Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-12-10
Letter from Richmond.

Letter from Richmond.
Correspondence of the ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
RICHMOND, Va, Dec. 9 : Senator Heaton
intimated in his remarks the other day that.
the Bachelors club of the General Assembly
will he reorganized at this session. He de-
clares that when another term rolls aronud
be will not be-eigibe 10 mem bership in the
organization, hut will surrender the presi-
dency to the Senator from Fairfax or the
Senator from Henry. MIR. Peters is the SEN
ator from Henry, and be is an exceedingly
popular ladies man, besides being wide
awake and useful legislator.
The standing committees of the two
houses will not have regular meetings until
after the election of the basement officers.
Legislators are too much interested in this
matter now to discuss the various bills that
nave been offered.
Delegate Hume, OF Alexandria, and Mr..
Peter ]. Burton, we'll known newspaper
man Of Richmond, are 60 much alike that
the latter has several times recently been
MIR. Burton regards that as very great
compliment. Peter" as his confreres call
him, was elected by the sculptor Valentine
to stand" for him while Mr. Valentine was
making the statue of Gen. Breckenridge.
Very few people in. Kentucky or Virginia
either are aware of the fact that Mr.. Bur
toms figure Ia the exact counterpart OF the
figure of Gen. Breckenridge. MIR. Vaen-
tine dressed him up 10 soldiers clothes. and
Mr.. Burton takes pleasure to this day 10
showing exactly how Breckenridge was
wont TO pose.
RICHMOND, Dec. 10-There was large
attendance of visitors at the Capitol yester
day who were on hand expecting tc hear
memorial addresses 10 respect to the mem
DRY of Jefferson Davis. No addresses were
delivered, however, as the special order hav
ing for lis purpose the COMMUNICATING of
the virtues and the great career of Mr. Davis
was postponed until tomorrow (Wednes
dsyl at o'clock. At that time the two
houses will be packed with people, ss it is
expected that some eloquent orations will
be delivered.
Mr.. Pitcher, who is at the head of the
House Committee on Executive Expenses,
and Mr.. Silver, who Is at the head Of the
Committee on Agriculture and Mining. are
old members. Their experience in the last
session OF the General Assembly will be- OF
great service to them this year. IT l mis-
take not it was Mr. Pitcher who first sug
gested that Gan Francis H. Smith be made
superintendent emeritus, Of the Virginia
Military Institute when the legislative con :
mittee was investig eating that institution two
years ago.
In day or Two several bills affecting the
farming interest of Virginia will be pre-
sented to the General Assembly. There is
more unanimty of sentiment al this session
of the General Assembly for new aud
more practical road law then many CcuI
ties now have. This question Of improving
the roads of the commonwealth has been
knotty one in years past and 1t Is hoped
that some measure will be- enacted whereby
betterment of the roads throughout cur
State Can be obtained. A delegate from
one of the counties in the southwest tells
me that at certain periods ofthe year, in his
coun' V, the main roads are almost impessa
BILE for miles and miles, and that this cond
ton of affairs exist in the face OF the fact
that large appropriations have been made
for road improvements. The trouble, he
thinkp, ia iu the syatem of working the
roads. There are many others who think
the same way and the man who shapes
bill that can meet the requirements OF the
hour 10 this respect ought TO be immortal
lied.
The pa sage 10 the House yesterday o:
bill amending the new code in relation TO
the Commissioner OF Agriculture, takinr
away the power Of appointment from the
Governor and placing it back again into tho
hands of the Legislature, was regarded as
sure Indication that there will be more than
one candidate for this office. The Office OF
Commissioner of Agriculture is very
imnortant ono and it is frequently noted at
the Capitol that real farmer will be ptted
against Gel. Whitehead for this Office. The
Colonel seems to fear this il one Is to Judge
by his enthusiasm in showing what he has
accomplished while ia office. b. T. U.