Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-04-29
SKETCHES OF THE ACTS.
Passed at the last session ofMe General Assem-.
6ly Of Virginia.

selected from each of the 4 divisions of the
State, as specified i'll the Constitution; and
makes it the duty of said board to present an
nually to the Legislature general view of
the condition of agriculture in the State, the
nature and quantity of all the agricultural sta
pies, such facts in relation to the cultivation
OF the soil and the best modes of preparing
its various products for theirappropriate uses
as they deem useful, and the relative degrees
OF encouragement aiiordedby the state of for
elgn and domestic markets to the various pro-
auctions of the State. The board to hold one
session in each year.
An act for devising system for popular
Education; requires the President and Direc-
tors OF the Literary Fund report to the next
Legislature School System to secure the
benefits OF education to the people of the
State.
An act to amend the several acts appropri-
ating the surplus revenue of the Literary
Fund; provides that the School Commission
ers OF any county or corporation who have
made or shall make an appropriation of the
surplus revenue of the Literary Fund, to any
Coilege or Academy, may, at the expiration
OF any fiscal year, withdraw such appropria-
tlon' when the claims of other Colleges or
Academies, or the exigencies ofthe poor may
render II, in their opinion, proper.
An act authorising additional compensation
Tor the tuition of poor children; authorises
the commissioners ofthe several counties and
corporations of the State east of the Alegha-
ny mountains, except the counties of Acco-
mac, Bedford and Surry, to allow not excee-
ding cents for each days actual attendance
OF each child as compensation to the teacher.
An act concerning divorces; gives to the
Circuit Courts jurisdiction over suits for dis
m H..
therefor shall be natural or incurable impo-
tency OF body at the time of marriage, idiocy,
bigamy, or any other causes for which mar
rIages are annulled by the ecclesiastical law,
with power to decree the marriages null and
void. Such suits to be prosecuted according
TO the rules OF proceeding in chancery in said
courts, except that the defendant shall not be
compelled to answer on oath, and that the bill
shall not be taken for confessed. Gives the
said courts also cogniZance of causes on ac-
count OF adultery, cruelty, just cause of bodi-
ly fear, abandonment and deserton, or for a.
ny other cause for which limited divorce is
authorized by the ecclesiastical law: with
power to grant divorces mensa ct Mo,o to be
proceeded In In the same manner; and to decree
perpetual separation and protection to the per-
sons and property of the parties to decree to
either out OF the property of tile other such
maintenance as may be proper; to restore to
the injured party the rights of property con-
ferred by the marriage upon the other, and to
provide for the custody, guardianship and
maintenance of the issue of the marriage as to
them may seem right. Neither party there
by, however, tobe authorized to marry during
the lie OF the other. Appeals allowable,
and the same time allowed to absent defen-
dantS as In otter cases to set aside the de-
cree.
! AN act creating Library for the Virginia
military Institute; appropriates out Of the
Library fund the sum of $500 annually for 5
years, to the purchase books to constitute
Library for the said institution.
An act Incorporating the Paine's Run Gap
turnpike Company; to constructa turnpike
road from some point on the western base of
the Blue Ridge, through Paine's Gap, to
charlottesville, with capital of $4,000, to
be raised by subscription, with power to in
crease 1t to 100000.
8, AN act incorporating the Trustees of the
Shemariah Academy; the academy to be To-
Gated in the county of Augusta, and invested
with the usual powers of like institutions of
the State.
An act to amend the act for the better Or
ganization of the militia; repeats so much of
the present law as requires the Governor to
furnish arms and accoutrements to the militia
OF the line, and leaves it discretionary with
the Executive to issue them or not at plea
sure; empowering the Governor to prescribe
the mode OF keeping and preserving arms so
furnished. Provides that the Adiutants of
regiments (where commandments of companies
shall fail to make returns of the strength of
their companies) shall make such returns to
the Brigadier Generals. Creates new bri-
gade out of portion of the both brigade, to be
styled the 23d brigade, and to be composed of
the militia In the counties of Harrison, TYLER
and Wood; the said brigade to be attached
TO the ID division of militia. Fixes the saa-
Iy OF the Adjutant General at 800, and gives
the appointment of that officer to the EXecu-
uve' declaring that any other Executive Off
Ger shall be capable of holding the Office
Prohibits issuing new muskets to the militia
OF the line, until those which have been re-
paired shall have been distributed. And au-
thorlzes the Governor to adopt such modif-
cations OF army regulations as he may deem
necessary Tor the government Of the Public
Guard
AN act authorizing an increase of the CAPT.
tai stock of the Valley Turnpike Company,
ana Tor other purposes authorizes an in
crease to the amount of $25, 900, of which the
Board of Public Works to subscribe for three
hfths, and individuals for two-ffths; and di-
reefs the Board of Public Works to loan to
SAID company six per cent. scrip ofthe State,
10 an amount not exceeding S25, 5000; the
Punctual payment Of the interest to be secur-
ed, and the principal to be redeemed in 90
years the number of directors in future to be
., D to be appointed by the Board of Public
works, and Shy individual stockholders.
An act directing the payment of a sum of
money to the visitors of the Virginia institu-
ton, for the education of tho deaf and dumb.
and of the blind; directs the payment of
S6 $50, being the amount expended by the
said visitors in the purchase of furniture, mu-
steal instruments, books, apparatus, &C., for