Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-06
CHAT OF THE CAPITOL.
THE sENAToRSHIp CAUCUS.

q
the difficult, il not impossible, task oil
framing his committees satisfactorily TO
all concerned. There are a great many
new members in the House this year,
and to find places that suit them and
which they will suit is one Of the puz-
zlipg questions for him to settle.
In the Senate, Of recent years, the ecom-
mittees have been elected. The Demo
Gratis meet in conference, Mr. Hurt or
some one proposes list Of members
for the committees, amendments are
submitted, suggestions offered, and the
fnal result is presented to the body IN
the form Of q resolution, which, when
adopted, gives the Senate its standing.
committees. No other plan would have
worked, because the Lieutenaut-Gover-
nor for four years has been a Republic
can, while for the greater part of that
time the Democrats have had majority
ON the floor. Lieutenant Governor
Lewis retires January lst and Hon.
John E. Massey takes his place, and
the President and members Of the body
will then be in political harmony.
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUs-THEO OFFICES.
The Democratic members meet again
in caucus tomorrow night with the
understanding that they will at once
proceed to nominate senator to sue
ceed General Malone, whose term ex-
pires March 4, 1887. The general
expectation is that one nights session
will suffice for this purpose. and that
when this momentous matter is dis
posed of the caucus will proceed to
nominate heads Of departments and
circuit and county judges--all Of whom
ought to be elected before January
1st. To do it will demand very great
industry in the conference and in the
legislative sessions, and will require
that the Christmas recess be deferred
to a date much later than usual.
Judge Of the Hastings Court Of
Richmond will not be elected by this
Legislature but by the next. The
Hon. Thomas S. Atkins came into
Office January l, 1883, and his term
expires January l, 1889.
THE GOVERNOR AND HIS PROSPECTS.
Governor Cameron would have sent
his message in on Friday, but just as
he was about TO bundle it up and send
il over to the two houses, he was in-
formed that the House had adjourned.
However, he said that he was glad to
have another day on it, as in that time
he could polish it up little. 1t will
make about forty Ms, pages and will
to some extent review the public affairs
of Virginia since he has been in Office.
1t is known that Governor Cameron
regards some additional debt legislation
as important, and no doubt he will ex-
press his views on that point in his
message.
1t was some time ago authoritatively
stated that at the end Of his term Gov
ernor Cameron would return to Peters
burg and actively enter upon the prac-
tice Of the law, but it seems that he
was a bidder for the Whig, which, if
so, indicates that he has not wholly
lost his love of journalism, in which
field he was so distinguished. His bid
of $4,000 for the B'hig was rejected
by the receiver, and the court has con-
firmed the receivers action, and since
the auction a private and larger offer
has been made for the property. If
not sold privately in reasonable period
it will again be offered publicly.
THE INAUGURAL BALL.
Anent the inaugural ball, it is con-
fidently expected that Governor Came
ron and wife will accept invitations to
be present.
Legislators generally are talking a
great deal about the ball, and many of
them will bring their ladies here to be
present with them on the occasion. BY
the way, many Of them who would not
attend balls ordinarily take the correct
view Of this aff'air-that it is more
truly reception in honor Of Lee, Mas
sey. and Ayers than a great dancing
party. The Armory will comfortably.
hold near 1000 people, but it will pro-
baby be so packed that dancing will
not be possible until about II O'Clock,
by which time the crowd will have
thinned out to some extent. The ar
rangements are such that about five
hundred people can be supped at once
in Sanger Hall.
1t is understood that quite a number
of distinguished gentlemen will come to
Richmond with General Lee to be pre-
sent at the ball.
Among the ladies who will come on
here from Washington and Baltimore
are some who are noted for wearing
wondrously beautiful dresses.
The President and his Cabinet and
their ladies will be invited here
THE QUESTIONS OF THE HOUR.
The convict-labor question is going
to be great one at this session. The
senators from Richmond have already
set the train in motion with the object
of getting before the Assembly the
necessary information and to bring on
such discussion as will enable them
to draft bills to carry out the express
pledges Of the Democratic party. Local
option will also probably loom up after
awhile. The legislators, too, have to
rack their brains to frame a proper law
providing for furnishing free school
books to the pupils OF the public schools.
The matter looks plain enough, but in
asmuch as it will require the expendi-
ture of several hundred thousand dol
lars per annum, it Of right should have
the most careful consideration Of the
wisest friends Of the public school sys-
tenn in Virginia.
MR.. AYERs--PERS0NAL
Some one made the point on Friday
that the resolution passed by the two
houses appointing a committee to wait
on Fitz Lee and Mr. Massey to inform
them oftheir election, should have also in
cluded the name Of Hon. Rufus A. Ayers,
the Attorney -General-elect. The reso-
luton was correct. The two houses
did not count the vote for Attorney