The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-04-09
SENATORIAL SPICE.
Mr.. Diggs, OF Lynchburg. Gives His
Deliberate Opinion or Mr..
Riddleberger.

Is Mr.. RiddIeheraer EIinihle TO n Seat in
the senate ?-The Question Discussed In
the Senate Ycstcrday-Tbe Henry Clay
ksatue-BiII to Allow the Increase OF
the Capital Stock OF the Richmond
and DanviIIe Road Reported. with an
Amendment Requiring the Company TO Sur
render Its Exemption from Taxation-Con.
gressiouaI.App pportionmen Bill Passed by
the House-Gepcral Local-Option Bill Un-
der Discussion In the House Again.
In the Senate yesterday the resolution
introduced in the House by the venerable
Mr.. Terrell, "that the sum Of $500, or
so much thereof as may be necessary,
be appropriated, to be applied, under
the direction OF the Superintendent OF
Public Buildings, to the repair and pre-.
seryatiOn OF the statue OF Henry Cay"
was taken up and agreed to.
This statue stands under shelter on the
Capitol Square, and some years ago was
| badly mutilated by stones thrown by boys.
One hand has been almost severed, but a
new one has been obtained. With this
money the hand cen be restored, and II
deemed advisable the statue may be re-
moved from its present position to niche
in the walls Of the rotunda Of the Capitol
building.
FIRST sENATORIALLY AND SPIRITUALLY.
Mr.. Walker: put before the Committee
on Roads and Internal Navigation on the
| first day OF the present session two bills,
vet | have heard nothing from either OF
these bills. How so many other bills have
come in here ahead OF them don't know.
Perhaps the chairman OF the committee can
explain.
Mr.. Riddleberger There is certainly
nothing before the Senate.
A voice The Senator from Chesterfield
is before it. [Laughter.]
Mr. Walker: The Senator (Nlr. Riddle
berger may think there is nothing before
the Senate.
Mr.. Riddleberger Nothing tangible.
Mr.. Walker: When a senator is here In
quiring what has become OF his bill there
is something before the Senate.
Mr.. Riddleberger: Offer resolution TO
discharge the committee.
Mr.. Walker: / don't want to do any
thing which may be considered as in the
slightest degree disrespectful to the COM
mttee. Probably an explanation from the
chairman OF the committee will be all right.
| have heard nothing from my two bills
sent to the committee on the first day OF
the session.
Mr.. Rawles (chairman OF the cOmmittee) ::
Perhaps the first shall be last.
Mr. Walker: | don't like to follow that
Injunction senatorially. So far as my
spiritual affairs are concerned, that is all
right, but, senatorially, | want to be first.
[Laughter.]
Here TIE matter dropped.
ALLEGHENY RAILROAD.
The Committee on Roads and Internal
Navigation reported, without amendment,
Mr.. Atkinson's bill "to amend and re-
enact an act approved 9th February, 1879,
entitled an act to authorize the James River
and Kanawha Canal Company to make sale
to the Richmond and Alleghany Railroad
Company, and to extend the time to build
dams, sluices, slopes, flsh-ladders," &c.
DANyILLE RAILROAD.
The Committee on Roads and Internal
Navigation reported with an amendment
prepared by Mr.. SMITH Mr.. Edmunds' 8
bill (20S) to authorize the Richmond and
Danville Railroad Company to increase its
capital stock, with the following amend
ment:
Provided, however, that before the
Richmond and Danyille Railroad Com
"pany shall have, possess, exercise, or en-
.'ioy any OF the rights, benefits, franchises,
"or privileges conferred by tins act, 1t
:. shall first release its exemption from taxa
q" ton by deed, duly executed and delivered
"to the Secretary Of the Commonwealth,
'who shall cause The same TO be recorded
Gin the clerks office OF the Chancery Court
"of the city Of Richmond, and thereupon
" the property OF said company shall be
taxable rs the property OF other railroad
" companies"
Personal EXPLANATION.
Mr.. Wilcox: Mr.. President, | rise TO a
question Of personal privilege. On .yester-
day. while my feelings were aroused, Twas
not as mindful of the dignity and decorum
of the Senate as it is my duty and pleasure
to be. In making this statement desire
to express my regret at any language or
acts which might be construed as wanting
in respect for this body.
Mr.. Lybrook, into whose speech the re-
marks OF Mr.. Wilcox were injected, cX-
pressed himself as particularly pleased with
the grace OF the explanation.
The resolution OF Mr.. Diggs, proposing
to inquire into the eligibility OF Mr.. Rid
dleberger (being Commonwealths attorney
of Shenandoah county, rs q senator on this
floor, came up as diminished business, ana
Mr.. Diggs was awarded the floor
Mr.. Digs, after showing by Mr.. Riddle
berger's own argument that the Court OF
Apneals had no power TO decide this ques-
ton, agreeing with Mr.. Riddleberger that
each House is the sole Judge OF the quail
fication and election OF its members, boldly
declared that the court had never under
taken to pass upon the question. He defied
the Senator from Shenandoah to produce
any authority, or to cite any case wherein
anv court had attempted any such decision.
MIR. RiddIeberger arose and said he re-
lied on and referred to the Chesterfield
case.
Mr.. Diggs, replying, said that in that ease
the Court eXpressly.stated that it gave no
opinion on the question at issue here.
After explaining what the case was Mr.
Digs demonstrated his position by reading
the opinion OF the Court. The case is re-
ported in the July, 1881, No. of the Lou
Journal, under the style OF Robertson as
C!opton, Judge. Judge Staples, delivering
the opinion OF the court, said:
.'Whcther member OF the Legislature
is eligible to the office OF attorney for the
Commonwealth in the Circuit Court of the
several coupties (as Mr. Riddleberger is) Is
aquestion we are not called on TO consider
and no opinion is intended to be expressed
on that question"
Then, after declaring how sadly at iaul
Mr.. Riddleberger's legal knowledge was
he said now let the responsibility for gross
ignorance OF law rest on the head OF thi
Senator from Shenandoah.
MR.. DIGGs ON MR.. RIDDLEBERCER.
The calendar was postponed to allow
Mr.. Diggs full opportunity to reply to Mr.