Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-03-20

HE COMMISSIONERS OF VALUATION
BILL.-A writ of hsb,s corpus was
granted by the Court OF Appeals, in
Richmond, ye terday, in the case OF
MIR. w. FrsaS Lambert, assistant
cashier of the Citizens' National Bank,
OF TINS city, who was arrested Sat-
urday for refusing to answer questions
propounded by the Commissioner of
Valuation. This, ss heretofore stated,
is a move to test the constitutionality
OF the law, and Attorney General Mon
tague will appear for the common
wealth. The contention of Col. F. L.
Smith and Mr.. A. w. Armstrong, coun.
sci for Mr.. Lambert, is that the law is
unconstitutional, 10 that the journal
of the Senate does not show that it
was passed by recorded vote. CITY
Sergeant Smith today received the writ
from Clerk Taylor, of the Court OF Ap-
Desls, directing him to bring Mr.. Lam.
b 'rt before that court 10 Richmond to-
morrow morning at IL O'Clock. Ser.
geant Smith, with Mr.. Lambert and his
counsel. Col. Smith and Mr.. Armstrong,
will | ave here tonight for Richmond.
A,onference of prominent financial men was
held In Richmond yesterday and steps were
taken to fight the Go Y missioner Of Valua-
ton act Ia the courts. An application for
writ of prohibition was later filed in the
clerks office Of the Court Of Appeals, inside re-
turnable next Thursday. The petitioners ask
that Mr.. Il. V. Msrye who has been appoint
ed commissioner Of valuation OF personal
property and incomes for Richmond, be not
allowed to qualify before thu Hastings Court
of Richmond. The counsel for tho plaintiffs
said that the grounds for the action were
that the law was not only unconstitutional
by re ,son OF the fact that no recorded vote
was shown, but that the law usurps tire duties
and power, of the commissioners Of revenue
OF the State.
There are now three cases before the Court
OF Appeals involving the .lidity OF the law
creating the commits ioners of vauatiol-the
Newptrt News case, the Alexandra case and
the case against Mr. Msrye. The Newnor
News application to restrain the clerk
Of the House and the State Printer from
promu]gsling the new LAWS returnabe to.
day, while the application for writ OF habeas
corpus in the Alexandra case is set for TO-
morrow, and tho marSe case is scheduled 10
DO called on Thursdsy. A tOrney Genera
Montague will appear for the Common We altb
in q / Of these cases.
The Richmond Dispatch says: The Parks
law is ono of peculiar hardship to the Alex
andria banks. That city is so near to Wssh-
ingt0n many business mems accounts may be !
very readily transferred there. hathsr THAI
hsve their accounts posed iLto by so-called
con missioner Of valuation, Il great msny dc
posters would do their banking business in
Washington.
1t may be question whether the
application for mandamus in the
Newport News case, or that for a writ |
OF prohibition 20 prevent the judge OF
the Hastings Court of Richmond from
allowing the commissioner of valuation
OF that city to qualify, may successfully
raise the question at j'sue. 1t would
-eem that the case from Alexandria
fairly presents to the court the quef-
ton of the validity of the Parks bill
and that the determination O. the ques-
ton may eventually depend upon the
decision OF the case going from this city.