The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-02-13
I,episla.t1ve Notes.

Legislative Notes.
A bill has been introduced in the Leg
islature, providing that the general road
law of the State shall apply to Rock
bridge county, except so far as 1t con-
fiicts with the special law for that
county.
Also to amend the act of March, 1875,
entitled, an act for the protection of
sheep in the county of Rockingham, and
to repeal Section of same act.
By Mr. Cochran-To incorporate the
Basic City Company.
To amend and reenact Section 1907,
in relation to the dismissal OF cases in
the Court of Appeals where costs OF
printing are not paid.
House bill to incorporate the Clifton
Forge Company has passed.
Also an act to amend the charter of
Harrisonburg.
To authorize deed for portion OF
the land belonging to the congregation
of st. James church, in Churcnville, Va.
The bill of Mr. Cabell to prohibit the
sale of cigarettes to minors came up in
the House on its second reading on the
9Th. 1t was amended to make the limit
to the age of 16 years; also to prevent
the sale of tobacco i'll any form, pistols,
bowie knives, dirks, etc, to boys.
The bill, as amended, was ordered to Its
third reading. While the object OF this
bill is commendable, we doubt very
much if it should become law whether
it could be enforced There are various
ways by which it could be practically
rendered non effective, and it may be
assumed that the ''small boy' will hunt
them out with great assiduity. The
policy it indicates is something of the
order of prohibition" which rarely
ever prohibits, but let it have fair
| trial, in the event it is enacted into law.
So far the Legislature has maintained
an inactivity in regard to the debt ques-
ton. The bondholders, however, take
comfort from the fact that the ex-Gov-
ernor recommended a recast OF the Rid
dleberger bill. by which the annual in
terest on the debt would be increased
$3.50, 200, and from the further fact that
| the General Assembly, or rather the
Senate, has not as yet passed the mouse
resolution endorsing Gov. Mckinney's
views in regard to the communication
from council of foreign bondholders
Probably the Objectionable feature OF
the resolution is the reiteration of the
oft-repeated declaration of the Demo
cratic party-that the Riddleberger bill
should be finality The bondholders
will make no proposition until the de-
cisions from Washington are published
In the meantime the Legislature is con
irving obstructive coupon legislation
that may be swept away as cobwebs
No attention seems to be paid to the in
defensible principal of the debt.
On the Sth Mr. Hay, OF Madison, chair
man of the Committee for Courts of Jus
tice. introduced the following resolution
Resolved the Senate concurring)
That a Joint committee of five be APP
pointed, composed of three members OF
the House and two members OF the Sen
ate, to examine into the criminal eX
penses of the Commonwealth, and tt
report to the General Assembly or other
wise. They shall have power to send
for persons and papers and to sit during
the recess of the General Assembly, il
necessary.
This resolution was adopted, and Mr.
Hay communicated the fact to the Sen
ate, but that body refused to concur, as
their Committee on Courts of Justice
had suggested some legislation on this
subject Mr.. Hay came back and the
House appointed its own committee
to look into the matter and report some
legislation Oh the subject. Some of the
members thought this resolution woulc
be discourteous to the Senate.
Messrs. Hay, S. F. Coleman and Flood
declared the legislation recommended
by the Senate would not amount to g
picayune in reducing the criminal ex-
penses, and the House should lose nc
time in investigating the subject fol
themselves