Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-14
WASHINGTON.
ELL TO AxELIoRArH THE HAnsHSEss
OF fxrERxAL-RKvxSUE LAWS.
!scne Of Its festuret-hr. sraay's Dan
eemte Bill and It's Probable Pate
Hsfd's Case,
rfrom or Regular corre<ponsent.l

prom or Regular Corre~ponsentl
wAsufSoTox. April l3.--The bill
Snt,oduced by Hon. John y. Henderson,
of North Carolina, ITO ameliorate the
hayshbcss Of some Of the worst features
Of Tie acknowledgements system OF legiS-
lation " will be reported back from the
Committee on Judiciary with fsvora-
be recommendation. The bill hss been
in charge Of Mr.. X. T. Bennett. OF the
committee, who is preparing an exhaus-
tive report upon the subject. The bill
,noyi6es, in criminal trials f5r violation
Of internAl-revenne laws, the crimioal
intent Of the person on trial shall be
the essence Of the crime charged,
and ths; they shall be prose-
cu,ed on indictment only. infoT.
nation by a district attorney beiag
disallOwed. No warrant shall issue ex-
ceyi upon sworn complaint OF a reputa-
bic witness setting forth in detail the
facts involved within his personal know
ledge. In case Of acquittal Of defend
ant or noNe prosequi entered, costs shall
be paid by prosecutor, and the Judge OF
the court is authorized to determine
who the prosecutor is at any stage who
may be sdjudged liable for costs, and
may he imprisoned for non-psyment
thereof. and detained IN custody until
paid. The bill also provides for pri-
son-bond enabling those imprisoned in
county jail for one year or less 10 walk
within prescribed limits for the benefit
and preservation OF health.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Brady 10
the House yesterday is regarded a.
mere buncombe. The measure was re-
ierred to the Judiciary Committee, OF
which Hon. J. Randolph Tucker is
Chairman. Mr. Tucker, it is claimed
by The Virginia delegation, thoroughly
understands the debt problem, aud will
at an early day make report on the
subject that will completely upset the
oratorical periods Of Mr.. Brady s elabo-
rate preamble and put qaietus on his
bill.
At the suggestion Of Qusrtermsster-
General Holabird, United States army,
10 whom the matter was referred, the
Committee on Military Affairs have re-
ported n substitute for Hon. G.. D.Wise's
bill for improving the road from Rich
mond 20 the Richmond National cenete-
W. The substitute increases the appropri-
alton for this purpose from 10000 to
s25,0GO. Ii provides for grayelled
road, commencing at the eastern ter
minus Of Broad street, at Chimborazo
Park. The road will be fifty feet wide,
grsyelled, with right Of way 100 feet
wide. The cost OF this work, with
bridge over Gillie's creek, has been
estimated at S27 200. but the commit
tee has taken off $4,000 for appearance
sake.
Mr.. Charles ". Button, the newly
appointed postmaster at Lyncbburg, has
been IN the city several days feeling the
senatorial pulse on the matter Of his
confirmation. lie has had several very
agreeable interviews with Republican
senators. and removed the bad impress
sions left by parties unfayorable TO him.
Captain Ham. Shepard, internal-reve-
nue. collector Of the Stanton district,
is here looking after his own and incl
dentally that Of other combinations by
the Senate.
The Romeis- Hurd contested-election
case was called up to-day and eight
hours allowed for general debate there
on. There are three reports from the
Elections Committee, the majority be-
ing in favor of MIR. Romeis, the sitting
member; The minority in favor Of Mr..
Hurd, and third, signed by two mem
bers, declaring the election null and
void. The prevailing opinion Is that
MIR. Romeis will retain his seat. There
are. outside Of the realms Of Justice,
several things that will contribute to
this result. The first is Mr.. Hurd's
extreme free-trsde views, which led hin
In the campaign OF 1850 to take
grounds far beyond those occupied by
the most enthusiastic tree-Traders OF
the party. In fact. he went so far IN
Democratic Committee refused to re-
cognize bis claims upon their assistance.
Again In the Forty-eighth Congress
Mr.. Hurd voted against the seating Of
jonathan II. Wallace, who successfully
contested William McKinley's seat.
Mr.. Wallace had clear case, the
seat being gives to Mr.. Mckinley
by the Republican Secretary Of
State of Ohio after throwing
out several hundred votes cast for
Wallace because the initials Of his
name were wrong upon the ticket.
There is very little sympathy expressed
for Mr.. Hurd, one prominent Demo-
cratic congressman declaring that If
brought before court Of law he
would have 10 cause for action what
ever. The previous question will pro-
bstly be called about 5 O'Clock to-
morrow afternoon.
Next Saturday the Committee on
Public Grounds and Buildings will have
the floor Of the House for the cOnSide-
ration OF bills for the erection OF public
buildings not involving an expenditure
Of over s25, 900. Mr.. Dibble. Of South
Carolina, is preparing the list for North
Carolina and points south, while Me-.
Snyder, Of West Virginia. includes the
Old Dominion in his list. These gen.
ilemen are busily engaged in preparing
the bills to be brought up for passage
on Saturday.
Hon. George ID. Wise was at the
headquarters Of the Lighthouse Board
to-day looking after the interests Of
nsyigsiors.