The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-03-07
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.

LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
ELECTION OF STATE OFFICERS. The
General Assembly on Saturday reelected
r. M. T. Hunter Treasurer, over c. T.
Smith, the Senator from Nelson, by a vote
CT So to 55; and Asa Rogers Second Audi
tor, over Mr.. McMullen, of Green, by vote
of 81 to a. Mr.. Koiner voted for Smith and
Rogers; Messrs. Echols and Hanger for
Hunter and Rogers, and vanLear for Hun
ter and McMullen.
The Legislature also elected George L..
Christian Judge of the Hastings Court of
Richmond, to fill the vacancy occasioned by
the death of Judge Guigon. the vote stand
irg Christian, g.; Neeson, Al.
Col. T. H. Carter was elected Railroad
Commissioner without opposition.
HOTCHKIss' SUMMARY OF VIRGINIA.
House joint resolution distributing copies Of
the Geographical and Physical Survey of
Virginia, by Jed Hotchkiss, 20 members Of
the General Assembly, came up, reported
from the Committee on immigration, with
the recommendation that it do not pass.
The recommendation of the committee was
not carried out, and the resolution was
agreed to.
MIsCELLANEoUs.-Bi for the relief of
John B. Potts, Treasurer of Allegheny
county, has passed the Legislature.
A bill for working OF roads and repairing
bridges in Rockbridge county has passed
the Legislature.
The Finance Committee reported adverse
ly on the proposition to suspend the period
ical payment of interest upon the debt Of
the Military Institute.
The joint resolution declaring that the
present is not the first biennial session under
the amended Constitution has been approved
by the Senate.
On motion of DR.. Moffett, in the House
on the 4th, the bill to take tie sense of the
people as to calling Constitutional Con-
vention, was taken up out of its order on
the calendar and was postponed and made
the special continuing order for March 5th.
This is very important bill, and should be
fearlessly acted upon. The present method
of amending the Constitution is an outrage
upon Justice, and pregnant of incalculable
wrong to the people. The two patches of
amendments already adopted, affecting very
seriously and wrongfelly the rights OF the
masses, have been adopted without the peo-
pie really knowing what they were voting
for. llto
The House Finance Committee on the 4th
reported against the bill imposing tax of
one cent for each cigar sold and two cents
for each package of cigarettes sold, the
cigar dealers to be furnished with Moffett
register, and ring the bell every time cigar
or package Of cigarettes is sold. That is,
they are required to use the register in selling
cigars as the liquor dealers use it when
drinks are sold.
The bill reducing the salaries OF public
officers has passed both branches Of the Leg
islature and is before the Governor.
The Legislature has determined that the
Constitutional amendments are not yet in
force as to the biennial session-that next
December the present body shall meet
again, and that the first biennial Legisla-
ture will assemble in December, 1879. The
last Legislature declared that this session
would be the first under the amendments.
but it seems the present body prefers to put
its own Interpretation upon the sect ion.
This is queer, when we reflect that num-
Der Of the representatives would not be in
the seats they occupy had it not been for the
disfranchisement of voters for failure to pay
the poll-tax, as provided in the amend
ments, and the corrupt use of money to buy
up delinquent voters.
The House having adjourned on the 1st
without executing the joint order for the cleo
ton of Circuit Judges, the election will not
take place until next fall, unless another joint
order shall be made before the 18th and ex-
ecuted. The Judges hold over until their
successors are appointed, so it will not
necessarily interfere with judicial business.
Mr.. Ficklin proposes commission to
bring in bill for the settlement Of the
o1dlC uOU W. " uC COLAPOSCu VI 0OVOlhoA LUZ
iday, Lieutenant-G Governor Walker, Attor-
ney General Field, Speaker Allen, Senator
Grimsley, James Barbour, Auditor Taylor,
and Thomas S. Bocock-the limit Of inter-
est to be 1865 per cent, &c. We thought
this was the business of the Legislature. In
view Of this confession had they not better
come home?
Mr.. Koiner, on the 9Th, introduced bill
in the Senate to provide for the CONSOLE
dation Of the debt, in four per cent. cou-
pom bond, non-t taxable, which was made
the special order for to-day, and the con-
tinuing order until disposed Of.
What is to be Done?
The exhibit made to the Finance Commit