Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-02-26


protection OF oysters the amount paid 1881
80 was 81, 4e5 6S; amount paid 1898
$75-total, 81, 540.67.
The bill appropriating SIS, 900 to equip
navy for the protection of the oyster in
terests came up in the House, and was dis
cussed till adjournment and amended in
several particulars.
At the night session of the House the bill
providing for an oyster navy was amended
so as to appropriate $4,000 for the pur-
chase Of steamer. Forty-fve thousand
more is authorized to be taken out of the
income received from the oyster tax. The
II, as amended, was recommitted to the
committee on the Chesapeake and its trib-
utaries.
SENATE.-Thursday, Feb. 21st.
In the Senate the report of the committee
on elections declaring that John L. Hurt,
of Pittsylvania, is entitled to his seat, was
adopted. The contestant in this case was
W. E. Sims, Coalitionist, who figured prom
inently in the politics of that county in the
last canvass. The consideration of the
contested case of Callahan, straightout Re-
publican, VS. Rue, Mahoneite, from the
Portsmouth district, was resumed in the
Senate. The discussion continued till ad-
journment.
The Senate passed bill providing
sinking fund for tax receivable coupons.
1t now goes to the House.
HoCsE.-The House of Delegates passed
a bill to repeal an act entitled can act to
define the true boundary between Mary
land and Virginia and to designate the
headlauds upon the Potomac fver and to
prohibit unlawful oystering and dredging
in the Potomac river and Pocomoke sound"
approved March I. 1882 The bill repeats
the act passed by the last General Assem-
bly, on the subject referred to. 1t was pass
ed with the expectation that the Maryland
Legislature would adopt it. Their failure
to do SO induced the action of the House.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
The House at tho night session ordered
II
that body providing railroad commission.
1t contemplates the election of three men,
bers, chief who is to receive salary of
50 900 per annum, and two assistants at
81, 900 each. A clerk at a salary of $1,000
a year is authorized. The bill was amend
ed so as to provide for the election of these
commissioners by the General Assembly
every two years 1t vacates the Office of
the present commissioner, and lift becomes
a law the three commissioners will be
chosen at this session to serve for two years.
The III / in most respects in substantially
duplicate Of the Georgia law on the same
subject.
SENATE.-Friday, Feb. 22nd.
Both houses of the General Assembly
passed the bill apportioning the State for
representation in Congress over the Cover
nor's veto. This is the bill that was
adopted by the Democratic caucus and
passed by the members of that party in the
Legislature. In the Senate the Democrats
were enabled to pass it over the Governors
veto by Gen. Wickham, who had expressed
his opposition, refraining from voting.
In rising to privileged question on that
subject in the Senate Gen. Wickham said
at is known that I offered substitute
that thought was q better one and more
agreeable to my constituents. / voted
against that bill on the ground of its IN
c6nstitntionality, which preciudsdme fsOln
voting for it under any circumstances, but
I have ascertained that the views of my
constituents are that while the substitute
would have been more agreeable to them,
yet they seem satisfied that unless this bill
passes that the State will lose one Of its
Representatives, and that they, through me,
will DO responsible for such state of things.
While recognizing the right of my constit-
uents to have their views carried out, and
at the same time recognizing my own right
not to vote for a measure that l consider
unconstitutional. l ask that this house ex-
cuse me from voting upon the bill refe red
to.''
The vote was taken and the bill passed
over the Governors veto-ayes 10, noes 0.
In the Senate the contested election case
Of Callahan, straightout Republican from
the Portsmouth district, VS.. Rue, Malone
lite, was settled by the seating of Callahan.
The vote stood-ayes Is, nays 14-five
Democrats voting in the negative. The
case has been pending for month, and
has attracted considerable attention. The
seating of Callahan gives the anti Malone
ties ~ members Of the Senate--two-thirds
Of the entire membership of that body.
The Governor sent to the Senate, with
his disapproval, the bills in relation to the
suspension and removal of certain State
officers, and declaring in what cases the
Offices of county superintendent Of schools
shall be deemed vacant. Both of these
were passed by the Democrats. They will
be passed over the Governors opposition,
as have been all others disapproved by him
this session.
HoUsE.-The House amended the gene
raj tax bill so as to require q license of
800.
Mr.. Echols introduced bill to amend and
re-enact sections 1, 2, 3, and Of chapter
212. Acts 1857, for the protection Of fish
in the waters of the Commonwealth above
tide-water.
SESArR.-Saturday, Feb. 23rd.
The bill to provide for "the suspension
and removal Of certain officers, returned by
the Governor with his veto, was taken u ID
and passed over his veto.
The bill takes the power from the Cover.
nor and puts it in board, the fear being
that the Governor may use his power arbi-
tarily in the vacation of the General Assem-
bly,.
Mr.. Koiner introduced a bill to encor no.
rate the Theological Seminary IF Salem.
Va.
Mr.. Wickham called up McCormick,s
bill to provide that when parties wish TO
pay debt due the State in coupons they
shall bring the undetached coupon ION the
bond) and let the officer clip it off
The theory is that this is the best man.
ner to prove the genuineness of COUPONS:
that if the State has the right t., reouire