The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-16

at the end Of four months. IL granted for
four months or less. the tax thereon shall
/ be 30 per cent. OF the annual tax licenses
to theatres and panoramas for one week
/ or less.
BY Mr. McRae: To amend and re-enact
section / OF an act approved February
/ 5. 1892. entitled IAN act TO legalize the
adoption OF minor children by adult per-
sons The bill provides that petitions
for the adoption OF children may be filed
| in the county. circuit, corporation courts
or circuit court Of their proper corpora
ton.
By Mr. Miller: For the relief Of the
sureties Of Samuel j. Spindle, late treas
urer Of Rappahannock county, Va.
BY Mr.. Mason: To amend section 603
OF the Code OF Virginia. 1881. relating to
the penalty Of 3 per cent. on tax payers
and postponing same TO 18th day Of
April in each year.
BY Mr.. Brugh: To refund 20 Benz.
Haden $50 dollars paid under protest
as the fee exacted by the Common
wealth Of Virginia on the charter Of
the Princess Iron Company a corpora
tion chartered by the Judge Of the
Circuit Court Of Boteourt county.
BY Mr.. Utz: To tmend and re-enact
section IL Of chapter III Of an act en-
titled AN act to provide for the assess
ment Of taxes on personal property and
incomes. and imposing taxes thereon
for the support of the government and
public free schools, and 10 pay the in
terest on the public debt. and to provide
for the mode OF applying for licenses
10 transact any business I'm this State,
and prescribing the amount TO be paid
as a condition precedent TO the right 10
transact such business. The bill refers
TO the tax TO be paid for the manufacture
OF brandy, whisky. and malt liquors.
Courts of JusfIco
The Committee on Courts Of Justice
had another full attendance yesterday
morning. The first BILL introduced by Mr.
Logan, of Craig and Roanoke. intends
to do away with the right Of the ac-
cused i'm criminal cases which might
end in capital punishment to have his
case tried I'm the Circuit Court instead
Of the County Court.
Mr. Logan explained that I'm many
instances the Circuit Court held only two
terms i'm the year. and If an adjourn
ment Of such a case was granted. II
meant q delay Of six months every time.
lie knew of an instance where in that
manner a murder case had been adj
journed for two years.
Mr. Saunders stated that when he
first became member Of the Legisla-
ture it was said that this right had
been given the accused merely to ac-
commOdate the lawyers. who We're then.
more than now. practicing from county
to county
Mr.. Boykin thought Il might be wise
10 retain this privilege Of the accused
for the reason that fl was often neces-
sary 10 have some time elapse before
the trial took place i'm order 10 allay
all existing feeling and secure an i'm
partial trial The bill was finally passed
Court of Appeals.
Mr. Crump stated that he had intro
duced two bills relating to the Court Of
Appeals, one Of which did away with the
distinction of a resident judge. He ex-
planned that the city of Richmond had
never been benefited by that distinction.
for the resident judge, as a rule, had
not been here at time when the other
judges had been absent.
The other bill divided the salaries Of
the five judges. amounting i'm all 10
SlG200. as follows: The presiding JUDGE
g. 400. and the other four $500. each.
The present law fixes the salaries in
the following manner: President judge,
$1,000; presiding judge, $500; and the
others 1000 each.
His attention had been called to the
no member Of the General Assembly
shall be eligible to an Office whose
emOluments have been increased during
his term. In view Of the fact that Mr..
Cardwell was a candidate for a Judge
ship MIR. Crump thought it was best TO
pass the bin by, until the election Of
judges had been disposed Of. This was
agreed to.
To Protect Judgment Debtors.
Another bin Of Mr.. Crump contem-
plates to amend the existing laws. so
as to prevent that no mans creditor
shall be allowed 10 plead usury for a
debt or against his protest. Section
2S2i Of the code. which is TO be repealed |
reads as follows:
ANY judgment creditor, who appre- |
hends that he is i'm danger of loss by |
reason Of usuriOus dealings on the part |
of his debtor. may exhibit his bin I'm |
equity, verified by affidavit, against the |
party with whom the dealings We're had |
and compel him 20 discover. on oath, all |
bargains. contracts. or shifts relative TO |
such dealings; and if IL appear that /
more than legal interest has been re /
ceived the excess above that rate. or /
so much thereof as may be necessary !
shall he applied 10 the satisfaction Of /
nN plaintiffs demand. Such bin shall /
be lle0 WITHIN I'VE years dlltI the /
receipt Of the Illegal interest
Mr. Crump explained the working Of |
the section i'm question. which he thought |
might do a judgment debtor a great |
Injustice and ruin his business. The
committee decided TO report the bill favor
ably.
The bill introduced by Mr.. McRae was
next taken up. which provides for the
Of the section in the Code
which requires all coupon cases TO be
tried by different jures. Mr. McRae ex-
planned that the present law did not
restrict the coupon cases, but rather en-
larged them by the publicity given them.
II was agreed to report the bill favor
ably.
Similar action was taken in regard 70
Mr. Saunders bill. which provides whore
are returnable. not exceed
ing $50 and not due nor payable.
Notes.
Colonel John Bell Bigger. the faithful
clerk Of the House of Delegates. had
rather forlorn look yesterday when he
entered the hall Of legislation. Appa
rently. he thought Of the disappointment
he met with on the previous evening,
when ne had hoped to march as vice
president with Major Ben W Richardson
the president. at the head Of the Rich
mOnd Light Infantry Blues, 10 attend the
performance Of Fortunes Of War at
the Theatre for the benefit Of the Lee
Camp charity fund. He had provided
himself with a pair OF new white gloves
and a badge only TO find out that the
engagement had been cancelled
The members Of the House who had
the good fortune TO receive appointments