Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-01-30
The Legislature.


ANhattt OAaNolt yCotCaAAy AhR~NNN~N
10 the Senate, by request, q bill to de-
foe the duties and powers of the Board
of Agriculture and immigration, 90 IS to
prescribe the duties and powers of the
Board and the Commissioner
The Senste passed to engrossment the
bin amending the State convict road law
to include jail birds In cities, counties
and towns. The amendments proposed
were adopted, with the pfoviso that APP
plication to use these misdemeanor con-
victs for local work 10 the Counties, cities
and towns Of their conviction shall be
made to the Judge Of the Circuit or Cor
porstion Court, for his approval. Pris-
oners in Jail pending appeal, and those
awaiting trial are excepted from road
work.
Governor Swanson submitted to the
Senate communication informing that
body of the appointment of james B.
Doherty, of Richmond, Commissioners
of Labor sud Statistics for term OF two
yesrs.
hOV0h
With only two dissenting voices, the
House passed the bill, which provides
that whenever, in prosecution for felo-
Nous homicide or for assault with felo-
oious intent, the accused has been per-
mitted to introduce evidence tending to
show that be believed wrong to have
bsen committed upon some members of
his family, or one occupying such rela.
lion, whether the same be offered in sup
port of The defense Of Insanity, or as SD
evidence OF al exienusting circumstance,
it shall be lawful for the common geslth
to introduce evidence as to the falslty or
Truth of the existence Of such wrong.
The bill prohibiting the playing
OF football games IN the State upon
penalty OF heavy fine wss reported ad-
venely yesterday from the committee ON
general laws.
A resolution was introduced by Mr..
Houston, urging the members OF Con-
eress from Virginia to press the measure
GOV pending before Congress which pro-
yides for the establishment Of fortress
in the "Middle Grounds" midway be-
tween Capes Charles and Henry, at al
expense Of 10000, 900.
The special legislative comri'tee
which was appointed at the last Gen raj
assembly to investigate the cost of school
books in Virginia, submitted it's report.
After setting forth the resolution un-
der which it acted, the committee an
swered the following inquiry:
'fIs the price Of school books required
to be used in the public schools of Vir-
GINA higher than in any other State,
and if 80, wig"
"Your committee has abundant evil
dence before II that prices Of school
books In Virginia are higher, with S
very few exceptions, than the prices OF
similar books In the other States of the
Uniou."
Then 1t gives comparative table Of
prices which shows the percentage Of
Virginia's disadvantage.
The House has passed the following
bills:
Prescribing the punishment for alb
Quoting, kidnapping or unlaWfully aiding
in the escape Of the inmates Ct the
public hospitals Of this State.
To authorize any railroad company,
with the consent of the State Cor
poration Commission, to construct,
purchase or take a lease of any
railroad not exceeding twenty-five miles
in length which will furnish cutoff or
connecting lins for more efficient and
economical transportation Of traffic.
To require officers collecting taxes
to furnish dated tax tickle. or receipt
therefore, and providing punishment for
failure so 10 do.
To accept the certain grants of money
as made by the Congress Of the United
States, March 16, 1906, as appropria-
lions for the use Of the agricultural ex-
pertinent stations of the several States
aud Territories OF the United States.
A resolution was introduced by Dir.
Houston, which urges the members of
Congress from Virginia to press the
measure now pending before Congress
which provides for the establishment OF
a fortress in the"middle grounds" mid
way between Capes Charles and Henry,
at an expenditure Of $40, 000, 900. Half
of this amount is needed for the estab-
lishment Of the base OF the fortress aud
the remainder for the fertilization and
equipment OF the fort.