Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-02-03
THE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.

! yesterday over the bill appropriatlng
I $500 to erect new cells aud other
neces ary buildings at the penitentiary.
The debate developed the crowded
condition of the cells. 1t is proposed
| to erect new and modern constructed
cells. The labor organizations are
making determined fight against the
employment of convict labor in the
construction of the new buildings.
Senator Flood made a vigorous oppo.
sition to the bill, claiming it could be
erected for much less than the sum pro
posed. The matter went over.
The Lecato Senate bill creating q
fishery commission of FIVE charged with
the management of the whole oyster
and other fish interests, was returned
10 the Senate with the House amend
menrs. These are not material and
will be promptly concurred in.
A bill was introduced by Mr.. Flana
gan to provide for the maintenance
and education of the colored deaf,
dumb and blind of Virginia. The act
requires the board of visitors of the
Virginia Normal and Collegiate Insti-
tute to set apart $500 of the States
appropriation to that Institution, to be
used in providing for the education in
that institution of the colored deaf,
dumb or blind.
| There was discussion over Mr.. Kee-
zel's resolution to so amend the constitu-
tion as to abolish the spring elections
md consolide them with the November
elections. Mr.. Keezel emphasized the
fact that the people have grown weary
of so many elections. The resolution
was fiually passed by till next Tuesday,
along with the Lecato amendment,
making the payment of poll TAX pre-
requisite to vote.
Mr.. Cooke offered q resolution to so
amend the constitution as to reduce
the membership of the Senate to thirty,
and that of the House at from 65 to rs
The bodies now have 40 and 100 mem
bers respectively.
Bills we're introduced to amend Sec
tion 3O0l of the code with regard to ir-
Identifying bonds; to permit dentists
to practice their profession upon cerlif-
Gates from the dental board, whether
graduates of a dental college or not (;
to amend section 1861 of the code
in relation to shooting in or along
a road or street; to provide for the pay
ment of allowances made by the circuit,
county, and corporation courts, or the
judges thereof, for suitable furniture
and other equipments for their respec-
tive clerks offices; to restore the low
prohibiting the taking of oysters on
Sunday, and from one hour after sunset
10 one hour before sunrise.
!. The Senate passed House bills for
! the preservation of game 10 King
George and Stafford counties; TO amend
section 149 of the code in reference to
pay Of judges of election, so far as it re-
lales to Fauquier county.
The bill to amend the act providing
for the settlements of the debt of Viz
GINA was ordered to its engrossment.
Mr.. Wickham explained that the OBJ
ject of the bill was to provide that the
tax payer who has used coupons in an
attempt to deprive the State of it's reve.
nues shall be liable to pay interest for
the State of the tender of the coupons
to the date of the payment OF the judg.
ment of which has been or will be re-
covered BY the State against such tax
payer so using such coupons when he
has not kept tt e tender good.
The Senate joint resolution making
the payment OF the capitation tax pre-.
requisite of voting was made the
special order for 1:3O o'clock next
Tuesday.
HOUSE.
The House passed the bill that re-
quires the railroads to fence in their
roadbeds or pay for all live stock killed
or injured by them. Mr.. Pitcher, of
Fauquier, offered an amendment which
Mr.. Saunders accepted, providing that
no court shall have jurisdiction by writ
Of mandamus to compel the companies
to erect fences and cattle guards. The
effect of this would be to make the COM
pany liable for all stock killed.
The House also passed the bill that
creates board of appraisers, whose
duty is to value and assess for taxation
the property and business of all tele-
phone, telegraph and express companies
doing business in Virginia. This board
is also required to define what COM
prises these companies for the purposes
named.
The House, by close vote, refused
to engross the bill forbidding persons
from making preferences in making an
assignment. This bill was urgently
advocated by the wholesale men.
The House ordered TO its engross-
ment the Watkins anti-6irting bill.
This is substantially the ordinance of
the city of Richmond on the same sub
ject.
Mr.. Saunders introduced bill which
divides contempts of court into two
classes-direct and indirect contempts
defining with percision direct con-
tempt and declaring all others to be
indirect contempt. The person charg-
ed with this offence may be brought be
fore the court and statement
of the alleged facts made and
submitted. The accused must an.
swer charges in specified time.
The rules governing the trial OF
the accused are to be those OBJ
served in criminal cases. The bill in
effect is substantially that introduced
in the United States Senate by Hon.
David B. Hill, of New York, several
years ago. The bill is designed to
break up the sweeping ipjunctions 30
frequent in this State of late and to
prevent government by Injunction in
Virginia.
A bill was introduced to incorporate
the Mineral Belt Railway and Tram