Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-01-29
From the capitol.
THE 4IoFFETT BELL-PUNCH.

send Tor persons and papers-tO inquire
what members of the General Assembly
are pecuniasily interested in the Moffett
bell-punch. and what officers and clerks
of the Government Gf any have alike
interest,""
Mr.. Frazier said that the object OF the
resolution was to ascertain who are
personally interested in the future
(pecuniary) success of the Moffett bell
punch, that no undue weight may be
given to what such members or officers
NAV say IN behalf of this mode Of tax
alton. Many members upon this floor
are undecided as to the proper course to
pursue when this subject comes before
the House for its action, and for one he
wouldlike to know when q member
takes the floor whether he is speaking
in the interest of the State or his own
pocket.
The House voted to refer the reso-
luton to ascOmmiitee. Subsequently
the vote was recOnsidered. and DR..
Monett took the floor and said: The
patent of the liquor register was the
property Of the State OF Virginia, for its
own use, free OF all charge forever. Mr..
Dean and himself, before the passage
Of the liquor law, had made deed Of
gift conveying the register, as now
devised. or as it might hereafter be i'm
proved, to Virginia free Of all charge
There was then no patent issued, and
the Governor and many members Of
the Legislature considered it necessary
that patent should be applied for to
protect the State IN the free use of the
registers. fit should be patentable,
of course the patent belonged te himself
and Mr.. Dcane, except as to Virginia.
No member Of the House except HIM
self has the slightest direct or remote
intesest in the registers. He further
said that he would take great pleasure
at any time in giving an account Of the
present status Of the patent owned by
Mr.. Dean and himsslfoutslde Of Virginia
ifany gentleman of the Legislature is
sufficiently interestcdin it to desire the
information; that he got up the whole
scheme. as a revenue measure for the
State. hoping TO aid her thereby to some
considerable extent; If any persons
other than Virginians desire the use CT
the register he will be glad to furnish 1t
to them; that the scheme had cost Inn
great labor and expense. and ifhe ever
received compensation from any other
State it will justly belong to him and
his associates.
The resolution Of Mr.. Frazier was
laid on the table.
TIE GOODE-FRAZIER INVESTIGATION.
The Committee on Printing has not
made their report of the result OF the
investigation in the GeOde- Frazier
matter. 1t is, however, believed of the
Capital and among the members Of the
Assembly that the committee will not
sustain any Of the charges made against
the Public Printer, and will report ac-
cOrdingly tomorrow.
The joint committee on constitutional
amendment. at their session yesterday
evening, agreed to make a report
recommending the following amend
ments:
Section 2, article 8. concerning the
elective franchise and qualifications for
Office, changed so as TO strike out the
provision which requires all elections to
be by ballot, and leave the manner OF
voting TO be regulated by the General
Assembly.
Section 4. article 4. amended SO as to
reduce the salary Of the Governor from
five thousand dollars per annum.
Strike ont section 81 article 5, which
requires the General Assembly to pro-
vide for 1.-THE annual registration OF
Ofmarriages. births add deaths, " which
will save about s., 200 per annum.
The lst, 2d, 4lh, and 18th sections OF
article G. so altercdas to give the Court
of Appeals jurisdiction in all cases
where the amout in controversy. ex-
elusive Of interest. exceeds 5000. And
they are only required to state THEN
opinions in writing in cases involving
new principles; all other cases are left to
their discretion.
County judges to be abolished, and a
county courts IS required to be held
monthly by three justices, except when
the county levy is laid, when two-thirls
Of all the Justices are required to be
present; the Governor. by and with the
advice and consent Of the Senate. to ap.
point four justices from each magisterial
district, to hold Office for eight years.
except the first under this Constitution.
They are required to be divided into
four classes, and the term of Office o.
one from each district expires at the end
ofevery two years; vacancies Occurring
after the first appointment TO be filled
by the Governor upon the recommen-
d,tion ofthe justices Of the county.
Section Is of article G, which pro
vides for city treasurers, is stricken out
by the committee, leaving the taxes
to be collected by the sheriff.
The 1st and Cd sections of article
are so changed as to abolish the Office o.
county treasurer, county superintendent
ofschools, and supervisors, and pro-
vides for the appointment Of commiss-
toners of the revenue, coroners, con-
stables, and overseers Of the poor BY