The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-04

,outts of Justice
The Committee FOR Courts OF justice
met in the room over the 'our, OF sP-
meals Yesterday morning, with Mr.. Saun-
dcrs. Of Franklin. IN me chalr' ON
introduced by Mr.. Bryant. OF Richmond
in reference 10 certain changes In the
mechanics lien law was taken mp, when
AIR. crump stated that several parties
were DESTROYS tc appear before the com
mittee. and az his request the considera-
ton OF the bill was postponed untI To-
morrow morning.
A bin introduced by Mr.. McRae, Of Pc
;crsburg. was taken up, which AMENDS ,hS
law as TO the lcgalizing OF the adoption
OF minor children by adult persons. the
amendment extends the jurisdiction In
the matter TO corporation and circuit
courts The committee decided to report
the bill favorably.
The next bin was one Of Colonel Logan,
OF Roanoke. providing for an amendment
Of the law which makes the stealing
of a horse mule. and ass a penlteniiaTy
offense. The amendment seeks to include
the stealing of beef cattle. The law now
provides for an imprisonment OF from
three to eighteen years, and IL was
thought by some members of the COM
mittec that the maximum punishment
OF three years Imprisonment would be
rather high for the stealing OF calf, ana
the bill was finally passed by.
Mr. Merritt r. Cooke. OF Norfolk. APP
poarcd before the committee on behalf
OF bill introduced by him. providing
that 30 judgments shall he lien on
real estate as against a purchaser for
valuable consideration without notice. UNI
III. and except from the time II is duly
tota -
the law in the county or corporation
wherein such real estate is.
The bill met with good deal Of opposi-
ton, and was finally passed by.
New Conrt 10, Norfolk.
Mr.. Cooke also advocated bill pro-
viding FOR subdivision OF the courts
in Norfolk. involving an appropriation
Of 1880 by the State. the amount paid
by the State to chancery court judge
The bill provides for the creation OF a
chancery court outside OF the corpora
ton court from January J. 1895. The
court shall have similar powers as a
circuit court. The bin is endorsed by
the members OF the Norfolk Bar
Mr.. Cooke stated that It was thought
that the creation OF an additional court
would decrease the expenses Of the
State. by insutuung monthly criminal
terms
Mr. FeHtress, OF Portsmouth. stated
that the Circuit Court held only two terms
a year. while the Corporation Court now
had four criminal terms. four civil terms,
and three chancery terms in the year.
The Circuit Court had five other conn-
ties 10 look after besides Norfolk lie
thought that the more speedy trial of
prisoners by monthly criminal terms
would be a financial saving to the State.
The committee seemed TO be somewhat
divided. and on motion of Mr. Hathaway
the Dlli was passed by 10 enable the
committee TO look deeper into the mat
ter. Messrs. Cooke and Fentress were
requested 10 ascertain the number Of
days during which the Circuit Court
IS In session.
The Chair stated that after the Consti-
tuition had been amended. which would
be after the general election next year.
the business Of the Corporation Court
would be greatly relieved.
Mr. Cooke stated that If the appropria-
ton of S2,O0 was the only objection the
city would be very willing to pay that
amount out Of the city treasury
How {, Collect Fees.
Col. L. +. Munford commissioner Of
revenue of Richmond. appeared before the
committee in advocacy Of the bill pro-
viding for the collection Of transfer fees
in real estate transactions before or at
the time when the deed is recorded. COL
onel Munford stated that at present the
commissioners Of revenue were losing a
good manf collections now. for frequently
the collections We're not made until fifteen
or eighteen months after the transfer Of
the property in question had been made.
and efter lapse of two years such
IA Ia. .,
Mr.. CrLmp stated that quite number
OF clerks Of courts were opposed TO the
measure for the reason that they had lust
about enough trouble 10 collect the fees
for the filing Of the deed. and could not
afford to give their time to the collecting
of fees for others in view Of the fact
that some OF these clerks desired TO be
heard before the committee. Mr.. Crump
asked for a pestponement Of the further
consideration OF the matter. This was
agreed TO.
That Ferry Bill.
The Committee on Roads railroads
ana Internal Navigation also met yester-
day morning. and decided 10 report a
number of local bills favorably Among
them was the Norfolk ferry bill. whlcn
provides for an extension of time for the
establishn ent OF new ferry line between
the bill was reported in the House il was
referred back TO the committee on motion
Of Mr.. Cooke, who stated that several
gentlemen wished 20 appear before the
committee. the bin will be again con-
sidered at the next meeting of the COM
mittce.
Notes
Among the visitors who occupied seats
in the House yesterday was Congressman
James ". Marshall. Of the Seventh dis
trict. or Cyclone jim" as he is usually
called by his friends 1t is understood
that he came here TO advise some of his
friends as To the selection Of proper cam
didates for the Supreme Court OF Appeals.
Mayor Ellyson. of Richmond. also was
an interested spectator during the session
OF the House yesterday. Another we'll
known visitor was Mayor Henry :.
Trout. of Roanoke.
There seems to be the best Of harmony
ip existence between the cities of Nor
folk and Portsmouth. When the bill was
considered in the Committee Of Courts for
Justice yesterday. which provides Tor the
creation OF an additional court III Nor
folk. Mir. Fentress. of Portsmouth, warm
~ advocated the measure. Mr.. Cooke, ON
his part. expressed the wish that the
two cities be united under the name Of
Joint Portsmouth" and added that II
Mr.. Fcntress would draw such a biH ne
would gladly support the same.
1t was announced at the close OF Inc
session Yesterday that the Committee on
Schools and Colleges. Of which Mr.. camp
bcn. Of Amherst. is chairman viii hold
its first meeting this morning AZ thc
Office OF the Superintendent Of Public
instruction. on Twelfth. between Mar
shall and Clay streets
the senate.