Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-02-12

was porlulGIou W WlGuuldW Tie OmonSlV(
paper. The impression seems to be thai
the paper was prepared by some leading
Mahoneite outside of the Legislature, ant
entrusted to Mr. Rogers to have introduced
to make political capital for that party.
STATE OFFICERS AND POLITICS.
HoUsE.-Mr. Pollard, Democrat, of King
and Queen county, introduced bill in the
House of Delegates intended to break ur
the practice adopted by the Mahoneites
Of permitting officers of the State govern.
ment engaging in active politics. This bill
provides that it shall not be lawful for any
judge of any court, the superintendent OF
public instruction, any superintendent OF
schools, the superintendent, manager or any
employe of any asylum or State institution
of learning, either publicly Or privately, to
advise, counsel, induce or procure any
qualified elector to vote in any election for
any particular candidate or in favor of any
particular political party, or to vote against
any particular candidate or against any
particular political party. Making political
speeches or active official participation in
political meetings is deemed to be an active
participation in politics within the meaning
of this section. The penalty is fine of not
less than $50 OF more than $500. Any per-
son convicted is made to forfeit the Office
or appointment held by him, and it shall
be the duty of the court wherein such par
ty is convicted to declare the office or. ap-
pointment so held by such person vacant,
and such vacancy shall be filed in the mode
prescribed by law for filling vacancies &C.
curing in such office.
SENATE.-Thursday Feb 18th.
The Senate passed the Honse bill provid-
ing for the working and keeping in repair
the public roads in the counties of Allegha-
ny, Bath, aud Highland.
LUNATIC AsYLUMs.
Mr.. Wingfield having reported from the
Committee on Public Institutions and Ed
ucation House bill entitled an act to amend
and re-enact sections and 6 of chapter 80
of the Code of Virginia, 1873 regulating
lunatic asylums and the care of insane per-
sons and their estates, and to add addition
al sections thereto, approved February Is,
1882, and sections SO and 60 of said act,
with amendments, the same was subse-
quently taken up, and the amendments pro-
posed by the committee Gas above stated)
were agreed to.
The bill was passed Ayes IS; noes g.
None but Coalitionists voted in the neg
alive.
Several Senators said they were paired
off.
DEAF, DUMB, AND BLIND.
House bill to amend and re-enact sec
tion 2 Of chapter 81 of the Code of 1869, re-
pealing the joint resolution approved April,
1882, and adding other sections touching
the Deaf Dumb, and Blind Institute at
Staunton,'' was taken up.
The amendments were agreed to, and the
bill WAS passed.
The Coalitionists filibustered for about
an hour.
SCHOOL sUPERINTENDENTs.
At 1 O'Clock the Senate proceeded to con-
slider the special order-the Senate bill in
troduced by Mr.. Berry proposing that ad
interim appointments of county school su-
perintendents shall be made by the County
School Electoral Board, that is, they shall
make appointments except where the Off
ces are filed by officers who have been
nominated by the Board of Education and
confirmed by the Senate.
Mr.. Bailey spoke against the bill, declar-
ing it unconstitutional.
Mr.. Berry discussed the whole question,
and said the billlisscons5itutiona and proper
and is demanded by the best interest of the
public schools.
Mr.. koiner complimented Mr. Berry
upon the ability and clearness OF his argu-
ment, but regretted to say that he (Mr
koinerl was not yet convinced that the
Legislature can take this power from the
Board of Education.
Mr.. Wingfeld replied to Mr.. Koiner, and
supported the position taken by Mr.. Berry,
holding that the bill was entirely constitu
tional and proper, and necessity in the
present situation of affairs.
From statement mazda BY Mr.. Berry in
the course of his argument it appears that
in some counties where the nominees of the
Board have been rejected by the Senate the
county tgeasurers will not recognize them
or the old incumbents either.
Mr.. Wickham, while admitting that great
abuses had entered into the public school
system of late, yet thought his measure of
doubtful propriety. The obstacle that he
saw was the following provision in the Con-
stitution;
s'There shall be a Board of Education.
composed of the Governor, Superiutend
cent of Public Instruction, and Attorney.
General, which shall appoint and hay
"power to remove for cause aud ~ (
''notioe to the incumbents, subject 40 15oi
s'frmation by the Senate, all county oon
sfntendents of public free Schools Sapei
Pending further consideration. ~. co,ot,
at 3 P. M. adjourned.
HoUsE.-Mr. Opie intro9t ur al . lin
crease the compensation. of tho shon,g =
Augusta county.
JUDGE OF DiNwID DIE COUNTY.
Mr.. Anderson. of Re ckbridoe nreserto,
petition signed by more than bundre,
citizens of Dinwidai.e county. praginO, n,
removal of Judge 4. c. Shell. of D;nw;d
oie county, as lu dye, and citing the reason.
therefor. Ress tred to the Committee fo
Courts of Jas' lice
THE AsYLUMs.
a eohiD iunication from the Senate was re-
eel'eo az .nouncing the passage of the House
oiiiS - q, 2l3, and 217 in relation to the an
pomsment of directors for the lunatic asu
iaiO OF the State and the Deaf, Dumb. anc
Blind Institute at Staunton. The rn,es
were suspended and the bills placed on the
calendar. These bills take away from the
governor the right OF appointing the direc.
tofs and places it in the hands of the BOARD
Oh Public Works. It also vacates tbase Of.