Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-02-23
LEGISLATIVE.

sion, was passed WIFI al ~aIleHuinehV
providing that the expense for collect
ing the tax on fertilizers should come
out of this tax fund, but that not owe
81 500 should be allowed to meet such
expenses.
Mr.. Flood introduced a bill providing
that in all civil cases two-thirds OF the
jury shall determine what the verdict
shall be.
The bill to increase the pay of all cir
cult court judges to $4,000, except such
as were elected at this session of the
legislature, was e%ngrossed. The Cir
cult Court of Richmond and the twelfth
circuit are exempt from the provisions
of the bill.
Mr.. Mushbach introduced a bill to
create a police justice for the city of
Alexandria.
MIR. Barnes introduced a bill to in
corporate the Southern Railway and
Electric Company. The road is to run
from a point at or near the city of
Richmond through the counties of
Henlico, Hanover, Caroline, Spotsyl-
yania, Stafford, Prince William, Fairfax
and Alexandria to such point as may
be selected in the county of Alexandria.
The company is to Q empowered to
operate its road by electricity or steam.
and the capital stock is to be not less
than $50, 900 nor more than S1,0OO,OO0.
The House committee on finance re-
ported favorably Mr.. Downing's reso-
luton providing for q settlement Of
West Virginia's debt to Virginia. This
is similar to the WickLam resolution
passed by the Senate a few days ago.
A bill to protect fish in the York,
Mattaponi and Pamunky rivers was
passed, with an amendment which al
lows such fish as are only used for fer
tilizing purposes to be caught in any
manner.
Mr.. Bryant introduced a resolution to
submit to the next General Assembly
the question of amending the constitu-
ton so that the tax on citizens OF this
State over twenty-one years of age
shall be 81 instead of 81, as at present,
and allowing counties and corporations
to levy a tax not exceeding So on every
citizen, This tax is now limited to 80
cents.
The House passed a bill which pro-
vides that the moneys paid into the
public treasury of the State shall be de-
posted in such banks of good standing
in this State as shall give security by
depositing with the treasurer bonds of
the State of Virginia known as riddle
berger" or century" bonds. Under
this measure any bank may be quail
fed to receive the States moneys on
deposit, whereas under the existing law
certain banking institutions are desig-
mated.
Mr.. Fentress introduced a bill to pre-
vent railroad and steamboat companies
from violating the Sundays law. 1t
does not prevent the running of passen-
ger trains.
The discussion of the Miller local
option bill was resumed. Mr.. Nelson
finished his speech in favor of the
measure, and MI. Harrison followed
him in a long argument in advocacy OF
the measure. With regard to the point
made by Mr.. Nicol that the democrats
could not, in good faith with the tenn
perancc element OF their party, pass
the bill, Mr.. Harrison took the same
position that Mr.. Nelson had held, and
argued that the temperance people had
themselves broken faith with the dem
ocratic party by supporting the pro-
h~ibitionists. The bill went over until
to-day.
The Senate finance committee last
night considered the question Of the
State selling its interest in the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
Railroad in order to grant q charter 10
the Richmond and Manassas Road, a
parallel line, without damaging the
States holdings in the former road.
The committee favor the State dispos-
ing of the stock, but decided not to re-
port the bill until the railroad commit
tee had taken action in regard to grant
ing the charter to the Richmond and
Manassas line. Mr.. Lovenstein said
he would offer an amendment to the
bill chartering the latter line, provid-
ing that within 120 days after the char
ter was granted the company should
deposit 500, 900 with the State in Vir-
ginia bonds as a guarantee thatth COL
struction of the road would be COM
menced, and this sum should be forfeit
ed if twenty miles of the line had not
been laid within twelve months from
the time the charter was granted. The
committee favored this amendment, and
it is understood the whole matter will
be acted upon Saturday. Final action
in regard to the mater was postponed
upon a statement that parties in Alex
andria and Fredericksburg desired to
be heard before the committee.
The House committee on %asylums and pris-
ons met last night, and again took up Mr..
Koiner's bill to employ female physicians for
the female wards of the State hospitals. 1t
was reported adversely.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAs.-The Grand
Lodge of Pythians concluded its work,
in Richmond yesterday, and adjourned
to meet on the fourth Tuesday in next
February in Staunton.
Supreme Representative John H.
Alexander, of L~eesburg, in view of the
instructions which were passed last
night in regard to the German ritual,
rendered his resignation as a represen-
tative. After some persuasion Colonel
Alexander withdrew his resignation,
and the lodge adopted a resolution
expressing its confidence in and high
esteem for hat gentleman.
The Committee on the Endowment
Rank submitted its report, setting forth
the great advantages of this feature of
the order.