Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-07-09
From the Richmond Dispatch, July Isl. ]


The new criminal code of the State
that is to say the criminal laws as re-
yised and collected in one act at the last
session of the General Assembly-will
go into operation to-day. The commit
tee of revision, in reporting to the Gen
eral Assembly the result of their labors,
said -
1.-THE committee feel satisfied that
most of the changes made in existing
laws are salutary, and will commend
themselves to the favor of the General
Assembly. Retrenchment in the mat
ter OF criminal charges has constituted
one of the main objects sought to be &C
complished, while at the same time the
legal rights of parties accused of crime
have been sedulously guarded. 1t is be-
lieved by the committee that the effect
of this revision will to very consider
able extent reduce the expenditures of
the State for criminal charges, and tend
to check the over crowding of the peni-
tentiary by reducing the number Of of
fences punishable by confinement there
inn
The prominent features have been
briefly referred to from time to time, but
the people generally, in view of the fact
that the laws were not to become imme-
diately operative, gave them no very
thoughtful attention, and to nearly eve
ry one they are new to this day.
The present seems an opportune mo-
ment to point out those. changes and
new provisions which are of general
public interest-as folloWs:-
NO VOTES TO BE BOUGHT.
If any person directly give to voter
in any election any money, goods, OF
chattels, or pay his capitation-tax, un-
der an agreement, expressed or rimplied,
that such voter shall give his vote for a
particular candidate, such person shall
be punished by fine not less than $40
nor more 500. And the voter receiv-
ing such money, goods, or chattels, OF
having his capitation-taxp paid in pursu-
ance of such agreement, shall be pun.
ished in like manner with the person
giving the same.-Chapter tx, section 26.
THE wHIPPING-PosT-FIN
In all cases of conviction for misde-
meanor the court or justice trying the
case shall ascertain the punishment
where the same is not fixed by law
Provided, that not more than thirty.
nine stripes shall be inflicted in one day
nor more than seventy-eight for one of.
fence, and that no fine shall be assessed
by court at less than SIS, or by justice
of the peace at less than $3.50, unless
otherwise provided by law.-Chapter x.
section "a.
Where person is convicted of petit
larceny, and it is alleged in the indict.
ment on which he is convicted and ad-
mitted, or by the jury or justice of the
peace before whom he is tried, that ht
has been before sentenced in the United
States for like offence, he shall be pun.
ished with stripes; and, in the discre
ton of the court or justice, may be sen.
fenced to work in the chain-gang, i
there be one established, in the county
or corporation in which he was tried
not exceeding twelve months.-Chaptel
x, section q.
PUNISHMENT OF FEMALES.
In any case, where female is con.
victed of an offence punishable by stripes
she may, in the discretion of the court
be punished by confinement in Jail, no
exceeding twelve months, instead of by
stripes. Chapter X, section 20.
The above paragraph is under th'
wrong heading in the Acts of Assembly
It is in the proper place in Goode'.
Criminal Code. The latter has a fin,
index.
CITIES TO CLOTHE CHAIN-GANG MEN
Counties or cities using prisoners il
chain-gangs "shall provide for the pay
ment Of the expenses of said chain
gangs, and shall furnish the clothin.
necessary for such persons, to be pait
out of their city, town, and county treas
uries. .n-Chapter XII, section 25.
Persons may be allowed to work ou
fines and costs at twenty-five cents pc
day.
JURISDICTION OF COUNTY COURTS.
The county court, except where 9th
erwise provided, shall have exclusive
original jurisdiction for the trial of al
presentments, indictments. and infor
nation for offences committed within
their respective counties, and also of al
presentments, indictments, and infor
nations now pending in said courts
except that person to be tried for an,
felony for which he may be punishe
with death, may, upon his arraignmen
in the county court, demand to be trie
in the circuit Court having jurisdiction
over the county for which said count,