Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-02-15
LEGISLATURE.
THE RoAD-LAW BILL.

In the House of Delegates on Tuesday,
the 7th, the bill to re-enact the general law
regulating the working of roads so az to re-
peal compulsory working of roads by citi-
zens and imposing license tax On vehicles
using country roads, each county to raise a
fund for working the roads, came up as nm
flushed business on its engrossment.
Mr.. Elan, the patron of the bill, made a
speech in favor of the same.
Mr.. Ryan said he was surprised that the
member from Louisa, who was a membe,
of that party whose claim for existence was
the protection of infant industries of the
country, should so depart from the teach.
ings of his patty as to want to put license
tax on baby-carriage drawn by a billy
goat, and he showed that the small boy
would put his still smaller brother in :
small wagon.
Mr.. Ryan argued that the bill provided
that all vehicles might be taxed, including
baby-carriages. He was more surprised
that 80 great strickler for the Constitution
as the member from Louisa should ALLOW
himself to fall into the error of presentlns
to the House bill 80 unconstitutional. III
then proceeded to show wherein the bill wal
unconstitutional.
Mr.. Pollard claimed that the point Mr.
Ryan had made as to the unconstitutional
ty was good one.
The vote was taken and the House refus
ed to order the bill to its engrossment.
CONTRACTS FOR HIRE OF coNvIcTs.
Mr.. Echols offered resolution, instruct
ing the Committee on Courts of Justice tx
examine into and report to the House Al
early as possible whether the State has tn
constitutional right to contract with differ
emit works of internal Improvements, receiv
ing for the hire of her convicts bonds of tn
different roads and not money. The reso
luton was adopted.
THE DOCTORS BILL.
At 1 o'clock, the House on Wednesda,
proceeded with the consideration of the
special order, which was the bill to regulate
the practice of medicine and surgery in tn
State of Virginia.
Mr.. Elan, who had the floor at the tim
the chair was vacated Tuesday being emit
tied to the floor, he resumed his argumen
in opposition to the bill.
Mr.. Figgatt and Mr.. Martin also spoke
the former advocating the passage of th
! bill. the latter opposing it.
I The vote was taken on the passage of tn
bill and it was passed by vote Of SO t.
| 80.
The House, among other bills, passed tn
following:
To provide for new registration in the
city of Staunton.
To incorporate the Edgwood Cemetery
Company of Augusta Co.
In the Senate Thursday, House joint res
olution authorizing the sale OF the State
interest in the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail
way Company was taken up out of its or
der. Placed on the calendar.
The question on the adoption of the re
solution was put, aud it was adopted by
vote of % to G..
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.
III the House Thursday, Mr.. Pollard in
troduced bill to create Board of Equal
zation of the Assessment of Real Estate 70
purposes of taxation. The bill provides 70
the appointment of three persons by tn
Governor who shall compose this board
whose duty it shall be to establish uni
| form system of valuation of the real .estat
in the Commonwealth, to be made the basl
for the regular reassessment in the yea
1890. Each member of the Board shal
qualify within thirty days after his appoint
ment, and the Board shall meet in the cit
of Richmond and shall organize By the cleo
ton of one of their members as presiden
and one as secretary, &c. 1t shall be tn
duty of the Board to visit each county il
the Commonwealth and ascertain by pei
sonal inspection of the real estate as far a
practicable and by examination of the re
cords of the courts, the value of such rea
estate; and the Board, in making such valu
alton, shall classify the real estate unde
the following descriptions:
1st. The best quality of agricultural tim
Der or mineral lande.
%. Medium quality of agricultural tin
Der or mineral lands.
Sd. Inferior quality of agricultural tim
Der or mineral lands.
The Board to complete this work by jar
1, 1890 and make a report to the Auditc
of Public Accounts. Each member of th
Board to receive $4,000 and the actu;
travelling expenses incurred in the perform
ance of his duty.
i The bill to regulate commerce in th
State of Virginia came up in the House tt
day as the special order.
Mr.. Dabney made an able speech in sui
port of the same.
Pending the debate the House adjourn
ed.