Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-03-16
Some Important New Laws.

Among the important measures passed
by the legislature are the following:
The general road law of which Mr..
Edmondson is the patron.
The bill for the extension of the cor
porate limits of cities and towns, gen.
eral law on the subject, drawn by Sena'
tor George Wayne Anderson, was
passed at this session.
The bill offered jointly by Senators
Mann and Holt, the purpose Of which
is to terminate the fake social clubs
of the State. This law requires all
clubs hereafter chartered to procure
license to dispense liquors, just as other
firms or persons acquire 1t.
A bill which somewhat offset this
was that which relieves the violator OF
the law against Sunday selling nom
the jail penalty imposed by the statute
il amends. The law leaves the penalty
at a heavy fine and forfeiture OF license.
A large number of bills, affecting the
courts of the State and the procedure
therein, have been passed, many being
necessitated by the changed system OF
courts. The terms of the various courts
have been arranged and certain changes
made in them during the session. An
important law, relieving women who are
complainants in charges of criminal as
saut from the ordeal of examination
in public, and another providing for
change of venue in such cases are OF
greatest public importance and interest.
The dispensary system Of selling liquor
has been considerably extended, but
only in localities. Half dozen or more
additional dispensary bills have been
passed and in almost every case, where
the system has been tried, it has been
retained.
The general assembly increased the
appropriation for the care OF graves OF
Confederate dead in he cemeteries Of
the State, despite protest by some
members and the fact that the total ap-
preparation is growing steadily.
While a number of bills relating to
elections have been passed, few in any
way affecting the subject have been
passed.
Bills in relation to evidence of prepay
ment Of poll tax have been passed.
In addition to these large number OF
local bills of more or less interest have
been passed.
Among the noteworthy measures that
failed of passage are the following.
Bill for the treatment of INDECENT sick
at hospitals, two measures, one special
and the other general.
Bill! providing legalized general pri-
mary system for the State.
Bill to define the natural oyster rocks,
beds and shoals and to lease barren and
depleted area within the present Baylor
survey, popularity known as the oyster
bill
Bill providing for redistricting the
State for representatives in Congress.
Bill to require telephone lines to con-
meet and transmit messages from other
lines.
Bill to regulate standard of petroleum
or kerosene oil sold in this State.
Bill to establish system of county and
district high schools in the State.
Bill providing for the appointment by
the courts ofcommissioners oftherevenu(
who are now ineligible to succeed them
selves.
Bill proposing to reduce the rate G.
taxation on real and personal property
five cents on the 500 of valuation.
Bill making addiction to liquor anc
drugs cause for absolute divorce.
Bill for the extension of the State Ii
brary and the establishment of traTelinl
Libraries.
Bill proposing theI appropriation o
5000, 900 tor the maintenance OF the pub
lie schools of the State.
Bill proposing to sell sor lease the Med
ical College of Virginia.
Bill to establish an additional State fe
male normal school.
Bill to establish a uniform system o
accounting in the State offices.
Bill to relieve property from taxes du
prior to 1890.