The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-02-28
Legislative Notes.

RETRENCHMENT.-I will be very graft
flying to the people to learn that the :-egis-
lature is faithfully redeeming the pledge of
retrcnchment. The bill, Which has passed
both branches of the Legislature, reducing
the salaries of State officers. it is estimated,
will effect saving of $4,000. The bill for
the revision of the Criminal Code, which
is ready to be reported, will curtail the GRIM
inal expenses at least $4,000. If the effort
now being made to lease the Penitentlary sue
ceeds, it will constitute an economic item of
100000. Here is $4,000, which, it is be-
lieved, can be and will be saved to the peo-
pie, as the result of the earnest labors of the
present Legislature in the interest of econo-
my, and to enable the State to pay as much
of the interest on the public debt as possible.
We are not much In favor OF low-priced
men or low prices for men who are capable
and honest. We think it is economy to pay
good, competent man good salary. for it
will be saving in the end
THE SEssIoN.-The Committee on Courts
of Justice reported that this session is the
first biennial session under the amended
Constitution.
JUDICIARY.-Iti is believed that the pres.
ent Judicial Circuits will not be disturbed,
but the salaries Of the Judges will be cut
down considerably. Weare opposed to this.
OF all public officers the Judiciary should be
paid liberal competency. There will be
warm contests in some of the Circuits. 1t is
thought Judge Mclaughlin will be re elect
ed.
On Friday next lie Joint Assembly will
proceed to the election OF Circuit Judges and
a Judge for the Hastings Court of Rich-
mond.
MIscELLANEoUs.-Ab bill has been pre-
sented to incorporate the Warm, Hot, Heal
ing Springs and Coyington Narrow Gauge
Railroad.
The House ;oiFt Fesolution ia relation to
tile Mccormick telescope, was, on motion of
Mr.. Hanger, taken up out of its order and
passed.
Next Saturday, at l o'clock, is the time
fixed by the General Assembly for The elec-
ton Of Treasurer, Second Auditor and Rail-
road Commissioner.
The candidates mentioned for the office of
Treasurer are Hon. R. M. L, Hunter, pres
cnt incumbent, Senator G, T. Smith, and
Mr.. Warner Il. Taliaferro, member of the
House from Norfolk city.
For Second Auditor Gen. Asa Rogers,
present incumbent, and Mr.. T. NJ. McMul-
len, member of the House from Greene
county,
Col. Thomas Carter, the present Railroad
Commissioner, has no opposition.
Mr.. L. Spicer Curlett has succeeded ad-
mirably in making a fool of himself His
resolution to sell the statue of Washington
to redeem the credit of the State, because,
as he alleges, the money with which it was
erected was borrowed and not returned,
shows that he would make sport over his
mothers grave. OF course the proposition
was dismissed.
petition from the citizens of Staunton
was presented by Mr.. Hanger asking for a
change in the law as to the powers and the
duties of constabies.
Senate bill providing for the lease of the
Penitentary and hiring of convict labor was
passed in the House on the 18th.
In the House, last week. Mr.. VanLear pre-
sented a petition of citizens of Augusta
county for the relief of J. Newton Perry
from the payment of fine imposed upon
him by the County Court.