The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-01-13
LOCAL MATTERS
HeSfs,a,syet items.

MEMORIAL FROM THE, E,ATTORNEY-GENERAL-1 IN
RELATION TO THE PAY. AND PERQUIsITES OF
HIS UFElCE-THE PRINTING INVESTIGATION,
&C., &C. es.,,s. .e4.ssgss''t IS -.%I
4 memorial from the Attorner-G General
has been presented to the General Assembly
in which he respectfully asks that body to
consider the question whether it can, under
the Constitution and laws OF the State, de-
priye him Of one third of the compensation
prescribed by law ut the time he was elected
and entered upon the discharge of the du-
ties OF his office. He claims that under the
Constitution the Attorney General is q part
Of the judiciary that he is elected for u
specitied term. and can only be removed
from office during that term in the mode
prescribed for the removal Of judges; that
il the Legislature can change his compensa-
ton during his term Of service it may do so
Mt any time and to any extent, and by re-
fucjpe the amount to mere nominal one
may compel resignation, amounting to 4
removal in mode forbidden by the Consti-
tuition.
He insists that whenever (as in several
cases) the General Assembly has reduced the
salary it in express terms made the law
take effect only from the beginning OF new
term.
But conceding the power Of the General
Assembly, he asks is it generous, after he
has given up his private business and un-
dertaken that of the State. when the first
year OF his term is only half expired, to de-
priYe him of large portion OF the salary
which the law fixed, and which he had
every reason to expect would be paid to him.
He very distinctly disclaims any desire to
have extra compensation. He only asks
what the law declared he should receive.
Since the 1st OF July, 1878, he has paid out
of his private means the rent OF his otnce,
notwithstanding the law authorized h!m to
rent the office, provided he did not eXpend
more than S40O.
He asks the General Assembly to consider
whether, after, in pursuance OF law, he
rented for a year, it could properly repea
the law. during the year and throw the un
expired rent upon him.
lie also calls attention to the fact that The
hostage necessary for use in his office has tt
be paid for out Of his private means, while
every other officer connected with the State
government is fully supplied at the pubic
expense. He calls attention to other mat
ters of minor importance in which bis office
is uniustly Disseminated against, and ask:
the General Assembly to do right i'll tht
premises. ,".--.,-
PUBLIC PRINTING.
The Joint Committee on PrintinG-Sena
tor Bland chairman-mct in the Senate
chamber Saturday. Mr. Goode concluded
his testimony, and it was then arranged
that the committee would adjourn unit
Wednesday night at S O'Clock, when Colo
mel Gordon will open the argument
Messrs. G. D. Wise and G. V: Meredith vii
follow on behalf OF Captain FraySer. Col
one Gordon will close. Counsel have nc
limited time in which to present their views
OFFICERS N SOME DANGER.
The House Committee on Offices and
Officers OF the Capitol have had under con
sideration the propriety of abolishing tht
offices of Second Auditor, Railroad Com
| missioner, and Commissioner OF Agricul
ture. 1t may be stated, unotic!ally but i
| is believed accurately, that they are unani
| mously of opinion that the Office OF Secont
Auditor should be maintained; but con
siderable number, if not majority, favo
the abolition Of the two Commissioners
places. ....
A report will probably be presented dur
ing this week. sEi-,