The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-02-18
Capisol Notes.
THE BUCKINGHAM EAILRo4D--CAEAL-RATL
ROAD BILL-THE ALLEGED DIVERSION OF
school. FUNDS, &C.. &C. aS5fa

Capitol Notes.
THE BUCKINGHAM MISUNDERSTANDING
ROAD BTLL-THE ALLEGED DIVERSION OF
SCHOOL FUNDS, &C.. &C.
/ Mr.. Ficklin, Of Buckingham, yesterday
introduced in the House bill for charter
fer the Buckingham railroad, to be run
from Bremo Bluff uia the slate quarries to
Buckingham Courthouse.
The proposed road is designed to cross
James river at New Canton (where splendid
stone piers are now standing), and is ex-
pecteG to develop the slate and mineral in
terests Of Buckingham and prove vaua-
BILE tributary Of the canai-railroad. The
present cost OF hauling slate from the quar-
rieS to the canal, it is said, will pay the in
terest on the entire cost Of the road. The
road viii pass through the famous gold
producing section Of Buckingham. and can
be built, it is claimed, at very small cost.
From the line Of this road the great West
can get roofng.slate pronounced to be the
finest in the world. The road will be eigh-
teen miles in length.
DIVERSION OF SCHOOL FUNDS.
In the Senate yesterday the Committee Of
Finance submitted lengthy report in re-
sp0nse to resolution on the subject OF the
diversion of school funds. Briefly, the
committee say: . .. ...s.
That there has been a "diverson" Of the
revenues set apart by the Constitution for
the support OF free schools lin the sense
that they have not been receiving them) Is
unquestionably true. But it is equally true
that this diversion has been the result OF
legislation which no official Of the State
government could control, and that this
legislation has received the sanction Of our
highest judicial tribunal, to whose authority
every good citizen must bow. Whatever
private opinions may be entertained touch
ing the correctness OF its decision, i" ita lea
scripta est" must be predcated OF them
while they remain unreversed.
Such being the state of affairs, there ap-
pear to your committee but two avenues Of
escape from the embarrassments which now
obstruct the proper working and efficiency
OF the free-school system. One is to be
found in such an increase OF taxation as will
avail for the support OF the government, the
payment OF interest on the funded debt, and
the maintenance of the schools; the other
the adjustment OF the State debt upon such
principles as to render present revenues
adequate for all State purposes, or so nearly
so as not to add sensibly to the burdens oil
the people. The adoption OF the first Of
these remedies is hardly probable; but it Is
hoped that in the latter may be found a pre-
yentive OF all such difficulties in the future
THE RAILROAD UP THE JAMES.
In response to the resolution OF Mr.. Hur
OF Halifax, Mr.. Lee, from the Committee
ou Roads, submitted in the Senate yester
day report as to whether or not the Rich
mond and Allegheny Railroad Company in
tend to build said road, &c. The commit
tee say that Mr.. Parsons, vice-president O
said company, having been summoned, re
piled to the interrogatories OF Mr.. Hurt a
follows:
Question: Does the Richmond and ALE
ghany Railroad Company propose to bullt
a broad or narrow-gauge road?
Answer: The company propose to built
what is called the standard gauge OF fou
feet eight and one-half inches.
i Question: Does the company propose t.
build road suitable to freight and pas
senger traffic?
Answer: 1t proposes to build frst-clas
road-steel rails and thorough equipment
ample for freight and passengers provided
the James River and Kanawha Company sc
cures the legislation promised, and salts
factory arrangement can be made with tn
creditors. '
Question: Do your associates propos
themselves TO undertake the project, or t
speculate on the franchises?
Answer: They have already agreet
themselves to undertake the work. The.
neither would nor could sell the franchises
[Signed] ID. c. PARSONS.
| PERSONAL.
Messrs. Barbour, Motfett, Fowler, H. H
Harrison. and Paul-all Of whom are promi
nent readiusters-are on leave at this time
TIE BATTLE OF YORKTOWN.
The heat OF the Senate chamber is havinl
On injurious effect upon the canvas upor
which is painted the picture of the storminG
of redoubt at yorktown, the gift OF Mr.
Corcoran Both OF the lower corners art
already "drawn" considerably, and ugly
waves are beginning to appear. The sub
ject should receive the attention OF the pro
per officers before the work is seriously
damaged.
SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS, MONDAY
Harman Us. BurweI's executor. Cause
removed to WytheVille.
CITY of Portsmouth Us. County OF Nor
folk. Put on privileged docket.
Danville Bank Us. Waddll's administra'