Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-02-22
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.
Correspondence of the Alexandria GAZETTE
RICHMOND, Va, February 20, 1856.


RICHMOND, Va, February 20, 1856.
Sam Boiling, the colored delegate from
Cumberland and Buckingham counties, has
been interviewed on the local option ques-
ton, and says that if the General Assembly
gives him chance he will settle the mat
ter quicker than frog can jump 1t is
settled fact that Boiling will be called upon,
in the event OF the local option bill coming
back to the House, to define his views on
the much perpexed measure. Boiling is a
natural orator, and is intensely humorous.
He lives in land of smiles and grins, and
is fair type of the cid Virginia darkey.
He is the foremost colored man in his coun-
ty. and he is as sharp as briar. Thus far
he has made but one speech, but tbatspeech
has made him famous, and he has won the
deserved appelatiop, "the colored states
man from Cumberland"
Boiling has considerable property, and he
prides himself upon being the owner of
700 acre farm, for which he was once sold
by his "Marster" to raise money to buy.
He says he is going to handle the tunda'
mental principles of local option, and argue
"dat no law kin be passed dat will make
man good" If it is known beforehand
what time Boiling will speak the House will
not hold the people who will 60 to hear
him.
There is strong disposition on the part
of the members of the Legislature to go
home as soon as the regular session expires.
An effort will be made to have the session
continued eight or ten days after the first of
March, on account of the great amount of
business that is yet TO he attended to. The
members do not receive any pay for services
during continued session, and this fact
coupled with the small salary q legislator
receives, will induce many of them to vote
against remaining here after the expiration
of the regular session.
The confirmation by the Senate yesterday
of the school superintendent appointed by
the Board Of Education. retires from Office
OF least fifty of those officials who were ap-
pointed under the Malone administration.
Some of them have been very offensive par
tizans, and the decapitation of their official
heads has caused rejoicing in the counties
where they have been particularly obnox-
| ous.
| The special committee on tho debt will
have another meeting early this week,
at which time they will consider mat
tiers set forth in the message of the Govern
or. This committee is composed Of the
most prominent Of both parties, and their
suggestions will be given to the General As
semby ct as early q day As possible. The
debt problem excitea considerable interest,
but it is thought that tho General Assembly
will come out master of the situation, not
withstanding the decisions Of the Supreme
Court Of the United States.
As soon as the resolution introduced by
Mr.. Curlett, of Lancaster, in relation 10 the
Hampton School, was taken up By the COM
mittee TO which IL was referred, General
Armstrong appeared before that committee
and asked, in behalf Of the school, that the
investigation asked for be ordered. The
mechanics down in Elizabeth City and sur
rounding counties, claim that this school
has one million dollars of property not tag.
ed, and therefore is able to uuderbid them
in mechanical work. The House has deem
ed it proper 10 order the investigation, and
if the Senate concurs in the House reaolu.
ton, joint committee will he appointed,
who will make an investigation during the
recess of the Legislature, and report TO the
next General Assembly. B. L. o.