The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-31
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
Flfty-Sixtll Day.
WEDNESDAY, January 80, 1878,
SENATE. ,.tgl

WEDNESDAY, January 80, 1878.
SENATE. -: j" a1-sr.
mir. OuEsENBERRY in the chair. Prayer
by Rev. Ell. Melville jackson, Of Grace
(EpiscopaD church.
The Senate agreed to the amendment
proposed by the House to'Senate amend.
ment to the bill in relation to the Loudoun
fence law.
Mr.. GRIMsLEY, from the Committee OF
Finance, made special report on the sub
iect of the public debt, which. on his mo-
tion. was ordered to be printed.
Mr.. HURLof Halifax, from the Committee
on Agriculture, &C., reported a bill defining
the status OF the tobacco warehouses OF the
State: also, bill. to repeal the law making
Northanna river lawful fence, with the
recommendation that it do not pass.
PRESENTED AND REFERRED. H..
By Mr.. SHERRARD: a bill TO provide an
artificial limb for Michael Houlihan.
BY Mr.. DICKINSON: A resolution as to the
expediency OF providing by law for the
pavment Of certain fees into the Treasury.
By Mr.. HINTON: A bill for the relief OF
the Petersburg Aqueduct Company.
By Mr. JOHNSON: a bill to establish 4
bureau Of insurance.
By Mr.. GRIMSLEY: A communication
from the superintendent Of public schools
OF Culpeper asking certain amendments to
the school-laws.
By Mr.. WALsToN A petition of citizens
OF Northampton in relation to the. fishing
interests. .4sr ,.s J"
LEAVE OF ABsENCE-SICK. .., e
On motion Of Mr.. HAIRsToN, Mr.. BLISS
was granted leave of absence for three
days. 49, -. &o.h -
.Mr. MASSEY stated that Mr.. MURRAY was
detained from his seat by indisposition.
THE RATE OF TAXATION.
Mr.. HINTON presented the following:
Whereas the revenue of this Common
wealth, based on the present rate OF taxa
ton OF fifty cents on the one hundred dol
lars value. is inadequate to meet the eN-
penses OF the State, public schools, and inte-
rest on the public debt; and whereas interest
on the public debt should be paid in full
and whereas this cannot be done without
an increase in the present rate OF taxation
on personal property and real estate, and
licenses, and all other subjects now taxed by
law; therefore :.
Resolued, That the Finance Committee be
and are hereby instructed to report as early
as practicable such bill increasing the rate
Of taxation on licenses, personal property,
real estate, and all other subjects now taxed
by law. as will meet the current expenses
of the State, the public schools, the interest
on the public debt, and any other debts
now due, or that may become due during the
fiscal year, by the Commonwealth.
MIR. HINTON said he had little hope that
the resolution would pass, but he wanted
to 60 on the record as favoring an increase
of taxation to meet the necessities Of the
government and pay the interest on the
debt
Mr.. FULKERsoN said he would never vote
for an increase Of taxation until the debt
under the funding bill, which he believed
to be fraud, had been adjusted.
Mr.. HURT of Halifax presented substi-
tute directing the Committee OF Finance to
report such taX-bill as. may, in view Of a
reduction OF the expenses OF the govern
nent, be deemed advisable, so as TO pay full
semi-annual interest and support the gov
eminent.
Mr.. JOHNSON moved to amend the substi-
tute by adding the following Provided,
that such increased rate Of taxation shall
not 20 into effect until 1t shall be ascer-
tanned what amount can be saved by re-
trenchment in the expenses of the govern
ment, and it can also be ascertained what
amount Of the public debt can be refunded
with the consent Of the creditors OF the
State at a lower rate OF interest.
Mr.. BLAND moved to refer the resolutions
and amendment to the Committee Of FL
nance.
Mr.. BROOKE moved to postpone the whole
subject indefinitely.
Mr.. LEE, after long discussion, moved
to pass by the resolution so as to take up
the order Of the day-the public debt ques-
ton.
Mr.. LEE withdrew his motion to pass by.
The public-debt question in its various
forms was brought into the discussion OF
Mr.. HINToN's resolution, which occupied
the Senate all day and up to adjournment,
when Mr.. DANIEL had the floor.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Sneaker ALLEN in the chair. Prayer by
Rev. ]. q. Tyler, OF the sevcnth.Street
Christian church.
ADDITIONAL CLERK.
Senate joint resolution relative to the ap-
pointment OF clerk to the commissioners
to re6rganize the Offices OF government was
read twice and, referred to the Committee
on Officers and Offices at the Capitol.
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEES.
Finance: House bill providing for the re-
Of tract of land belonging to
James a. Frazier, Of Rockbridge county,
and for reiunding taxes enormously as
sessed thereon; House bill for the relief OF
Griffin Cundiff, Of the county OF MiddlescX,
against an erroneous assessment OF his land
and improvements thereon, with q recon-
that 1t do not pass; House bill
for the relief OF Thomas A. Beatty, OF War.
rem county, with recommendation that 1t
do not pass House bill to amend and re-
enact section Al of chapter Sc OF the Code
OF 1873, in relation to inspections, rs
amended by an act OF April 9, 1874.
II DELINQUENT TAX.
On motion OF Mfr. SOUTHWARK, it was
Resolped, That the Auditor OF Public
Accounts report to this House hether in
ilI cases where county levy ana schoo! tax
81 iand Returned Delinquent is rendered
/ s.,, IA rl,anyvas fila a0flin and p1g1aa Is aa