Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-12-22
THE LEGISLATURE.

charges are pending, and the Senate
in executive session confirmed the ap
pointments of superintendent of
public schools, which were passed by
some days ago. Senator Massie with
drew his objection 10 Messrs. Scott, of
Amherst, and Fitzpatrick of Nelson
and no fight was made on them.
SENATE.
Mr.. Withers introduced three com.
panion bills. These provide for a
most comprehensive and far reaching
supervision by the State of the affairs
of the railroads. The first creates q
commission, the second makes these
commissioners a board of assessors to
list and assess all railroad property; the
other one makes that body court of
record, to whom may be carried for ad-
Indication all matters embraced in the
act. The commission is to be composed
of three members, elected by the
legislature for term of six years.
The salaries OF tine members are
to be paid by the Commonwealth and
not the roads, as now provided. The
commission is given power to fix
freight and passenger rates. The long
and short haul are forbidden, except
under peculiar circumstances.
Senator Boykin asked to have the
committee on finance and banking dis
charged from further consideration of
House bill providing for the distribu-
ton of the balance of the direct tax
money, refunded to Virginia ny the
United States. Mr.. James asked if the
bill did not give the distributors addi-
tional compensation of FIVE per cent.
on the money remaining in their hands.
Mr.. Boykin said such was fact. Mr.
Mushbach said he looked upon this
scheme as an open-faced and bold grab.
He thought the commissioners had
been amply compensated by receiving
five per cent. of the entire amount
placed in their hands, and by the use
of the money, which has been III their
hands for more than FIVE years. Mr..
McElwine opposed the passage of this
bill. Mr.. Boykin denied that those
who were asking the passage of the
measure had any desire or purpose to
do any grabbing. Mr.. Mushbach said,
as be construed the bill, the CON-
missioners would be paid FIVE per
cent. for simply drawing their checks
in order to pay over to the counties and
cities the money remaining in their
hands. The motion to discharge the
committee from further consideration
! OF the measure was lost.
i The Senate passed the House bill
which gives delinquent stockholder
in joint stock Company the right OF
trial by jury, when sued by the cor
poration to recover judgment against
him for the amount for which he is de-
linquent, when such amount exceeds
500; such trial by jury to be had at the
home of the stakeholder, thus prevent
ing judgment against him in a chancery
| cause.
The Senate passed House resolution
requiring clerks Of courts to furnish the
Acknowledgement with copies of all
official bonds given by county, State,
and municipal officers, and Senate bill
to amend section 1872 of the code; when
capital not 10 be Withdrawn or divi-
dend made.
A resolution providing for the ap'
pointment of joint committee for the
purpose of investigating and reporting,
by bill or otherwise, upon all proposed
methods of efecting retrenchment in
State governmental expense, was
adopted.
Bills were introduced to repeal sec
ton 1919 of the code relating to gam
bling, and to amend and re-enact sec
ton GA of the code in relation to the
compensation Of county and city treas
urers. Placed on the calendar.
HOUSE.
As stated yesterday Mr.. Murphy iC-
PRODUCED bill providing for reestab-
fishing the whipping post for punish.
ment for petty larceny. The bill ex-
empts from it's operations men over
sixty years ofage. Women may elect
whether they shall be fogged or jailed
Guardians or parents of children under
fourteen may decide whether they will
be made subject to the law or be i'm
prisoned. These exemptions, Mr.. Muir
ply thinks, will relieve the whipping
post law of the odium which was at
tached to it when in operation in Vir-
GINA prior to 1881.
A resolution was introduced by Dr..
Winston to remove the Houdon marble
statue of Washington out of the corri-
dor of the Capitol and place it in the
new library building. This is one of the
most famous statues of Washington in
the world, and has been the subject OF
many interesting articles.
The Maynard bill, amending the law
with reference to tax on fertilizers,
was debated for on hour, and finally
ordered to its engrossment. The bill is
designed to encourage manufactures
and increase the States revenues from
this source. Pending the fate of this
measure, aresolution was adopted that
licenses shall be issued for next year
with the distinct understanding that
they may be increased.
Mr.. Featherstone has offered bill to
allow free and independent banking in
Virginia, subject only to the Limitation
| and acts of Congress, passed in pur-
suancs thereof. The preamble of the
bill recites that tie characterization Of
silver makes t frea banking necessary.
The joint resolution providing for the
appointment of special committee to
consider retrenchment in State ex-
penses was called up and unanimously
agreed to.
Mr.. Duke introduced bill, provid-
ing that the Governor may appoint
potaries for the various counties and