The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-05

hit would generally benefit the state. NO
appropriation could commend itself more
strongly 10 The intelligent libcrality or
the Legislature. Ills society was fully
equipped TO do the work, for II had Just
passed through a very hard struggle. HOW
ever. Il could not accomplish the work
without aid from the State, for II could
not rely on private munifcerce alone. NO
Appropriation which the Legislature couid
make would prove 10 be OF greater benefit,
and II was strictly I'm the line of legisa-
tive policy. Year after year money was
Appropriated for literary institutions. but
this work was something which these in
sttutions could not perform while the
society could carry II out very easily.
The only question to be considered was.
he thought whether the State was in the
condition TO make tic appropriation. lie
knew Tie State was called Upon FOR many
worthy objects. but none was OF greater
benefit
Action Postponed.
COL Morton Marye. the Auditor OF Pub
lie Accounts. who was present. was asked
whether. In his opinion. the literary fund
could stand this additional expense. but
he replied that he had nothing 10 do with
that fund.
Mr. Cooke. Of Norfolk. thought It would
be advisable to pass the hill by until the
COMMITTEE idU dtFtfAdiUtu MH'AHfl 'H'
receipts and disbursements Of the state
would warrant the appropriation.
Mayor Ellyson also heartily endorsed
the object OF the bill. and added that this
appropriation would give the mark OF the
states appreciation to the work, whereby
additional private subscriptions would be
insured.
Al the request Of President Tyler the
provision was finally stricken out by
xthfeh tho. u-n n the
literary fund. thereby providing the money
TO be taken from any available funds.
After some further discussion, the bill
was passed by 10 secure additional infor-
nation as to the financial ability of the
state 20 pay that money.
An Absurdtiy.
~ the request Of Ir. Saun-
dcTs or Franklin. who was pres
ont 2 bill was taken up which seeks
10 refund to the treasurer Of Franklin
county for the amount Of SIC, which he eX-
pended for the advertising OF the sale OF
certain properties for delinquent taxes.
The present law provides that the treas
urer shall advertise for sale property on
which taxes are delinquent. and t5at a
valid title shall only be given after such
sale has been duly advertised The law
allows the treasurer the sum Of s. 20 pay
for the advertising, an amount which, in
some instances. is insufficient.
Just But Inexpedient
In the case Of the treasurer OF Franklin
county. the advertising had been done
upon the advice OF the Auditor Of Public
Accounts. and the bill had amounted to
81, SIG Of which the treasurer had al
Nanccd out Of his own pocket. Mr.. Saunders
showed that the bill only asked for the
refunding OF an amount which the state
had already received out of the sale or
the value Of which he held in the property
bought In by the Commonwealth. the
committee admitted that the claim Of the
treasurer was a just one but some mem
bers thought IT would be inexpedient 10
pay the claim until 1t had been ascertain
ed what additional amount the State might
be compelled 10 refund I'm similar instances
10 other treasurers.
Mr.. Saunders explained that two wears
ago and four years ago he had succeeded
In having two similar bills passed. and
that no other county treasurer had taken
advantage Of the action Of the Lesisla-
turc.
The committee by a tie vote declined 10
report the bill favorably. and It was pass
ed by for further consideration.
Complicated Case.
The last bill taken up by the Finance |
Committee yesterday was a bill introduced |
by Mr.. Cox which revealed rather pc
culiac circumstances The bill is for the
relief Of Mr.. Joseph d. Mitchell hard
ware merchant Of Bristol. who several |
ears ago was fined in the Grayson Coun-
~ Court.
II appears that some six or eight years
ago Mr.. Mitchell was a drummer. and
while travelling through Grayson county
at one time he came through a district
which had been infected by measles. al
though he did not know of IT, He stopped
one night al the house Of Mr. Ephraim
Young, where he had spent nights before
on numerous other occasions. He was
asked whether he had had the measles or
had been anywhere where that disease
prevailed He replied in the negative.
4 few days later 1t happened that the
old couple with whom ne had been stop
ping were stricken with the measles, and
both died soon after
Mitchell who had unknowingly violated
the law by travelling through a district
where measles prevailed. was indicted
and his own lawyer being unable to at
tend the trial, he asked a lawyer from
Marion TO attend TO the case. The latter
started on his way, but his horse being
sick, did not reach the court in time.
Mitchell was, therefore, not represented
at the trial, and on motion of the Com
lnOHNtdlth attorney, the maximum line
Of $1,000 was imposed upon him.
The only redress for Mitchell at this
time would be the granting OF a new
trial. This would however. involve addi-
tional expense TO the CommOnv ealth as
well as TO Mitchell, and for that reason
he above bin has been introduced
The committee passed the bill by for
the lack Of time. and will dispose Of II
AZ The next meeting.
To Reduce Registration Expenses
The Committee on Privileges ana Elec-
lions met In the hall Of the House of Dele
gates Yesterday Immediately after the adj
icurnment, with Colonel J. Catlett CiJ-
sCn in the chair.
A bill was considered introduced by
s. A. Thompson, of Patrick, which seeks
10 amend the existing law so as to do
away with the provision requiring reg
strSrs 20 keep the books open on the sec
md Tuesday IN the month of May Of
Every other year The bill provides that
'ertafttr the books shall only be kept
open ten days before every election.
Mr.. Thompson explained that by doing
away with the registration in May the
State would save about 5000 year.
After some discussion the bill was
passed by until the next meeting.
That Fertilizer RiiI.
The Committee On Agriculture and Min
ns held It's FIRST meeting yesterday morn
ng In the onicc Of the Register Of the