The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-01-30
VIRGINIA LEGISLATIVE DoINGs.

favorably reported.
The House Committee on Courts has
agreed to report favorably Mr.. Jordan's
bill placing upon each city and county
the expenses of prosecuting misde-
meanor cases.
The bill looking to the holding of
constitutional convention comes up as a
special order for Friday 1t provides
for submitting the question to the
voters at the May election OF next
year
The testimony in the investigation Of
the Confederate Soldiers Home closed
Friday evening so far as the complain
ants are concerned Great interest is
felt in the report of the committee
which will be made soon.
The Senate Committee on Roads has
fixed upon Tuesday. February 9th, for
the consideration Of the Seaboard Air
Lines bill for road from Richmond
to Washington. There Will undoubt'
eddy be a big fight over the measure.
The Committee appointed to invite
Mr.. Bryan to address the members OF
the Legislature, has received reply
from Mr.. Bryan stating that he will be
in Richmond between the Sth and 10Th
of February the exact date Will be
named later
The House Committee on Roads has
ordered favorable report upon the bill
offered by Hon. S. wilkins Matthews,
Of Accomac, providing for separate &C.
cOmmodations for white and colored
passengers on steamboats, in Virginia.
1t is thought tn bill will pass both
houses.
The Senate Committee on General
Laws reported the following bills, with
the recommendation that they pass
Allowing fourth class postmasters
to act as notaries public and justices OF
the peace.
Prohibiting the enticing Of servants
from employers.
There is the strongest lobby at the
Capitol that has been there for years
| fighting against the Seaboard bill for
charter to run a road to Washington.
The lobby includes men Of prominence
in the State who are interested in be-
half Of the Richmond, Fredericksburg
and Potomac and Atlantic Coast Line
to defeat any competition.
In the Senate Mr.. Lupton offered the
following. which was adopted
Resolved, by the Senate, That the
Auditor Of Public Accounts be. and he
is, hereby requested to furnish the
Senate with statement showing the
amounts lost to the State. and the sew
eral counties and cities therein from
1884 by reason Of the failure or default
of officers having the collection. keep
ing or paying out of the revenues.
| INTRODUCED OR PLACED on CALENDAR.
Among the corporators named in a
bill to incorporate the Tidewater Trans
portation Company to operate ferries
between Norfolk and Newport News,
and Hampton, Old Point and Will
loughby Spit, is Judge j. W. q. Black
stone, Of Accomao.
A bill in relation to damages recov-
cradle Of telegraph company. 1t pro-
vides a penalty for the disclosure OF
Geographic messages. for failure to
promptly deliver them, or for mistakes
made in transmission, and makes grief
and mental anguish occasioned 20
the plaintiff q ground for suit
BY Senator Jeffries To allow H. o.
Wheatly, deputy treasurer OF Oulpeper
county. further time in which to coll
lect certain tax.bills.
By Senator Jeffries For the relief OF
Vue ebtdte VI ID. L. bOhB AAOHA wa
tain delinquent taxes. Also a bill for
the relief of John T. Upton, Oonfed-
crate soldier.
Senator Barksdsle introduced a reso.
luton sympathizing with the Beers
Mr. Fairfax says the General Assembly
had nothing to do with the war in the
Transvaal, and such resolution was
improper. He moved to refer the reso-
luton to the Committee on Privileges
and Elections. which was done.
By Mr.. Shelton: To repeal the land
grabbers act.
By the same For the relief OF Will
liam Hopkins.
By Mr.. Nottingham To prevent the
killing Of horses and mules.
A bill to give County Courts juris-
diction upon scire facias or motion to
revive Judgment rendered by justices of
the peace.
JURY vERDICTS.
The Senate Committee of Courts OF
Justice reported favorably Senator Clay
tors bill, abolishing unanimity OF jury
verdicts in civil cases. The bill pro.
vides that in all civil cases three-fourths
Of the jurors constituting the jury, or IL
the jury be composed of seven jurors,
five Of them, may render verdict and
such verdict shall have the same force
and effect Of unanimous verdict.
MARYLAND BOUNDARY DISPUTE.
Senator Walker introduced resolu-
ton looking to the settlement OF the
vexed ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS boundary
controversy, which was adopted. The
measure provides that as the true line
along the Potomac river and from Great
Falls to the mouth Of the river is un-
certain, q joint committee Of five shall