Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-01-15

LEGISLATION OF LOCAL INTEREST

LEGISLATION OF LOCAL INTEREST
| VACATING THE BOARDS AND OFFICES
OF THE LUNATIC AsYLUMs AND THE
BOARD OF THE D.. D. 4 B. INSTITUTION
CONSTRUCTING sTREAMs-A REMEDY
AGAINST DEFALCATIONs-EXTE
THE CHARTER OF THE sTAUNTON GAS
| COMPANY.
| &C., &C., &C.
The legislative proceedings of the past
week have contained a good deal of inter
est to Augusta and Stanton. We make
a summary of that portion of them:
REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
OF THE LUNATIC AsYLUMs.
Mr.. Lovenstein, from the Committee on
Public Institutions, reported a bill provid-
ing for the appointment of directors of
| the several lunatic asylums of the State as
| substitute for the bill introduced by
Mr.. Causey early in the session. The SUBJ
| ject was referred to subcommittee con-
sisting of Messrs. Stubs and KeeZell, who
reported the bill to the committee, which
was adopted. The bill retires on the 10th
of April, 1885, all the members of the
Boards of Directors and all the officers
and employees of said institutions. The
Governor has the authority to appoint
nine membe RS on each board, and their
terms of office are to commence On the
18th of April, 1885, three of said board TO
hold for one year, three for two years, and
fhrno fNrf tha
pointments to be for three years The
superintendent and officers of each insti-
tuition to be elected annually; the officers
of the asylums to be appointed with refer.
enca to ability and sobriety. aud without
respect to party affiliations, and the di-
rectors to be from the section of the
country in which the institution is
located. It provides further that the
Superintendent and assistants shall
| form board for the reception Of
persons of unsound mind. instead of three
directors, as is now required by law.
The bill came up in the Senate On Tues
day and Mr.. Williams offered to amend
it by giving the appointing power to the
Board of Public Works instead of vesting
1t in the Governor. Mr.. Meredith favored
| the amendment, and Mr.. Causey opposed
it. hoping that the power which, he had
4 always thought, properly belonged to the
| Executive. would be restored to him. He
4 had always favored giving the Governor
/ this power, regardless of what political
party was in control, and he hoped the bill
\ would pass.
Messrs. Keezell and Stubs lwho, as a
! subcommittee, prepared the bill) strongly
| advocated the adoption of it as reported.
Pending the further consideration of
] this matter, on motion of Mr.. Mccormick,
the Senate adjourned.
DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND INsTITU-
TON.
The committee also reported the bill in
relation to the Deaf and Dumb and Blind
| Institution at Stanton, Virginia. This
bill provides that the Board of Visitors be
| relieved on the 18th of April, 1885, and a
new board to be appointed by the Cover
nor, the board to consist of nine members
with terms of Office to commence on 18th
of April, 1886: threesof whom to hold for
one year, three to hold tor two years. aud
three to hold for three years, the succeed
ing appointments to be for three years.
OBSTRUCTION OF WATER COURSES.
Mr.. Echols introduced bill to amend,
| &C., an act to forbid ebstructing with
1 timber or rendering foul the water. courses
of this State, approved February II, 1874.
! lThe bill provides that if any person shall,
! knowingly and wilfully, fell. throw. or
| cast timbers into any of the rivers or
creeks in this State, or shall cast or throw
| timber on the banks of said rivers or
| creeks, and allow said timber to remain so
| near to said rivers or creeks as to be
! reached by high water and liable to be
| carried or swept off by the current in the
main channels of said rivers or creeks. to
do damage or destroy any public bridge,
boat. fence. Or iDjure any other property
| by drifting against it, shall be liable to
| a fine of not less than $40 nor more than
| $1OO1
| GREENyILLE.
| Mr.. Echols introduced bill to amend,
&c, an act to incorporate the town Of
0IOCbVAIOs aug uoud COuHbys dppIOtou
February %. 1884.
| PROVIDING AGAINST FURTHER DE-
! FALCATIONs OF CITY AND
! COUNTY TREAsURERs.
Senator Koiner. of Augusta introduced
| a bill in the Senate providing for the ap-
| pointment by the Governor Of an inspector
of accounts of public officers. The duty
of the inspector shall bs to examine all
| accounts Of public officers and all corpora
tions and institutions handling funds or
property of the State. The inspection is
| to be annual or at such times as the Gov
| ernor shall direct. The salary of the in
spector is left blank. He IS to be appoint
| ed for two years unless sooner removed by
| the Governor. The object of the bill is to
detect at once any mafeasance or !misfea-
sance of any one in Office, particularly
clerks of courts and treasurers. penal
| ty is provided against those refusing to
exhibit their books and papers, and also
against the inspector if he conceals any
| improper conduct on the part of any Off
Ger. The bill was referred to the Finance
| Committee.
Delegate Webb of Rockingham, intro
duced bill to provide for the better col