Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-20
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE oP'DEI.EGaTEs.

VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
TUESDAY, Feb. II, 1924.
On motion of Mr.. Everett, the House resolved to
meet in future mt ten instead of eteren o'clock.
The bill more Z" effectually to prevent the circu-
latiou OF counterfeit Bank notes,'-was taken up.
Mir. Carter Of Hichmond County, who had reported
the bill, gave exposition of its provisions, and
the necessity which called for the passage of such
Il law---Thc clause of the bill, providing punish.
mcnt for any person. found in possession of ''coun
te.ict Bank pepcr," without lawful excuse the
proof whereof shall lie on the party accused, excited
much discussion and reprobated by Mesers.
NORRIS OF Gloucester, Maxwell and Booker-whc
contcnded that this was provision which in its
peraton, might render the most innocent and cor
rect Individuals obnoxious to the penalties of the
law-Thc bill was defended by Messrs. Carter of
Richmond County, and Mason of Southampton, but
was finally rejected, ayes 54-noes go.
The bill To prevent private lotteries, the sale OF
disposition in this State, of tickets in Lotteries
authorized by law, and the insurance of the same,
passed by ayes and noes, sub silentio ayes Oh
noes &c.
The Till providing summary remedy against
constahlcs and their securities, empowering single
justices to give Judgment against them on ten day
notice with damageS) was taken up and passed
Mr. Raymond opposed it, on the ground that it con-
fidcd too great power to single magistrates.
The bill extending compensation to Messrs. VIM.
Ragsdale and Edmund Winn, of Lunenburg, for
services performed by them in locating road from
Tayors ferry on the Roanoke, to the town of Man
chester, was called up by Mr.. Mcfarland. TWAS
supported by Messrs. Mcfarland, Harvie of Rich
mond, and Dfomgooe, opposed by MIR. Garland
and rejected.
The bill to amend the act, regulating the solem-
nfzation of marriages was postponed on motion OF
Mr.. Ladley indefinitely.
| WEDNESDAY,, Feb. ia communication was
read from the Senate, stating the passage through
that body Of an act for allowing Richard Young
and Henry Woodcock, further time to discharge a
debt due to the Commonwealth-and act for O.
pening road from the line dividing Virginia and
Kentucky, on the Louisa fork of Sandy River.
I On motion of Mr.. Chiffon the engrossed bill, " for
limitation of actions, for preventing frivolous and
vexatous suits, concerning eofails and certain pro-
ceedings III civil cases was taken up,
! Mr.. Chiffon enforced the provisions of this bill.
He enlarged upon the mperfections of the present
law, in entrapping ignorant persons who enter
themselves appearance bail in civil cases-they are
frequently compelled to pay the debt, without any
| q,tid pro quo.
Mr.. Taylor and MIR. Winston, whilst they ac-
knowlcdged the imperfection and hardship of the
present law, doubted whether the remedies proposed
by the bill in its present imperfect shape, would
prove adequate to remove the mischief
MIR. Blackburn said he was unwilling to enter at
this hour of the session into bill ofhs Importance
He could not see the bearing and effect of this bill
upon the established practice of this country. 1t
might have consequence, which were neither in
| tended or foreseen. He admitted that there were
evils in the present law, but he thought it better to
| submit to them, than by suddenly and inconsder-
atciy changing the practice, introduce and still
| greater pischicfs.
| Mir. Chiffon replied to the gentlemen from Bote-
tourt, louisa and Bath, and defended the bill from
the charges of imperfection and obscurity made a
/ n
The question being put, i; was carried in the
! gative.
| Mr.. Harvie moved that when tina House adjourn
cd to-day, it adjourn TO meet at ! o'clock to-mor-
row, on the ground that the committees if the House
met at 10 O'Clock, had not time to discharge their
| duties.
Mr. Wilcher opposed the motion-Mr. Davis of
| Orange, called for the ayes and noes
| Mr.. Blackburn hoped that the House would a
dopt tile motion, and consent for few DAYS longer,
| TO postpone the hour ofmeeting to 1 o'cock.-The
| motion carried in the negative ayes 55-noes
| %.
| .Nr. Randolph from tho Pcnitentiary Committee,
| reported bill to = amend the several laws con-
corning the Penitcntiary Institution. Authorising
the repair of the buildings from the damages of the
late fire, making some additional improvements--as
! for hospital, sleeping apartments, &C."
This bill is made the order of the day for Satur-
day next, and $50 copies Of it, ordered be prin
| ted.
The bill concerning Z" Justices Of the peace resi-
ding i'll the town of Leesbnrg, and County of Lou
con" was read third time and passed
The House then resolved itself into committee of
the whole Oh the state of the Commonwealth, Mr..
Loyal in the chair, on the improvement loan bill.
Mr. Garland very fcelingly depicted the various
moral and political considerations connected with
the fate fths bill. He said that he considered it
emphatically. question of life and death 20
Virginia. II this bill passed and the Legislature
| determined to prosecute with renewed ardor the
great plan OF Internal improvement, Inc hoped every
thing from it, to the future prosperity aud glory of
| Virginia. That she would be arrested in her re-
| troggading progress-reStored to her pre-eminent
station among the states Of the Union, and realise
all that wealth, population had moral strength,
which the liberal advantages that nature had given
her, fully authorised her to expect On the con-
trary, should the Legislature determine to abandon
it, all tho fairbopes ofthc country, and oftbe friends
Of Virginia, would receive a chilling and nortify-
ing disappointment-Virg would be destined to
continue in the downward path upon which she had
entered, and Virginanswoud witness the notifying
and daily recurring spectacle, Of states super
cedDg their native state in her previous rank in the
! Union.
| Mr.. G, replied to the objections made the other
day in debate by Mr.. Yancty and MIR. Winston.
regretted that the former gentleman had secede
from the ranks Of the friends Of Internal Inprov