Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-01-22
TIE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

In the Senate yesterday the bill making
en- annual appropriation for the support Of
the Home of B. E. Lee Camp, No. l, Con-
federate Veterans, was reported, with
amendments, changing the psr capita from
sl20 to 500, and making the appropriation
for two years instead of annually, thus leav.
ing to the next Legislature the question of
further appropriations.
A bill was referred, defining the hours of
labor on State work. and providing that 10
the employment of all free labor by any of
the departments of the State government
eight hours of actual labor in the twenty.
four shall constitute days work.
a petition as presented from the Board
OF Visitors of the Virginia Normal and COL
legiate Institute, near Petersburg, request
ing the General Assembly to appropriate
the sum of $50, 800 to complete the building
now in course Of erection.
Bills were Introduced to allow the Com
mon wealth TO prove the character of persons
charged with crime; to amend the code 10
relation To the government of the Virginia
Military Institute. (The object of the bill
is TO make more binding upon the Stale stu.
dents the obligation TO teach two years in
the public schools of the Commonwealth
Petitions were presented from the Cham
Der Of Commerce of the city of Petersburg.
and Of merchants of said city, and also from
merchants of Richmond and Norfolk, ask
ing that the Office Of -four Inspector be abol-
ished.
The House joint resolution to repair the
executive mansion and appropriating money
therefor, was amended by making the sum
IS 600 and then passed.
The bonds bill, as to engraved signatures
to coupons, ETC., reported on Wednesday
was passed.
The House amendments to the bill estab.
fishing q State normal school were agreed
to.
In the House Of Delegates the local option
bill, after some discussion, was made the
order Of the day for Wednesday.
Dir. Downing. of Warren, said he was
willing to stand upon the platform of the
democratic party. He was under the i'm
preston that the democratic platform e,-
empted elections in the cities.
Mr. Mayo, ofWestmoreland, said he would
vote for the bill, but not because party plat
forms endorsed it. He said platforms were
made to catch votes, and he knew it, be-
cause he had helped to make platforms.
Mr.. Hay. of Madison, said he was oppos
ed to the bill out and out, and was opposed
to all such sumptuary laws. He said that
The platform Of the democratic party never
recommended to the General Assembly that
such bill should be passed.
The Senate bill amending an act estab'
lisbing Corporation Court for the city OF
Roanoke was passed.
The House bill appropriating $4,000 to
wounded and disabled soldiers was recon-
mitted.
Tie bill to provide in effect that when q
man offers coupons in court the burden OIL
proof upon him shall be 10 prove the genu.
ineness Of the signature, was passed.
The House also passed Senate bill to pay
Wyndham r. Meredith $3.50 for services
rendered the State In coupon suits.
The committee on Public Institutions and
Education were requested to take into con
>ideraton the subject of establishing legal
| holidays and as TO the number of hours
tau2 BIT each day in the public schools, and
make report il deemed expedient.