Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-12-20
1,E1,TER FROM RICHMOND.

Especial correspondence of the Alexandria GAZETTE.
RICHMOND, Dec. 19.-The House to-day
had lively discussion over the bill remov-
ing the political disabilities Of certain par
ties engaged in duellng. The bill came up
on its engrossment Mr.. Pollard, Of King
and Queen, opposed it, and in his speech
characterized duelling as being contrary to
the civilization of our age, and said that
public sentiment should frown it down. He
had known men who had stood III the fore
front Of battle and who had refused to en-
gage in duel. Duellng was not the test
of true bravery in the highest sense of The
word, he said. He therefore for one, If
alone, would cast his vote against the pas
sage of the bill, and thought that sound
morals should frown down the practice.
Mr.. Leftwch said Il think it is time that
this thing of fighting duels should stop. If
public sentiment in the State of Virginia
requires that gentlemen shall have the priv
ilege of fighting duels when they think
proper, repeal the law and remove this con-
stitutional requirement. If not, let the law
be enforced Let it be known chat when n
man violates the law of Virginia he shall be
punished" Mr.. Opie remarked: AS no.
body seems to have been hurt, am in IA
vor of the bill"
Mr.. Saunders, am opposed to the bill.
Mr. Opie, Do you believe that any law
that can be enacted will stop duel!ng? Mr.
Saunders, ! DO not know whether it will or
not. The Speaker decided that it would
take q two thirds vote 10 order the bill to
its engrossment. The bill was lost by rea-
son of failure TO get the two thirds vote
Mr.. Gibson moved to reconsider and the
motion was passed by This is the first
time bill of this nature has tailed of pas
sage in the House.
During the caucussing for State officials
it was said in this correspondence that there
was combination between the Shepherd
and Henkle men. have since learned from
Mr.. Shepperd that this is mistake and
that on the contrary he opposed all comb
nations OF this kind The rumor was general
at the time that there was such a combina-
ton, and it reached the GAZETTE's CORES.
pondent who takes pleasure in making The
correction in justice to Mr.. Shepherd.
Mr. Evans, of Middlesex, made q good hit
in the House yesterday afternoon 1T the ex
pense of Duff Green and Banks, Mahoneites.
He said in response TO some remark made
by Mr.. Banks that there were three speakers
in this House, the legally elected Speaker
and his right and left bower meaning Green
and Banks whose seats are to the right and
left Of the Speaker.
To-day Mr.. Gibson, of Culpepcr, was
speaking to bill relating TO coupons. Mr..
Green interrupted him and wanted 10 know
if the gentleman from Culpeper intended TO
swallow readjustment.
Mr.. Gibson replied "Werc to swallow
the readjustment principles of my lshmaeli-
fish friend and relative from Stafford would
be vomited to death"
There was rumor to the effect that Rue,
Martin Stevens and Jones, the four pre-
| tenders, intended to claim their seats in the
Senate to-day. But after the report Of the
committee, the aspirants werenot around
Little will be done in either House to-
morrow. The Kendall case will be pushed
in nuary. The plaintiffs in the CASE were
considerable loss. Malone himself deliber-
ately went to work to prevent the Kendall
Company from executing the work on the
bonds after they had gotten the contract.
They have sent a good many fine specimens
of work here.
Mr. Matthew Arnold to-day visited the
| Legislature and looked in while Baily was
| speaking in the Senate. He was very much
amused at the antics of the CORY Mahoneite.
Mr.. Arnold expressed q great desire to
hear Rev. John Jasper preach his famous
sermon ON "The Sun do Move" 1t is no
exageration 10 say that Rev. John Jasper
has a greater reputation in Europe than
any Southern man since the war. His
sermon was published in one Of the French
papers and was discussed in the London
clubs STRONGBOW.