Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1832-01-19
THE LEGISLATURE.
IRON our C0RREsPo.N:DE.A-E
RICHMOND. JAN. !

~ e"StossVos svs tuS teStWccks WIN inc
proceedings Of the Select Committee
upon the subject Of the coloured popu-
lation Of the Commonwealth. For the
porpossof allowing that and other com.
mittees time 20 mature business, the
house does not meet Until o'clock,
each day. In these Committees, the
great bulk Of the business 10 actually
done, unseen by the public eye; and
It rarely happens that the measures of
= committee are defeated in the house.
Amendments are often made in the
hall, Sut the main principles are first
determined in the rooms. None but
member Of the committees are allow.
ed TO vote on propositions; but any
gentleman who moves an inquiry, 10
allowed, and indeed solicited, to give
his views thereupon. fully and freely.
The committee above named, 10 now
the point Of attraction to all who are
not specially engaged 10 some other in
quiry. They have decided against
paying the owners Of slaves nut 10
death in the Southampton insurrection
without form Of law. In few days,
we may expect report upon the whole
subject. II has been decided by the
committee, that there shall he an an.
nual appropriation for the removal IF
free persons Of color, beyond the limits
Ut the commonwealth.
In the house, on Monday, after the
adoption of some resolutions Of inoui-
~, and the passage Of q number of To-
cal Bills, the election Of sundry officers
was made.
Lawson Burfoot, ESQ. was re. elect.
ed Treasurer; James Z. Heath, Esq.
first Auditor; and James Brown, ir.
Esq. second Auditor, for the ensuing
year. The election Of a Register OF
The Land Office was postponed until
the let Of February, on motion Of ar.
Williams Of Harrison, who stated that
he could demonstrate the necessity Of
an amalgaraation Of that office with
somc other department Of the gov ern-
ment. Mr.. w. since obtained leave 10
bring in bill for that purpose.
On Tuesday, no measure Of a gene
raj nature came up FOR disc ssion. The
table was cleared Of every thing read y
Tor action, which consisted mostly of
local matters.
On Wednesday,, bill proposing to
create q new county out Of parts Of
Lewis and Nicholas, to be called
Wayne, was rejected, after q little
sharp shooting between Messrs. Viii.
liams Of Harrison and Hays of Lewis,
and some remarks by Messrs. Erskine
and Stephenson.
An Intellectual effort was made by
Mr.. Brown Of Petersburg. to take Up
the bill concerning the Petersburg Rail
Road. This bill provides for a loan,
with view TO pay more speedily than
the law Of last session authorizes. I,
will scarcely be taken up until the
question Of general loan for the DUR
poses Of Internal Improvement shall
have been first decided.
On Ihursday. memorials we're re
ceived from large number Of the
Clerks Of Courts. praying revision OF
the Law OF last session, reducing their
fees. The bill, extending the time
within which prosecutions for petit lar.
ceny shall be commenced, caused some
debate, but was finally passed. SIEVE.
raj local bills passedi aud the report
sf the committee on slaves, &c. reject
ing petitions praying that negroes nsy
not be taught any trade or art, or be
employed IN mills, as miliers, &c. was
eoneurred in. A resolution, offered by
Mr.. Wood Of Frederick, proposing 10
amend the law concerning Internal
Improvement. 30 a. to require the
State to take one half the stock ofioint
stock companies, instead Of f.co 6lihs,
as now authorised, was negatived.
HE Reports Of the Principal Esgi.
neer, on the New River Rail Road, the
Winchester and Petersburg Road.
the survey Of the Shenan doah Valley.
&c: were received, and referred.
IT viii De seen, by the general re.
port of the Engineer, that he is decid
eddy IN favor Of Rail Roads over Ca.
nails, and speaks Of the former in term,
Of enthusiasm.
On Friday. Mr.. Karsk sdon Obtain.
Ell leave to bring in bill concerning
road from some point Of che National
Road near Cumberland, TO interssct
the Winchester and ParkersburR Road
Among the bills passed, was one pre.
seribing uniform conditions on which
subscriptions TO joint stock compa.
MES are TO be made. II will be re
collected, that early in the session, an
inquiry vas introduced upcu this sub
Jeet. The Senate will doublIess nass
the o'ii m which event the Charles.
town, smith6eld, and Harpers- Very
iarnP'ke Company will realize the
state subscription ordered last winter.
as believe al the acquisitions Of the
new lsw are already complied with.
Alter the despatch Of sundrV resolu
tons and bills Of local import prinei.
pally, the report Of the committee AZ
privileges aud elections, on the Nor.
gsD contested election, was then t.Es,