Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-08-26
The General Assembly.

On Monday, the 18th, Mr.. Atkinson intro
troduced bill in the Senate providing
against interference by federal officers to
elections. The bill provides that in case of
the arrest of a judge of election on the day
of election ajudge may be selected from the
bystanders to fill the place. 1t is the same
bill passed by the Senate last year, but
which failed to become law
In the House of Delegates a resolution
was agreed to instructing the committee on
finance to inquire into the affairs of the
Planters and Mechanics Bank of Peters
burg, which lately failed, in order to ascer-
tain what has become of $780, 900 deposited
therein by the State, and who are liable to
criminal prosecution in connection with the
disposition of said deposit, and whether any
legislation is necessary for the protection of
the State against further loss by reason of
similar deposits in other banks.
On Tuesday, the 10Th, the special Joint
commission of the General Assembly ap-
pointed to consider the election law of the
State reported that it was matter of grave
doubt whether any election law was now in
force in Virginia Notwithstanding the deci-
sion of the Court of Appeals that The old
law was restored, and for reasons lengthily
given in their report they recommend the
re-enactment of the election law. This is
the law which has existed since 1870. The
COMMITTEE criticise the opinion of the
court, and say that the responsibility for
the failure to take effect of the new law
passed at the last session must rest with the
Executive, since both houses passed a bill
striking out the Objectionable words in the
bill vetoed, and the Executive thought fit
to withhold his approval.
M UoI1
the bill which passed the House providing
for appointment of land assessors in every
county and city in the State was SO amend
ed as to place the appointment of these Of
fcers in the hands of the board of superyi-
sors in counties and the city councils in
cities. The House bill gave the appointing
power to the auditor of public accounts
This, however, met with very determined
opposition, especially from the valley and
southwestern Senators. The bill was re-
committed to the finance committee.
In the House bill was passed to provide
for the Interchange of coupon bonds and
registered deeds issued under the Riddle
berger law. A bill appropriating $4,000
for the Central Lunatic Asylum for Colored
people was passed to engrossment and the
third reading. In the Senate bill provid-
ing the manner in which presidential cleo
tors shall be elected was passed, ayes 26.
noes, T..
On Thursday, the Dist, the House substi-
tute for the Senate bill providing for the
election of electors for President and Vice
President was passed by the Senate by a
vote of 26 to 4.
John W. Stout was elected Judge of Au-
gusta county to fill the vacancy caused by
the resignation of Judge VIM. A. Hudson.
The reassessment bill was amended in the
Senate so as to provide that in the appoint
ment of assessors, in the county the super
visors, in the towns the trustees, and in the
cities the councils should make the appoint
ments.
Then, so that they might reshape the
bill, it was, on motion Of Mr.. Wickham, re-
committed to the Committee on Finance,
and ordered to be printed, with the numer-
GUS amendments adopted
In the House, the bill appropriating $780,
600 to complete and equip the Central
Lunatic Asylum was passed to it's engross-
ment and third reading.
House bill No. % (the election law under
which elections have heretofore been held,)
was read a second time and ordered to be
eDgrOssed.
On Friday, the 22d, in the Senate, on mo-
ton of Mr.. Keezell, Senate bill to authorize
the district school boards in the county of
Rockingham to use district school funds for
the payment of teachers was taken up out
Of its order and passed.
In the House, House bill No. 90 to pro-
vide for the assessment of taxes and incomes
and imposing taxes thereon for the support
of the government and public free schools
and to pay the interest on the public debt,
and to provide for the mode APPLYING for
licenses, &c.
Senate assessment bill was committed to
the Committee on Finance.
On Saturday, the 23rd, the Senate passed
the old election law as it passed the House
with the word 'freeholder" stricken out.
In effect, the old law is re-enacted to
adapt it to the present time, with the word
freeholdor stricken out and the date made
to answer present circumstances. Judges
of the hustings and county courts fill all va
GAMES of judges and registrars existing at
the January term of their courts.
The Senate was informed that the House
refused to agree to its amendment to the
amended Riddleberger bill.
On motion of Mr.. Wickham, the Senate
voted not to recede, and the House Was in
formed of that action.
A committee of conference representing
the two houses was subsequently appoint
ed.
In the House, the House assessment bill
was reported, with Senate amendments.
MIR. Smith moved to pass by. He said
that there was an evident desire on the part
of all the members to adjourn next We'd
nesday, and in order to avoid collision
with the Executive it might be well to pass
the bill by.
The ayes and noes were called, and the
House agreed to pass by.
DEMOCRATIC ELECTORAL TICKET.-The
Nelson Erominer, in publishing at the head
of it's column the Democratic Electoral
ticket of Virginia, says: