Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1881-03-26
atirginta free gress.
ny. e wv. b. GALLAHER, Editors.
ChnrLcst0lrn, Jefferson County, HeSt va
March 20, 1881.
Changes hl the Lalcs.

To inteii.rolt!y describe the various Dlils
passed by tie Legislature would require
columns Of space, and then the work could
but be incomplctely done. But, perhaps,
general survey of the work done 1T the
present session Of the Legislature and the
important changes effected will be as inter
esting as more lengthy and studied article
on the subject The reporter contesses his
inability to supply the matter for such an
article. as it requires the intelligence OF one
who is thoroughly cOnyersant with the stat
utes of the State. and who has been active
" engaged in making and amending the
laws of this virgin Commonwealth. FOR
this purpose the designing scribe prowled
abound the hotels Yesterday afternoon IN the
hope of entrapping one of the guilccss so
Ions audsubmittng him to the horrors OF
the pumping process, politely termed " an
interview"
As a rule the legislators have brought
their religious tendencies with them, and
their inclination to church going shows that
their early training was proper and IN keep
ing With the conn andmentS. 30 you may
he sure TO find either Senator's or Delegates
worshiping in the temples or sitting quiet
~ in their hotels reading the Scriptures or
perusing newspapers OF high moral tone
and instructive character Thus, IN our
perierinations on the highways and search
ING examinations in the hotel lobbics Tor
an intelligent taCe-onc that could with del
icate discrimination give the main points OF
difference between the Dog Law and the
Justices Bil'-,he rcpOrtorial oye sud
denly observed the Ncstor of tire Senate,
Hon. E. Boyd Faulkner, Of Nartinsburg,
comfortably seated in the Stamm House
lobby. gathering consolation from The Chris
fan Adrocafe. When We approached the
Senator and saluted him with that suavlty
of manner We are distinguished for-and
for which we received the Worlds Fair
medll-ve were grac.ously received and IN
vited to inIllg, in th9 luxury o. soothing
smoke.
WHhoa. the ual formal aud polite sug-
resti,a that the w0ther WAS somewhat
colder" we opened our nlusitorial batter
les and fired our first question, which IN
substance sought for the Senator's opinion
on the work done by the Legislature.
Mr.. Faulkner in reply stated that ne did
not know that he could give complete re-
sumo of what had been accomplished, but
would DO his best to enlightcn us The
legislature" said he, has worked hard
and ACCOMPLISHED much in bulk, which fact
will appear when the acts are bound IN vol
ume. OF the important bills passed might
be mentioned those relating to the Circuit
Court. County Court Justices, County Roads,
Assessment. Education and Poor Law. OF
entirely new measure, passed Is the STATE
Board Of Health bill, the Pharmacy and
Dentistry bills. The members of the state
Board of Health, and Board Of Examiners
provided for in the Dentistry bill Will be
appointed by the Governor, and the mem
bcrs of the Pharmacy Board Ivy the Board
of Public Works. There are other luIpor-
tant bills. but | can't recall them at present,
some of a general and others of a local ma
turc"
"What bills work important changes in
the present law" inquired the scribe in
the short pause that ensued
Well. take the Assessment law. Inc
manner of making out the land books Is
changed. They used 10 be made out by the
Assessor alone Now the law provides that
in 1881 the land books are 70 be made out
bv the Clerk of the County Court and the
Assessors-aiter that year they are TO be
made out by the Clerks of the County Courts
alone. compensation for this work to be PAID
bv the County Courts"
Any other changes
"Yes. The compensation Of the Asses
sors is increased. The law now allows them
from 5000 TO $3.50 per year to be paid out OF
the county treasury, and in addition COM
mission Of three per centum on the amount
If State and State school taxes assessed by
/ them on personal property of the district.
/ There is also q change made in the manner
! of assessment. All Assessments made are
to be based upon the assessment as returned
under the general assessment act OF 1919,
which vent into operation in 1915, and IN
der the corrections made within the year as
prescribed by that law. But any county
dissatisfied with the assessment in various
sections. some Being too high and some too
low. has power to feduce on one by adding
on 10 the other, so that the assessment OF
the county Is kept up 10 the aggregate a.
mount as returned under the assessment OF
1875.
The justices law has also been changed IN
respect to trial by jury. The law now says
when the value or damages IL controversy
exceeds $50 a trial by six jurors can be mad
at the request of either party. Another I'M
portant amendment 10 the law Is the one
recurring Justices 10 give bond in amount
from 1000 10 $1,000. Another IS In rela'
ton 10 the competency of husband and wits