The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-03-03

In the House OF Delegates Yesterday Mr.
/ Frszier's bill 10 turn over to Mason, Shana
han IL Hogc, 10 work on the Clifton Forge
road. Mt tbirfy-dv e cents day and board,
the .conyicts now. employed at Granite by
the Old Dominion COMPANY, came I'D on its
second reading. The recommendation OF le
Committee on Prisons and Asylums was
that the bill be reiecte d, as they had framed
bin authorizing the Governor, with the
advice OF the Superintendent OF the Peni-
Tertiary, to hire out TO the highest bidder
such convicts and sueh shops in the ppni-
Tertiary as may he deemed advisable. Dir.
Waddill. chairman Of the committee. Of.
fered said bill as a substitute for Mr.. Fra
zer's. Messrs. Lovenstein, ChaEsber!ayne,
Witt, Hopkins, and Wilkinson spoke ia
favor OF Mr.. Frazier's bill and against the
substitute. Messrs. Waddll, Mogett, and
Norton addressed the House in favor OF the
substitute the committees bilD Of Mr..
Waddil.
Mr.. Lovenstein In the chair. .
The question being on agreeing TO the
substitute a recorded vote resulted-ayes,
30; noes, OF.
Mr.. Farr moved to reconsider, and spoke
ot some length in favor OF the substitute,
regarding it as a wise revenue measure.
and IL was ordered, and the House on re-
corded vote refused to reconsider.
[Tbe bill and substitute have been pub
lshed in this paper]
Mr.. Bailey offered an amendment to pre-
vent the bill from interfering with con-
tracts already made with internal-improve-
ment companies.
Mr.. Frazier said he had no objection to
the amendment.
Mr.. Mofiett stated that the amendment
made permanent every contract now in eX-
i,tance. and took from the Governor the
right Of revocation, which was in the con-
tracts themselves.
Mr.. Bailey answered that he did not wish
these contracts with internal-mprovemen
companies to be annulled except for good
cause. He proposed to give the Governor
power TO revoke in cases OF inbumanity or
in case the peniten,iary is leased, but for no
other reason.
The Speaker said that Mr.. Bailey's amend
ment was general legislation on a special
bill, and he did not think it admissible in
its present shape. He suggested that Mr.
Bailey might alter it. Mr.. Bailey said that
il be could not have it in the shape he
wished, he did not desire TO have it In at
all.
Mr.. Mushbach offered an amendment to
perfect the bill, which was adopted, and
the bill was ordered TO engrOssment. 1t
will probably come on its passage to-day.
The Richmond members in their speeches
on this subject all put themselves clearly
and distinctly on record in opposition to
convict. labor being brought in competition
with honest labor in any form. Mr.. Witt
expressed himself very strongly and par
ticuIarly against the working OF the con-
vcts on our city parks.
THE VALLEY RAILROAD.
In the House Yesterday evening, on mo-
ton Of yr. Linkenhoker, the House bill
"io repeal the act entitled an act to amend
the charter OF the Valley Railroad Com.
pany," approved April 2, 1879, was taken
up.
The act in question provided that il the
railroad was not built within a certain
period two years. that the charter should
be forfeited. The company wish that act
repealed.
Mr. Frazier said that the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad Company had been down
here and pretty well lobbied this bill
through. Nevertheless he deemed it his
duty to protest against the passage OF the
bill He spoke at some length, aud with
warmth. against the bill. Mr.. Frazier had
no doubt that in this matter be expressed
the will Of nInetenths OF the people of his
county. HIS idea seemed to be that the
Baltimore and Ohio Company would not
build the road itself and did not want the
franchises to pass into the h~ssds OF others
who would build IT.
Mr. Lady favored the bill, and in doing
4 l,1 4, hf
colleague; but yet he hoped and believed
that be truly represented his people. He
wanted to give the company another chance.
II they fail to do what they promise, why
then the Legislature will still have it in its
power TO enforce forfeiture.
Mr. Spessard Cpposed the bill.
Mr.. EchoIs explained the Valley-railroad
history, and argued in favor OF the passage
OF the bill, believing that under the cir
cumstapces it was the best thing to be
done. The road cannot be completed as
long as this threatening legislation hangs
over the company. II that act is repealed
Mr.. Echols was certain work would be
actively resumed by the first of July. II
the act is not repealed the work will be
postponed indefinitely.
Mr.. Motiett thought that no one could be
benefited BY n continuance OF this act on
the statute books, and that it should be re-
pealed.
Mr.. Strayer hoped the bill would pass.
but at the same time he wanted the reported
freight Determinations inquired into as soon
as possible.
Mr.. Spessard proposed to amend the bill
by requiring the company to complete the
road within five years.
Mr.. Frazier said II this Legislature would
not stand by Rockbridge, her people, who
had been paying interest Oh their railroad
bonds for seven ears, would take the rem
edy in their own hands, and there might be
some reputation 10 that quarter.
Mr.. Hanger argued that il the people OF
Rockbridge want this railroad the bill
should be passed; otherwise it cannot be
built. The company have promised II the
law is repealed that they will put mort
gage upon the line and 90 forward with this
work at once. While there is a danger Of
the charter and franchises being forfeited 1t
is idle to expect that capitalists will invest
their money in the enterprise. For these
and other reasons given Mr.. Hanger favored
the bill.
Mr.. Parks in the chair.
The amendment offered by Mr.. Spessard
was reiecied-ayes, 10; noes, 62.
The bill was ordered to engrossmcnt
ayes, 70; noes, 5.
CANAL COMPANY AND C0NvIcTs.
The following bill authorizing the Board
OF Public Works to adjust the claims OF the
James River and Kanawha Company. and
appropriating the proceeds. and providing
for the safe-keeping OF certain deposits, pas
sed both houses last evening.
|. BE u enacted by the General Assembly,
That The Board of Public Works shall be