Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-11-22
MEASURES or LEGISLATION.

The choraes AGAINST a,. Eiair-New Regis
uatieR Tor Richmond Washington RAFT
road-t;as On the Capitol square.
Considering that the members are draw
ing no pay now, the attendance in the two
houses Is very good, and the hope is that
the work viii all be disposed Of in about
week.
The report of the House committee which
investigated Aitorney-General Blair is now
in the hands Of the printer. and sets forth
the evidence which the committee found TO
sustain their charges that Mr.. Blair had
made ont and collected bills for fees not
only not authorized by law, but in defiance
Of the law as plainly set forth by the SUI
preme Court in the Thon case.
When the report is in hand the House
viii determine whether Il will prefer
articles OF impeachment. Were IL an
carly day in the session, instead OF the eve
OF adjournment. there would be little
doubt as to what the House would do.
REAssEssgENT.
There is TO be, or ought to be, new
assessment Of lands IN 1885, in accordance
with the Constitution. but the House and
Senate are Greatly at variance as 10 who
shall name the assessors. The Senate wishes
the appointments made by the Boards Of
Supervisors in the country and by the
Councils IN cities. The House wishes 10
make the Auditor OF Public Accounts The
appointing power. Two committees Of
conference have already failed to agree.
and no better fate rs bopee for third.
GAS.
Mr.. Lovcnstein made gallant tight for
the gas bill due by the State 10 the city;
but the city was unable 20 produce its con.
tract by which II claimed an agreement Tor
pay for gas on the Square, and 50 that claim
was ineflectuaI. The state will not pay
what Is due on that account for the past
eighteen months, and gives notice that It
VIII pay nothing for same in future. Bills
for the Governors houSe and Capitol are
all right. What j. due and what Is 10 be-
come due on them in the future viii be
paid.
RICHMOND REGISTRATION.
Mr.. LOvenstein's bill before the senate
looks to Il new registration i'm Richmond in
case the new Mccormick bin becomes q
law over the Governors veto. As 10
whether there is necessity for a new regis
tration-haidly dehatabe WieStion-the
Electoral Board for Richmond, when APP
pointed. will decide.
The bill allows five days for The new re-
gistra,iOn. hut Mr. I.ovenstcln has q mind
to change five" to 'siX".
SOUTHWESTERN ASYLUM.
The Senate Committee on Fin1nce have
..I 10 fhaf :. asa
propriatcd b begin the erection OF the new
hluatic asylum IN Southwestern Virginia.
General Wickham heartily flyors The ap-
propriaiion, and It will probably bc yo.ed.
OLD POINT C0MF0gT.
Last session the Governor was requested
to cause 10 he inquired into the question A.
TO whether there has not been forfeiture
OF the grant by which The land ut Old Point
was ccdcd to the General Government, the
claim being that the ccS-iOn was for ibc Use
Of the land exclusively for purposes Of n
fort and for national defence. The Cover
nor. in response To an inquiry from the
House. has replied that no action was taken.
owing 10 the fact that the time of The At
tOrney General was "ngrO-sei with other
official duties. Yesterday the House Com
mittCe for Courts resolved 10 report bill
or resolution that the Secretary of the Com
mOnwealth be authorized TO employ coun-
sci to investigate the matter and assert The
rights Of the State, il any there be.
RICHMOND AND WASHINGTON.
The senate committee have agreed to Ic-
port the charter Of the Richmond and Wash
ington Railroad Company with an amend
ment requiring il 10 take The states inie-
resi- in the Richmond. Fredericksburg and
Potomac railroad at par
IN the case Of This bill and all other new
legislation time j. now a very important
clement; members are anxious to gel
home.
TIE N'CoEMlCk BILL.
The new Mccormick Gill j. the same a'
the old one. except that the word " irce-
holders" n, qualification for the members
% the Electoral Boards. nowhere appear
IN il. ca account of the word frcehnldcr-
Tie bill - passed at the last session Wa'
declared unconstitutional. The present
bill has passed the ScuItc over The Gov
6rnor'> veto and i now in the House fol
ike purpose.
Tie bill proyidc> that the Legislature
shall elect a board for each "Ity and county,
which board shall choose for IFS city oT
county all the officers oi registration and
election 10 take the places Of the officers
now holding.