriz-
ing the sale OF the Institute property, OF
any part thereof.
Most members Of the two houses now de-
clare that they never were, in favor OF the
Electoral Commission, and they are not
surprised at the fraud perpetrated upon
the Democrats. OF course. Then they
generally enter upon long and learned
dissertation upon the way the congressman
ought to have worked it. Bah They
know better how to do congressmen's work
than their own.
The cash in the State Treasury is running
very low, but the treasurers will before
long be coming in with their deposits.
The Senate Committee on Roads and In
ternal Navigation met last night in the Sen
ate chamber-Judge Critcher, the chairman,
presiding-to consider the matter referred
to in the special message of Governor KEN
per in relation to the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad. Judge Robertson, for the com
pany; James Alfred Jones; Esq, one Of the
States commissioners, and Hon. r. T. Dan
iel, Attorney General, made statements
after which the committee unanimously
voted that there is no occasion for Legislative
interference with the court (Judge Well
ford'S).