The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-03-28
s The Revised Criminal Code.


Both houses of the General Assembly
have passed the bill revising the criminal
code of the State, and by the signature Of
the Governor it has become a law.
Tie maiI feature of the bill is the re-
trenehment itinqugurates in the matter OF
the criminal charges, which it is claimed
will save about $4,000 per annum and at
the penitentiary by the reduction of the
number of offences punishable by confine-
ment in that institution.
The Richmond Dispatch makes the fol-
lowing summary of its provisions:
1t abolishes, as far as practica bic, one
year terms of confinement in the penltenti-
ary. r.
In all cases of petty larceny and minor
offences of like character stripes have been
substituted for confinement in jail. i
The intermarriage Of whites and negroes
is made a felony, punished with confne-
ment in the penitentiary not less than two
nor more than ten years.
In all cases of conviction for misdemean-
or the court or justice trying the case shall
ascertain the punishment where the same
is not fixed bylaw; provided, that not more
than thirty-nine stripes shall be inflicted on
one day, nor more than seventy eight for
one offence. Where a female is convicted
of an offence punishable by stripes she may.
in the discretion of the court, be punished
by confinement in Jail not exceeding twelve
months.
No fine shall be assessed by court at
less than five dollars, nor by justice at less
than two dollars and half.
The county court, except where other
wise provided, shall have exclusive iurisdic-
ton of all offences except where punishable
by death, and in that case the accused may
elect to be tried in the circuit court.
Any sheriff or sergeant conveying prison.
ers to the peuitentiary are to be allowed on
ly one guard where there are two or more
convicts, and in all other cases no guard
shall be allowed.
Any person confined in Jail for failure to
pay fines and costs may hire himself out for
4 tme-not exceeding six months-suffi-
cient to pay such fine and costs, the con-
tract to be with the assent of the prison.
er, attorney for the Commonwealth, and
Judge of the court having jurisdiction.
The jail-fees have been materially re-
duced; 40 cents is now the allowance In
all cases. The bill proposes scale of rates
40 cents for any number under 3, 80 cents
under 10. and % cents for all exceeding 10.
This will make a reduction of at least &c.,
600 per annum in the criminal expenses, it
is claimed.
Whenever practicable the clothing for
prisoners confined in Jail must be obtained
from the Store-keeper of the Pententiary.
and the jaler in all cases must make affida-
Wit that the plice charged is not in excess of
the amount paid for such clothing.
Grand iuries are only to be held in the
county court twice year, unless specially
ordered blythe court. One dollar per day
shall! be allowed for service upon the grand
Jury.
The allowance for the feeding of the ju-
ry in all criminal cases shall be at the rate
of 81 per entire day-or, in other words,
dollar shall not be allowed for one meal.
In all cases where, upon the tria! for an
offence not punishable by death or confne-
ment in the penitentiary ten years, the ju-
ry shall not be kept together, but. shall be
treated as jurors in civil cases, unless the
court directs otherwise.
A great saving will be made in the trans
portation of convicts, the railroad compan-
les having agreed to take convicts and their
guards atthe rate of two cents per mile.
In the matter Of carrying concealed wea-
pons the House amended the bill by striking
out the imprisonment feature, and provid-
ing that parties convicted shall not be fined
more than sac. i-l. --o
An important new feature Of the law is
as follows :sss' fist WV
IF any person have in his possession any
tools, implements, or other outfit known as
burglars tools, implements. or other ont
fit, with intent to commit burglary or lar
ceny, he shall be deemed guilty of felony,
and on conviction thereof shall he punished
by confinement in the penitentiary not less
than five nor more than ten years. The
possession of any such burglarious tools,
implements, or outfit. shall be prma facie |
evidence of an intent to commit but glary, |
robbery, OF larceny"
The bill prohibits persons from giving or
taking money to influence votes, and does |
not allow any one to pay the poll tax OF an
other to get his vote, and makes the giver |
and taker each liable to punishment for
misdemeanor. *r"tafs
The following section seriously affects
the captains and sergeants of police in
Richmond, perhaps, in other cities, too:
mo justice, constable, sergeant, captain
or sergeant Of police. who receives salary
or allowance for general services out of the
Treasury of his county, city, or corporation,
shall receive any fees for services in Grim
inal case from the State, city, or county,
but all fees to such officer shall be paid by
the party against whom Judgment is rem
|
any city or corporation court may make an
allowance not exceeding 5000 year to each
Of two constables Or sergeants OF police of
such city or corporation, to be paid to them
in lieu of all fees for serving criminal pro-
cess of any kind, which allowance shall be
paid out of the Treasury
The CT y Sergeant of Richmond will re-
,eive twenty-five cents per day for each of
he prisoners confined in jail and that is
The chief-in fact, nearly the whole-pay
allowed him by the State for keeping the
all and furnishing the deputies to the Hust-
ngs Court. The following amendment,
'ffered in the House by General Anderson,
nd concurred iii by the Senate, was in
ended to repair the injury done by too
.reat reduction OF the income of this Off
err:
Provided, That in the cities of Rich {
nond Ind Alexandra the judge of the
iustings or Corporation Court shall, with
he consent OF the City Council, make an t
llowailce to pay the necessary and proper >
aiaries of such number of deputy sergeants
s said Judge shall consider needful, and
ict an allowance shall be paid out OF the {
reasury of said eitiee.'' i
The bill will not become operative until .,
Ne LIST OF July.
For SICK OR NERVOUS HEADACHE.
sseiVe habit, inactive liver, and to ward off !
lalartaa fereIs ''Dr. Swayne's Tar and Sar- o
lpariiia Fills" are very effective. They y
It gently, without any gripping or unpleas-
1C sensation whatever lpayipor No I,o1 q