Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1832-03-22
THE I1EGIsLATURE.
RICHMOND, MARCH ".


The session has already been spsn
sai week longer than the lime ssg.
xested In my former letter; asd uasa
of laws have been piled spon the sta.
tute boek eqsal in nUnbsr 70 these q
the last sessseo.
Among the bills passed On Monday,
was ooe, aSthorising the Governor. st
HE discretion, to distribute the public
ssms, and TO procure on behalf Of the
Co@0euwealth certain military equip
ments. The most important busiaess
Of the day, however, WAS the action Of
the house upon the James River bill.
After . variety Of amendments y ere
adopted, Mr.. Berry moved . clause.
asthorising the Staunton aud Potomac
Rail Road Company to :ntersect the
above improvement. either in Rock
bridge or AilegAny. This amendment
was earnestly and ably supported by
Mr.. Berry, Mr.. McCue, and Mr.
Brooke, and opposed BY Mr.. Cabeii Of
Nelson-and was Loaf; ayes a., noes
63. The bill WAS then ordered to be
engrossed. This bill puts 10 the States
improvements upon James River At
one million of dollars. The whole
capital, Eve millions-to be taken Nv
private subscription, (if possible;) IF
only three.6iths can be raised. then
the state to make up the remainder.
On Tuesday, this bill passed--ayes
IS, noes 81. The Senate has since
copcurrej IN il. without amendment
The house also sgreed to the amend
ments Of the Senate TO the police bill.
Bile upon their 6rst and second read.
iogs, were taken up, and the remain.
der Of the day spent in their consider.
alton. Mr.. Chandler announced the
death Of jeremiah s. Land, the dele
gate from Princess Anne; and the
house, after adopting the usual testi-
moniais, adjourned.
The Senate passed the bill authoriz-
ing . subscription to the stock Of the
Winchester and Potomac Rail Road
Company, (S75,OOO.) So that this
company have nov . strong induce
ment to vigorous prosecution Of their
enterpr,Ie.
On Wednesdoy, bill concerning
the duties Of school commissioners,
vas discussed and reiected--5a to 66.
The bill appropriatink the revenue Of
the counties on the Ohio river. for the
purpose Of aiding the repair Of roads
and bridges destroyed By the late CO
lamitous freshet, cas- recsnsidered,
debated. and passed, by . vote Of 20
to 50.
A bill providing for the appointment
Of electors Of President and Vice Pre-.
sident. occupied much Of the day, in Q
debate upon Al amendment Of the Sc
nate. This amendment proposed to
strike ont the clause which required
the voter 70 write upon HE ticket the
names Of the persons for whom he
wished his suGrages given The Se-
mates amendment was 90 amended. as
to leave it optional with the voter whe.
Their to signify his preference or not.
The Senate rejected the bill form
ing new county out Of parts Of Ere.
derrick and Shenandoah.
On 7hursdGy, the house agreed to
the amendments Of the Senate to the
police bill. The Senate having disa-
greed to the amendment Of the house
to the electoral bill (above motto ed.
another animated debate took place
upon il. Messrs. Gholson, Witehrr.
Goode, Moore, Powell, sad Newton,
urged that the object seemed to be, to
suppress public sentiment, by adopting
the Senate's amendment, and that il
was leaving too much to the managers
of party. Messrs. Carter. Of Prince
William. Brown, Boiling, Jones, and
Bryce Of Frederick, took the opposite
aide, and contended that the voters
already enjoy ed the privilege proposed
in the amend @ent. and would exercise
IL IL they thought proper. In this de.
bate, there was . coed deal Of sharp
shooting. The house adhered 10 its
amendment.
Near the close Of the sitting, a mes.
sage was received from the Senate,
stating that they ADHERED to their dis
agreement to the amendment Of the
house. The bill consequently was
lost.
On Friday, the same bill was intro
duesd, by leave, emitting the debate
able clause, and wss passed by both
houses. II provides for the election,
by general ticket. Of &c electors, Tone
for each congregational district aud IL,
under the new apportioDment,s Virgins
should be entitled to = greater or less
member, the legislature is to increase
or diminish.
The amendments Of the Senate, to
the clerks fee bill. reducing some Of
the items in the bill a. il passed the
house, were cODcurred IN,
The bill suthOrizinK . subscription
of 5000 shares $500. OO0.) n the
Chesapeake snd Ohio Canal Company,
was read the third time, end rejected
ayes 81, noes b0.