Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-03-01
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.

Special Correspondence Of the Alexandria GAzErrEi
RICHMOND, Va, Feb. 29.-To-day nine
ty.eight members answered to their 1amcs
in the House. This is something unprece-
denied in the history of the body. Only
two members absent out of the hundred and
this in few days of the end Of the session.
While It's likely that the session will be ex-
tended by resolution it is not probable that
the body will be in session many days longer.
Earnest and public spirited democrats are.
of opinion that there should be no adjourn
ment until the investigation cases are dis
posed of and especially that Of r. R. Farr,
alleged Superintendent Of Public 1nstruc-
ton. The interest of Virginia demand that
he should go.
In the House to day Mr.. Smith, of Eau
quier rose and said
Mr.. Speaker: l rise to question OF PRIV
ilege. The representative Of the Richmond
Wing on this floor has so strangely misre-
ported my remarks of yesterday in refer
ence to the reduction of taxation that
deem it due to myself, my constituents, and
my party to correctly state my position.
distinctly avowed that | was opposed to the
reduction of taxation at present, because
| the people did not ask it that they de-
manded that the Riddleberger bill should
| be carried out in good faith, and no step
| taken to embarrass settlement under that
act; that they would not approve any action
that might put it out of our power 20 make
payment under it; that they would not
look with favor upon any legislation that
| would present an excuse not to fund and
that the creditors would regard reduction
ct this time as declaration of war against
the law. Objectionable in its name, though
its merits otherwise are peculiarly accepta
Bile to the people. 1t will appear from the
| journal of this House thatI have invariably
sustained the measures that ever tend to
the enforcement of the Rddleberger bill.
Again emphalcally declare that my party
was unalterably, for all time and under all
circumstances, pledged against increase Of
taxation; that the people exacted this as
surance. We solemnly gave it, and would
| be faithful to it unto the end. Indeed, III
reply to suggestion Of friend that we
might decrease now and increase hereafter.
if necessary, insisted that The people would
not tolerate any such experimental any con-
tingency that once relieved they would stay
relieved, and that they preferred to endure
the burden Of the present rate for awhile
rather than run the risk, By reduction, or
defeating adjustment under tie Riddlebcr-
ger law, and that they know that the taxa
BILE values are 50 rapidly increasing rs 10
render it expedient 10 diminish taxes and
yet realize revenues sufficient TO run the
Government, sustain and expand he schools.
and pay our debt. did say, and now re.
peat, that if happily there should be a SUR
| plus in the treasury we would make return
| 70 ba Lx-o rla
cepce of education to all classes, iucreasu.
the schools and lettering the houses; thai
we would give back to the people their
money in form they would welcome, IN
multiplying the sources of ightenment in
nursing our infant institutions, and III fos-
terng and helping those long established
! that together they may infuse the light ct
! learning and the blessings Of improved civ
| illZation into the rem0lest recesseI of our
dear land. These are NY sentiments, and /
believe they are tae reflections of the peo'
pies views.
General Fiz. Lees proposed volunteer
military bill will probably not pass.
Senator Koiner tAvors the impeachment
Of Shumate because be thinks this is the
only way to proceed in such cases. 1t is
| expected he will vote against the removal
| for this reason.
So far the Legislatures work has been, in
the main, good. But failure to round oil
nicely what has been commenced would be
disastrous. The record upon which the
democratic party will go before the people
must not be clipped off at the end.
The committee which has investigated the
management Of the penitentiary under the
Malone regime discovered that some of the
occurrences in that institution were too in
decent to be even written down. Suffice to
say that the vilest descriptions even found
in police gazettes can show nothing SO dis
gushing and dsgraceful as certain orgie in
this State institution. 1t has been common
talk here. The fact IS the democrats have
brought out sufficient material to damn the
Malone party forever. All that will be
necessary will be the reading of the record,
as shown by some witnesses Not even one
speech need be made. STRoNGBow.
NEWS OF THE DAY.
Cadets Maxcy, Jastremski and Parker