Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-31
WILL SAVE EXPENSE.
TYO Bills Passed That Will Reduce the
States Criminal Charges.
NO FEES FOR POLICE OFFICERS.
That Is, rs Witnesses in Cases I'm
Cities Where They Livc-Conyicts
to be brought to Penitentiary by
Guards Sent from That Institution.

The two bills reported by the Joint Le-
gislatlve Committee on Criminal Expenses,
one providing that no policeman shall re-
ceive witness fee for attending courts in
the city in which he is employed. and the
other requiring that convicts shall be de-
livered to the penitentary in the care Of a
guard of that institution. instead OF being
escorted by county sheriffs. have passed
both branches Of the General Assembly,
and are now only awaiting the signature
OF the Governor to become laws.
NO FEES FOR POLICEMEN.
The first OF these bills reads:
BE 1t enacted by the General Assembly
OF Virginia. That section 1884 Of the Code
OF Virginia be amended and re-enactod so
as to read rs follows:
Section 1854. For each days attendance
50 cents; provided, that no police officer
shall receive pay as a witness in any
case pending in the courts of his city.
And when compelled TO go out Of his
county to place OF trial, all necessary
ferriage and tolls. and for each mile of
travel in going and returning cents;
when he does not travel out of his county,
all necessary ferriage and tolls, and for
each mile of travel over ten in going and
returning, cents. All allowances Of wit
nesses summoned on account of the Com
monwealth shall be paid by the treasurer
of the county or corporation in which the
trial is had, and the amount so paid by
such treasurer shall be refunded TO him
out OF the State Treasury.
?. This act shall DO in force from its
passage
TRANSPORTATION OF CONVICTS.
The second, and perhaps more i'm
portant bill is I'm these words:
BE il enacted by the General Assembly
of Virginia, That every person sentenced
by court TO confinement in the peniten-
tiary shall, az soon as may be, be con-
veyed TO the penitentiary in the manner
hereinafter provided. The clerk of the
court i'm which the person is sentenced
shall forthwith transmit TO the Superin-
tendent of the Penitentiary copy of
the judgment, and If he fails to do he
shall forfeit $780, Upon receiving such
copy the Superintendent of the Peniten-
tiary shall dispatch a guard to the coun-
~ or corporation with a warrant di-
rected to the Sheriff authorizing him to
deliver the convict, whose duty il shall
be TO take charge OF the said person
and convey him 10 the penitentiary. If,
because Of the number OF persons TO be
conveyed 10 the penitentiary, or because
there Is reason TO apprehend an attempt
to rescue, the Superintendent shall deem
IL necessary. he may dispatch more than
one guard, and make provision for the
employment by the guard Of persons 10
assist him in the performance OF his
duty. The Superintendent shall be en-
titled to receive from the Auditor OF
Public Accounts such certificates OF trans
portat.on as he may require i'm executing
the provisions OF this act and other ex-
penses incurred by him in the execution
thereof he shall pay, the same TO be
allowed him In the settlements of his
accounts: provided. that the Superin-
tendent may in any proper case require
the Sheriff Of any county Or the Sergeant
OF any corporation 20 deliver such con-
vict at railway starion designated by
the superintendent, - be there delivered
TO his authorized agent, and for such SER
vices the court of sucn county or cor
poration shall allow the said Sheriff
reasonable compensation ID be paid out
of the public treasury.
2. Sections 1865. 1855 1867 1865. 469. and
1910 Of the Code OF Virginia be, and the
same are now, repealed
3. This act shall be in force from its
passage.
In the discussion OF this latter biz on
the floor Of the Senate, Mr.. Withers,
chairman OF the committee that PREPARED
It. said its enactment into law would
save the State at least s. mo per annum.
The transportation Of conv'cts costs about
$1,000 a year.