Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-03-17
THE LEGISLATURE.
FROM Our CORRESPONDENT.
RICHMOND, MARCH Q.

RfcHMoND, MARCH q.
On Monday, from fifteen to twenty
bills received their second reading. and
we're ordered Ia be engrossed--amongst
them, the bill amending the act Of in
corporation Of the Smithfield. Charles
town. and Harpers. Ferry Turnpik.
Company. The amendments of the
Senate, TO the bill concerning free ne.
sro~s and mulattoes, occupied some
time, and were disagreed to by the
house, except the last one, which fixed
the commencement Of the act. a mo-
ton to postpone the whole subject in
definitely. failed.
The bill fixing the tenure Of the Of
fees Of clerks, and regulating their ap
pointment, was passed. The provisions
Of this act rcquire-that an order shall
be made at the May term Of the seve-
raj county courts, To summon the ina
gistrates To attend the June term. for
the purpose Of appointing clerks. The
service to commence on the 18th Of
July.
The bills authorizing subscriptions
to the stock Of the Berryvillc Turn.
pike Company. and Of the Middle
Turnpike Company, (the latter leading
from Drane's tavern TO Alexandria,
were passed.
The balance Of the day was spent in
considering the bill concerning jury
men. 1t proposed TO summon them
not less than three nor more than frrn-
ty days before each court, and tn allow
them pay for their services. After con-
siderable debate. q substitute, ofFe, ed
by MIR. Claiborne, Of Greens,illr.
merely giving county courts the same
power as superior courts. in summon.
ing Jurors was adopted. by q vote Of
So To Al. So the project Of paying ia.
rors IL lost. The chief ground of op-
position. Was the amount Of the fund
which would be necessary for that pur
pose.
On Tuesday, number Of bills re-
ceived their first and second readings.
The greater part Of the day was spent
IN committee Of the whole. upon a bill
regulating the fees of clerks. The re-
duction proposed, is equal to about 40
per cent.
MIR. Leigh. from the committee OF
courts OF justice, (which sat during the
session OF the house. returned the bill
establishing the Courts Of the Common
ncdiih. with sundry amendments.
! The Senate was occupied the whole
day, in debate upon the Staunton and
Potomac Rail Road bill A motion
was pending, to strike out the section
which gives the company power TO ex-
tend the work to the Kanaw ha and IN
amendment Is also on the table, prohi
biting the commissioners from rcceiy.
ing subscriptions from the general no
Uernmenf. wonder some one did moi
also propose TO prevent the Grand
Turk from embarking his funds in the
enterprise-the one being about as pro.
bable an event as the other.
To day, (Hednesday.) an hour was
spent in reading bills in their incipient
state. and in receiving reports. A re.
solution was passed, granting leave 10
bring in a bill. allowing the Governor
pay Tor his extra services, as Presiden,
"f The James River Company. &c. The
judiciary bill was resumed. and the Sc
I w tut Otumittce a
greed to. MIR. Claiborne moved TO fill
the blank in the bill with the word ten.
80 as 10 have that number of circuits.
Upon this motion. considerable debate
took place. between Mr.. Claiborne.
! MIR. Morris, MIR. Leigh. and MIR.
Goode. Mr.. Leigh, in obedience TO
the instruction of the committee, pro.
posed fUeire, which was carried, ayes
i78, noes SO.
a new arrangement Of the circuits
was proposed bv the committeeman.
however. without a free consultation
with members generally, so that no in l..
convenience might arise TO the gentle
men OF the bar, practising in different
courts. or to the people. The follow
ing - the arrangement Of the circuit to
which Jefferson IL attached, and the
periods OF holding the courts, viz:
In I'ondoun ist April. LIST September,
Jefferson 18th Z" 18th =.
Berkeley 2sth 90 2sth
Morgan e'h Nav, 9th October.
Hampshire Iiih - ffth
Hardy 2Ia 2Ia
Shen'doah Sl~t ala
Frederick Ip8h I,... ta,A