Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-14

under tho Jurisdiction of the Justices of
thc ,,oace INT the proposition was opposed
by Messrs. Moore and blackstone and de-
The three bills offered by the Finance
Committee with this same end in view
were next taken up ond ordsred TO their
enorossment. The bill touching the pay
~ witnessss was amended so as to provide
that fees for the attendance of witnesses
Tor the Commonwealth before justice of
Tho neace or police justice shall be taxed
oe n mart ~ the costs against the defendant
In case Of conviction and paid to the
narties entitled IL collected.
The bill in relation TO the fees of CON-
mouwealth's attorneys was after some dis
cnssion passed By until TODAY. when II
will either lead to O prolonged discussion
or be recommitted.
THE CHANGES.
The first of these bills provide that the or
binary yenire facias shall consist Of twelve
instead of twenty jurors.
The next so amends the Code in relation
To payment of fees 10 officers out OF the
Treasury in criminal cases as TO provide
that no account shall be allowed or paid
for prosecutions OF offences against the or
dinances of any city or town.
The third of the series, which was passed
by until today, so amends section 1923 of
the Code of Virginia. in relation TO fees of
ottorneys for the Commonwealth, as to
provide that for every case of felony prose-
cuted TO Judgment this official shall re-
ceiye SO: where there is an indictment for
felony, and the party is convicted Of mis-
demeanor only 50 shall be received. For
misdemeanor prosecutions the fee shall be
So; but no such fee shall be paid out OF
the Treasury unless and until the Judge OF
the court where the case was tried shall
certify that in his opinion the same cannot
be collected OF the defendant by process of
law.
No. 4, in relation to fees of a sheriff. &c,
provides that no person shall be employed
as a guard unless the justices certify that
such guard could not DO safely dispensed
with. Guards are TO be paid scventy-tye
cents per day and four cents for mileage.
The next in order amends the Code inre-
Iation to fees of q jailer. The provision
hero is that no payment shall be made out
of the Treasury for receiving, Keeping, and
supporting any prisoner committed 10 Jau
for q violation of the ordinance OF any city
or town, or who is in jail under cdpids pro
fine issued for failure to paw fine i'm
posed for violation of such ordinances.
The next bill amends section 1888 OF the
Code of Virginia. in relation TO fees OF
officers in gaming and certain other cases.
The seventh bill provides that the num-
Der of grand jurors to be summoned shall
be twelve instead of twenty-four, and
seven members of a regular and five of a
special grand Jury will have TO concur in
an indictment.
The next bill gives the justices of the
peace jurisdiction Of all common-law mis-
demeanors.
The last bin requires judges of county
a oO-,,nraffAt 0nifrtG 10 Gnt criminal
cases for trial. .
1t is estimated that the enactment Of
these laws and their faithful execution
will save the State about 800, 600 per
annum.
At 2:4O. after ordering few local bills TO
their engrossment, the Senate adjourned.
House of Delegates.
The House was called to order by Speak
or Cardwell at 12 o'clock. No prayer.
The bill TO incorporate the Norfolk aud
Richmond Railroad Company was reported
from the Committee on Roads.
TAX on REAL ESTATE.
Mr.. Fentress sent to the Clerks desk and
had read resolutions adopted by the citi-
zens of Princess Anne requesting the Gem
eral Assembly 10 enact such laws as are
necessary 10 release owners OK real estate
from all taxation thereon to the extent OF
the mortgage thereon Referred to the
Finance Committee.
PETITIONS.
Mr.. Cardwell presented a petition from
certain citizens of Ashland asking the
Legislature 20 reject certain amendments
proposed to the charter of the town.
A petition from citizens OF Isle OF Wight
was presented by Mr.. Wright, praying the
General Assembly TO allow them 10 catch
two bushels Of oysters per day during the
summer months; also, To prohibit all per-
sons from catching black saltwater terra
pins for the period of two years, and after
that time to prohibit all persons from
catching them under six inches long.
EQUALIZATION OF LAND ASSESSMENT.
ylr. Hudgin sent to the Clerks desk and
had read the proceedings OF meeting OF
citizens Of Caroline county calling the at
tention of the General Assembly To the
glaring inequality of the assessment OF the
real estate Of the Commonwealth, and
asking the enaction OF such laws az VIII
remedy the same. Also. asking the placing
of the criminal expenses upon the various
counties of the Commonwealth and the
reduction of tho rate of taxation Of tho
State to that extent.
La this connection Mr. Hudgin offered
the following, which was referred:
Resolced, That the Committee on Finance
be instructed TO inquire into the expe-
diency of establishing q State Board Of
Commissioners whose duty 1t shall be 70
adjust and equallze the assessment OF land
throughout the Commonwealth.
BILLS PLACED on THE CALENDAR.
To incorporate the West Bristol Land
Company.
10 amend and re-enact sections 8. 6. and
IS Of an act TO amend the charter and ex-
tend and define the boundaries of the city
Of Norfolk, approved April G. 1881.
To amend and re-enact an act incorpo-
rating tho town Of Brentsyille, in Prince
William county.
TO incorporate the Brosius and Bedford
CITY Steel and Iron Manufacturing Com
pany.
TO incorporate the Bedford Industrial
and Development Company.
To amend and re-enact section 1919 of
the Code of Virginia. in relation to the
appointment of commissioners in chancery
amended and re-enacted and approved
February 4, 1890.
Iron Company.
To provide for working and keeping in
order the public roads in AlecIenburg
county.
To authorize Charles Z. Babbett to erect
a wharf on Chincoteague bay, IN Accomac
county.
To incorporate the Harrisonburg and
Elktown Turnpike Company.
To provide for the improvement and
working of the roads in the counties of
Prince George and Surry and for the con-
structing and repairing of bridges therein
and to repeal all other acts in conflict
Herewith.
HOUSE BILLS PASSED.
To provide for working and keeping in
order and repair the roads. highways, and
bridges of Amherst county.
Amending and re-enacting sections zoos,
POLO, 206l, 20l5, 20l7. 202l, 2022, 2023, and re-
pealing sections 202S, 2029, 2030, and 2O31 of
chapter 80 Of the Code of Virginia. relative
to the duties of the harbor commissioners
Of Norfolk and Portsmouth with Senate
amendment
INTRODUCED AND REFERRED.
By Mr.. Baker: To amend section COB of
the Code of Virginia, in regard to the col
lection of taxes.
BY Mr.. Silver: To amend and reenact
section 1887. chapter ca Code of 1887, in re-
lation to location OF school-houses
BY Mr. Peters For the relief Of Henry
Brant. of Campbell county.
BY Mr.. j. L. Mason: To empower courts
to try misdemeanor cases without jury,
consent of accused having first been OBJ