National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-06
VIRGINIA'S LEGISLATURE.
A WEEKS RECORD OF THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY.
Lower House-The Debt Decision
Causes sensation Calling for De-
tailed Accounts of Public Expendl-


Lower House-Thc Debt Decision
Causes "A Sensation Calling for De-
tailed Accounts of Public Expendi-
turc.
RICHMOND, Jan. 3i.--Iu the senate yester-
day report from the treasurer was read,
showing that the amount collected from the
sale Of delinquent lands since 1865 was less
than $4,000. On motion of Mr.. Heaton,
the senate adopted a resolution requiring
the auditor to furnish a statement Of the
receipts and expenditures Of the state gov
eminent. lie said he was determined that
taxes should not be raised by his vote. Mr..
Kecsell, of Rockingham, offered resolution
requiring the auditor to furnish an itemi2ed
account Of the receipts and expenditures to
every general assembly.
In the house Of delegates yesterday Mr..
Fulkerson offered the following, which was
agreed to:
That the auditor of public accounts report to
this house the county treasurers who were In
default to the state at the time prescribed by
law for the last settlement of their respective
accounts and the amount from each due the
statci also, a statement showing the amount
due from previous treasurCrs and their cOun.
ties, and what action, If any, has been taken
against them.
The chairman of the committee for courts
and Justice asked the senate to allow three
members Of the same to constitute quo
rum, saying that for two weeks there had
been no meeting OF the committee. The
senate refused the request.
RICHMOND, Va, Feb. 1.-The news Of the
United States supreme Court decision In
the Virginia coupon cases reached here
about the time Of the adjournment Of the
house, and now Virginia legislators are at
loss to know what to say. \ prominent
state official said this evening that the legis-
laturC had now to come down TO business.
Coupons Jumped from 30 TO i6 this evening.
The legislature has been advised to repeal
all debt legislation and re-cnact the Riddle
berger bills. Everything Is in state of con
fusion In Nirginla's capital tonight as re-
CARDS our financial standing.
The senate this evening refused to con-
firm the board Of trustees Of the Petersburg
normal school, colored, appointed by the
late board of education. This college, IL Is
claimed. has been badly managed, and a
thorough investigation is asked for.
In the senate to-day resolution by Mr.
Rhea was offered, giving the governor
authority to have the boundary line be-
tween Virginia and Tennessee established
II is claimed this will give this state much
valuable territory.
The following bills were passed To pay
y. II. Greene, of Halifax, for defending
coupon suits: repeating all game laws in
GreCnville, Sussex, and Dinwiddie; to re-
quirc the appointment of school superin.
tendents of Roanoke city, aud to relieve
W. G.. kigOrc, Of Wise county.
The committee on public institutions re.
ported adversely to Senator McDonald's
bill giving free books to free schools. There
is, however another similar but bourbon
bill before them.
Senator Koiner introduced a bill to an
thorize the treasurer to readiust the claim
Of the commonwealth against the sureties
OF the Planters and Merchants Bank of
Petersburg. The rules were suspended and
the bill placed upon the calendar.
In the house OF delegates to-day the local
option hill was ordered to its engrossment.
II authorizes the judges Of county courts,
upon the petition of one-ffth of the popular
vote cast at the previous election, to order
special election to determine whether
liquor shall be sold within said county. All
cities, as well as all distilleres, are excepted
from the operation of the bill,
The house agreed to senate amendment
TO house bill appropriating $4,000 to
wounded and disabled soldiers, anu the bill
now goes to the governor.
bill was introduced to protect public
NClOpl NtuCutIS lTOIn lOsS vi slluIy Dy non
attendance Of pupils.
Mr. Cardwell introduced bill to au-
thorize the payment Of interest on the reg
iStered bonds OF the commonwealth for
$4,000 held by and standing in the name
of the corporation styled "The Trustees of
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in the United Statcs.n
RICHMOND, Feb. 2.--The effect of the de-
cision Of the United States Supreme Court
81 a "a ODD Nsng IN tn l,a
greatest confusion in the transaction Of
business that has been seen here this session.
The treasurer of the city of Richmond was
on the floor Of the senate before the session
trying to ascertain from some one what
should be done as to receiving coupons. lie
saw MIR. Rhea and other senators, but the
reliance Of the senate seems at present to
settle down on two bills reported and three
introduced by the committee on the state
debt, which have for their object the pre-
ventiOn of the sale of coupons in the state,
the limitation of the time In which they
can lie proved genuine, the punishment
| of barrGtry aud champcrty, and the
| protection Of the tax collectors of
the state. All Of these bills have been pre-
| pared with view to meet the decisions OF
| the United States Supreme Court, and in
the discussion Of the question arising from
| the present state Of finance there was IL
| vein of bitterness between the two wings of
| the dominant party.
Mr. Koiner did not want to hurry things
through as had been done last session in
this trcading on Mr.. Wickham's toes. lie
| wanted to consider all measures well.
| Mr., Rhea wanted to teach the world what
| Virginia would do in the matter of paying
coupons, having said she would never pay
them. All Of these bills took the usual
| course, there not being "ayesn enough to
suspend the rules to take up.
The bOurbOus here claim that Malone Is
| to blame for the decisions Of the United
states supreme Court yesterday in the
coupon case. and the effort of the party
seems to be to put all their sins on others
| shoulders.
The senate spent two hours discussing
the question Of printing the names and
| counsel OF all persons who have suits
| against the state for the enforcement of the
| receipt Of coupons for taxes. Into the discus,
| sion politics was drawn, and the bOurhons
aimed blow at the Republicans for being
SO unpatriotic as to pay taxes In coupons,
| The county members are arraying them,
selves against the cities, both on account OF
taxes and whisky drin0lhg, the cities being
able to pay in coupons mud drink whisky
while the want Of coupons and local option
Will prevent the counties from doing either
LOCAL OPTION BILL PASSED.
The house passed the local option bill eX.
empting cities and towns of 5000 inhabi
| tants from It's operations, and sent II to the
| senate, where II went to committee. The
| friends Of the measure, rs proposed 10y Good
Templars, viii now try to defend the bill Il.
| it passed the house.
The house to-day passed the delinquent
| tax bill, which eXempts all lauds from sale
| reported delinquent prior 10 Jan. /, 1886.
| The senate spent some time IN discussing
| the bill, and adjourned without action.
The senate passed the bill to allow a set.
| Element Of state claims against the Peters
burg Merchants and Mechanics Bank.
| The railroad commission bill uao",t,el a
Ion" time In tie h""s5 Today.
| There was an evening session Of the
house, when number Of private bills were
| advanced on the calendar
RICnMoND, Feb, 4,--Senator Rhca TO day
| offered "A bill To prpVpnt the funding uT stntp