Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-03-14
LEGISLATION OF LOCAL INTEREST.

LEGISLATION OF LOCAL INTEREST
The following legislation of local inter-
est has been passed at Richmond during
the week.
THE MERCHANTS TAX.
In the Senate, the Tax bill which pass
ed the House, was taken up. Mr.. Loven-
stein. of Richmond, offered an amend
ment Tin view of the reduction of the
drummers' tax to S75) to reduce the mer-
chants tax to 80 cents. Mr.. Koiner sup
ported the motion and read the following
petition of the merchants of StauntOn:
To the General Assembly OF Virginia:
We, the undersigned, wholesale and re-
tail merchants of the city of Stanton, do
herewith pray and petition your honorable
body to consider before passing the tax bill .,
not our interest and welfare only, but that
of the wholesale merchants throughout
the State. To reduce the license tax on
f. reign merchants who sell within our
State by sample, and to continue the tax
on purchases made by your resident mer-
chants and citizens, compelling them to
gay more than foreigners, is obviously un-
fair and unjust. We only ask to be placed
on the same footing or platform with
others, that we may possess and enjoy the
same privileges as the merchants and resi-
dents of other states who trade within
our borders. and we will ever pray, &c.
Many signatures were attached
The amendment was adopted aud the
section in regard to merchants licenses
was 10 ade to read as follows:
u IN, ohor or
mel camille firm the amount to be paid shall
be graduated as follows: II the amount
of purchases shall not exceed 81 600, the
amount shall be SIS; where purchases do
not exceed 81 900, the amount bhal' b.
$40; and for all purchases over So, 900 and
less than $50 600, there shall be paid 80
cents on the 500; and upon all the pur
chases over $50 600, there shall be paid 10
cents on every 500 in excess of $4,000.
The amendment reduces the tax on all
purchases of $4,000 up to $50 00J to 80
cents ON the $1OO instead Of 40 cents, as
provided in the present law.
Any merchant in this State, who pays a
tax OF at least $75 can, as heretofore, sell
without an additional ample-merchant's
license.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
Mr.. Koiner asked for leave of absence
for four days, commencing from next Sat-
urdaY.
Messrs. Glasgow and Diggs objected.
Mr.. Koiner took the floor and said that
he had not been absent from his seat in
the Senate one day since the commence
ment of the session, and that he had press
ing aud important private business, which
demanded his attention. and be hoped the
Senate would extend the same courtesy to
him as had been extended to every mem
Der of the Senate who had asked for leave
of absence.
Mr.. Glasgow, in reply to Mr.. Koiner,
said that he had also been here every day,
and had never asked for leave of alb
sence; that he had important business
which required his attention, but he in.
tended TO remain until the close of the
session and he desired the Senator from
Augusta to remain with him.
The Senate granted the leave of alb
sence asked for.
KENDALL CLAIM.
Mr.. Atkinson, from the Committee for
Courts Of Justice, reported adversely upon
the report Of the special committee in the
Kendall case, recommending that the
Kendall Company be allowed to sue Mr..
5. Brown Allen and Mr.. ReveIey for the
amount of their claim.
The Committee for Courts came to the
conclusion that this was lnadvisa BILE for
two reasons first, that they should await
the decision OF the Supreme Court; second
that If MIR. Kendall wins the Case, then
the State should itself sue Rtveley and
Alien.
SENATE BILLS PASSED THE HOUSE.
Senate bill to prevent frightening of
animals and killing of persons and spread
ing fire by Careless moving of engines
with steam on county roads and turn
pixies.
Senate bill to provide in the future con-
struction of railways for secure crossings
on county roads, streets, and other high
ways.
HOUSE BILL PASSED.
To allow the Supervisors of Augusta and
Altemarle to allow the sheriff of said
counties SUN not exceeding 500 for fuel
used in the jails of said counties.
PASSED BOTH HOUSES.
H ouse bill for the settlement of the
judgment of John Kelly, surviving part
ner of Kelly 4 Laigpey. against the
Board of Public Works, wac passed in the
Senate on Wednesday.
Personal.