Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-03-31
TaIE LEGISLATURES.
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.


FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.
RICHMOND, MARcH IS.
On Monday, the Business 10. both
houses vas Of m important character,
and called forth much debate. In the
Senate. the judiciary bill was the main
topic of disc ussion, the committee hsv-
ing reported. us to ~ in favor Of hsv-
ing bot one Judge to each circuit. Va.
rious propositions to ill the blank, were
made. With IL, Is, 10, and 20 circuits.
In the Hossse, after the passage Of ten
bills, (a'ooDgst them, one directing the
survey Of tire Shenandoah Valley, dur
lug the Peesent year, the Staunton and
Potomac Rail Road bill was taken up.
The Senate hsd stricken out the goth
section of the bill, giving the comps-
ny the privilege to extend the road to
the Kanawha or Ohio, and Mr.. Sum.
mers had, on . preceding day, moved
an amendment in lieu Of the Seuate's
amendment, proposing the extension,
but securing to the State the privilege
Of doing the work herself at any time.
This, however, Mr.. 8. withdrew, To
let Mr.. Williams Of Shenandoah Offer
one rather more carefully guarding the
privilege to the State. Hcreupsn,
much debate arose, the James River in.
terest exhibiting great concern. lest the
grand project Of connecting the Eas-
tern and Western Waters, (which they
have been accomplishing in their
dreams for many years,) should b..
snatched from the hapds Of the Old
Commonwealth. On the other side, il
was coOtended, that il was unjust and
oppressive, nay, tyrannical in the ex-
tre'ne, to deny TO the people Of any
section Of tho state, the privilege Of
making improvements with their own
funds, and Of trading to any market
they pleased. The amendment, how.
ever. failed by 4 vote Of So to 58-.c.
yerai Western members voting against
IL, and several being absent. Thus it
Is, that the detection Of the w est, and
the Jealousy Of the East, cause every
thing to bow to the great commercial
Iugycrnaut, the James River.
On Tuesday, the Senate receded
from its state riga amendments to The
Rail Road bills.
In the House, after the disposal Of
some local business, the bill regulating
the tolls upon Mayo's and 'rrent's
bridges, (across James River at Rich.
mond.) WAS taken up, debated, aud
passed. The bill regulating the fees
Of clerks, was also discussed at some
length. and passed. Aud the bill re-
gula,ing the seniority IF justices Of the
peace, was considered, and indie fiuitely
postponed. So you will see, that but
little progress was made as to the mass
ct business upon the table.
To-day, (bed,aesday, was spent al
mostas unprofitabiy as yesterday. Two
subjects occupied the greater part Of
the sitting. After agreeing to various
amendments Of the Senate to local
bills. the bill creating q new county
out OF parts Of Rockingham and She
nandoah, was passed. It was opposed
by Mr.. Nc Mahon Of Rockingha,n. and
Mr.. Williams of Shena ndoah; and
was supported by Mr.. Lewis Of Rock.
sngham, and MIR. Harris IF Sh-na ndosh.
II IS composed Of that part Of Shenan-
doah known by the name Of the Mas
eanutten Valley, and q portion Of
Rockingham within the same valley.
Al che instance Of Mr.. Bayiy Of Acco-
mack, il was called Poge, in honor Of
one OF the early governors Of Virginia.
The name Of Raleigh was also suggest
cd, but the first was adopted. The
Indian characteristic ought to have
been retained. and the name Of Massa.
nuffen should have been given 10 il, as
well to keep up the recollsc ton Of The
Ill lated red men who once trampled
that fertile valley, as because there is
something Harmonious and pleasant in
the sound.
The bill concerning the fees Of pilots.
Tor :" sea scagoasrs." as Mr.. MAXWELL
oi Norfolk called them, by way Of rem.
dering the subject familiar to the
,nounta'neers,) occupied about three
hours IN debate, between Mr.. Jones.
Mr.. Maxwell, MIR. Rutherford, and
MIR. mcfarland. The only result Of
all the discussion seemed to be, 10 nj
f'f the house into stream Of uncer
talAty, and almost into a sea Of bew,I.
derment Mr.. MaxwelI's wit ALWAYS
teemingj served, however, 10 enliysn
the sitting, and to render somewhat
,o'era5ie theme upon which che
" land iubbeTs" could dwell with but
little interest.
The bill concerning the Court Of
Appeals, providing Tor session over
the moontains,) was read . Esst add
second time, and committed.