Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-20

issued his writ. directed to the sergsan
Of Danville and sheriff Of Pittsylvanii
county, for special election to be hell
February 4th for q delegate TO FIJI th'
vacancy caused by the death Of DR.
Keen.
COUPONS.
The Clerk read the following com
munication, sent in in answer TO a reso
luton, and it was referred TO the Com
mittee on Finance
/. The amount Of coupons received foi
taxes during the last fiscal year was $50,
16i50.
2. am not aware that any lcsnse-ta1
was lost by refusal TO accept coupons.
3. Taxes have been adjudged paid by the
tender OF coupons. which have not been re-
cetVed, to The amount OF s2S i66.7s.
4. coupons have been rendered for taxe.
and other dues to the State for which nc
levy has been made nor suit Instituted, e
the amount s27 7ji OIL.
.. No claim-foT taxes or other dues 20 the
Commonwealth. for which coupons have
been rendered and verified, has been set
lied by compromise or postponed by agree
ment. Very respectfully,
MORTON MARIE,
Auditor Public Accounts.
COMMITTEES APPOINTED.
The Speaker announced that he had
appointed MIR. Arnold, Of Rockbridge,
a member Of the committee to make
the investigation ordered with reference
to the Eastern Lunatic Asylum in the
place Of DR.. Keen. deceased.
Also, that be had appointed the fol-
lowing gentlemen on the part Of the
House tunder the joint resolution tC
visit the University. &C.. Messrs.
Black, Fulkerson Of Lee, Payne,
Bohannan, and Curlett.
RAILROAD RECEIVERS SUITS.
The House next proceeded 90 the
consideration Of the bill introduced by
Mr.. Powell land favorably reported by
the Committee for Courts Of Justice
allowing suits against corporations in
the hands Of receivers to be instituted
and tried where the causes Of action
arise, and without the leave Of the
chancellor.
The bill was discussed at great
length. and was advocated in speeche,
made by Messrs. Powell, Downing,
Stuart (Mr. Darst in the chair. and
Buchanan, and opposed by Messrs.
Figgat, Martin, and Payne.
The great cause of complaint was
that the country people who have suits
against railroads have to 90 to the
court having charge of the railroad, no
matter at what cost or inconvenience,
amounting in many cases, it was
alleged, to a practical denial Of justice.
MIR. Stuart said the simple question
was whether the suitor should send his
counsel to the court having charge Of
the railroad. or whether the railroad
should send their counsel to the county
Of the suitor. lie thought the latter
ever so much fairer--the railroad being
well supplied with counsel who can
usually travel free.
AIr. buchanan offered an amend
ment, which Mr.. Powell accepted, pro-
yidiDg inasmuch as execution cannot
issue that when the judgment is rem
dered the clerk shall make a copy of it
and forward it to the court which has
charge Of the road, and that court
shall direct payment of same when a
certified copy OF the judgment is filed
in the papers of the cause in which
the receiver is appointed, Just as if the
claim had been proved and allowed in
said cause in which the receiver was
. ippointcd.
Mr.. Figgat offered a substitute for
lie first section of the bill. Rejected.
After being amended in a manner
greeable to Mr. Powell, the bill was
,fdered to engrossment:
FROM THE DEBT COMMITTEE.
Mr.. Fulkerson, from the special joint
committee on the public debt, presented
the following:
A BILL TO AMEND AND RE-ESACT SECTION
80 OF CHAPTER 167 Or THE CODE or 1873.
IN RELATION 10 RULES, PLEADISGs, ASD
ENIDENCE.
80. Be Il enacted IN the General As,cmb{y
of TirgiHid. That where a bill, declaration,
petition. or other pleading alleges tina any
person made, endorsed, assigned, or ac-
copied any writing, 10 proof Of the band
writing of such person shall be required.
unless the fact be denied 10y affidavit with
the answer, plea, or Other pleading which
puts 10 In Issue: provided, that no such ar
ndavit shall be required where the sigma
ture Of the maker. enooser. asslgnor, or
acceptor OF any paper is not IN the personal
handwriting OF the party 10 be charged, or
his agent, Dut was n ade by machinery, or
in any other manner than by the actual or
PERSONAL handwriting Of the party To be
or his agent; then, in all such
cases. the burden OF proving such paper 10
be genuine shall be upon the party relying
upon the paper 50 offered TO be read IN
evidence. And IL Is further provided, that
expert evidence shall not be received 10
prove the genuineness Of any paper or In
stTument made by machinery, or In any
other manner than by the actual or per-
sonal handW riting Of tie party to be charged.
OF his agent
All acts and parts OF acts inconsistent
with this act are hereby repealed.
This act thail be in force irOm Us passage.
MR.. MEREDITH's CLAIM.
Mr.. Dabney urged the passage Of
Senate bill approprlating 81 900 to pay
for extra services rendered the Com
monwealth by Mr.. Wyndham K. Mere
dilh. He was highly eulogistic Of Mr..
Meredith.
MIR. Waddill inquired il Mr.. Mere
dith had not undertaken this duty for
specific salary.
Mr.. Dabney said, mo -; that this
81 900 was for extraordinary and valua-
bic services. for which the law had made
no other provision.
Mr.. Waddill wanted to hear from
a resolution he had introduced, and the
House had adopted, requesting the Au-
1itor to state what lawyers had been
and the sums due them. lie
spoke of Mr.. Meredith very kindly, but
opposed action until the report was
forthcoming.
Mr.. Franklin moved to strike out
81 900 and insert $500.
Mr.. Echols moved to pass by.
A greed to.
NEW-RESERVOIR ROADS.
Senate bill giving Richmond juris-
liction over certain county roads came
ip, when Mr.. Waddill moved to post
zone and print. Mr.. Starke asked for
easons. Mr.. Waddill said that the