Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-02-12
THE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.

was the tight for the right 10 close the
debate on the employers liability bill.
Mr. Maynard, chairman of the COM
mittee that reported the bill adversely,
claimed for that body the right to have
last say, while Mr.. McIlwaine, as the
patron of the substitute, held that he
should close. The President took Mr..
Maynard's view and was sustained by
the Senate when Mr.. McIlwaine ap-
pesled. The debate on the bill lasted
until adjournment.
The Senate passed House bill amend
ing the law so as 10 provide for the
more efiectusl listing of notes and
bonds.
The Sennte committee on general
laws, by vote OF 6 to , lisi night, de-
cided to report unfavolably the House
bill prohibiting insurance companies
combining to put up rate'.
The committees on privileges and
elections of the House and Senate will
hold joint session in the Senate cham
Der Tuesday night. for the purpose of
receiving recommendations for appoint
ments to electoral boards.
There was a motion made in the
Senate to reconsider the vote by which
the bill providing for enlarging the
penitentiary was engrossed and by
agreement this motion was passed by.
1t is generally understood that the
vote will be reconsidered and that
The bill will be amended so as to
have the additional buildings erect
ed under the supervision of a board
OF building commissioners to be COM
posed OF the Governor, the two audit
ors and the treasurer. 1t is possible
also that the appropriation will be cut
down to $4,000.
HOUSE.
The House refused to engross the re-
trenchment committees bill providing
that in misdemeanor cases officers fail
ing to collect their fees from either the
prosecution or defense shall only receive
one-half the fees out of the treasury.
The bill was defeated by vote of Al to
IS and motion to reconsider was pass
ed by.
A companion bill and all the other
retrencbment measures, including the
bills to reduce the salaries of the clerk
of the Senate and House and relat.
ing to the salaries of county super
iutendents of schools, went over, most
of them until next Tuesday. TIE House
also re fused to pass two Of the Senete's
reform bills with reference to County
Courts. One of these bills provided
that County Courts should have con-
current jurisdiction with Circuit Courts
in civil cases involving not more than
$500 and the other that civil cases
should not be considered in County
Courts except at quarterly terms unless
ten days notice be given. Messrs.
Parks, Saunders and Pitcher vigorously
opposed the bills, which, they said,
would cause many of the best county
judges to resign rather than be debar-
red from practiciDg in Circuit Courts
and increase the costs of the County
Courts. Mr.. Diggs advocated the bills,
but they were dismissed.
Hereafter all executions in Virginia
may be required to take place in the
penitentiary. This question has been
discussed for some time during this
session. The House committee for
courts Of justice yesterday morning re-
sumed consideration of this matter. Mr..
Mann, of Holloway, on behalf of SUBJ
committee appointed for that purpose,
presente three companion bills, one OF
which provides that the guards of the
penitentiary shall be sent after those
who have been sentenced to death; the
second bill sets forth that the superiI-
tendent of the penitentiary shall be
the officer who has to execute the death
penalty, and the third bill provides that
u place shall BIZ fixed for the hanging
within the grounds of the penitenliary
and who shall be present at the exc
cution.
The bill to amend section 1862 of the
code amending the "ffty-dollar exemp-
ton law" or the wages of household
or exempt from garnishment, caused
some little discussion and was finally
defeated. and substitute, giving the
householder the right to waive his ex-
emption so as to secure credit for him
self and family, was adopted.
The House fixed for next Tuesday
the consideration OF Judge Watkins
bill to allow State banks to issue
bank notes. In explaining it yester-
day, its patron said it provides
that State banks may issue bank
notes, redeemable in silver bullion.
Judge Watkins said the bill would |
pass without any trouble. 1t was free
silver bill snd gave local currency,
which was very much needed, and |
avoided the United Safes 10 per cent.
tax.
The biggest leak in expenditures is
the criminal expense of the State, and |
every attempt to reduce them is met |
with powerful political opposition.
Next Tuesday is the day set for action
on most of these measures, and that day
will fairly well determine if any ma
terial reductions will be made.
Mr.. Mann introduced bill to make
it misdemeanor for persons to board
trains for the purpose of stealing ride.
The House passed bill to validate
contracts made with county courts or
superiors by which law officers are
maintained on county property.
The House bill relating to the license
70 agents for the sale of fertilizers, was
then taken up out of it's regular order
and dismissed.
Bills were introduced to repeal sec.
ton 13 of an act to incorporate the
town of Colonial Beach, in the county
of Westmoreland; generating q lot
with house thereon for the taxes of