Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-01-03
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
I NcSHHg, DEC. Of.

munication from Francis II. Smith, SuperintenG-
ent Of the Virginia Military Institute, giving The
information called for by the resolution Of the
House OF the 18th instant, relative TO the expenses
incurred By the pay Cadets of the institution and
explaining what are he causes of dismission OF
said Cadets. The communication was, on mo-
ton of Mr.. BLUE ordered 10 be printed.
On motion Of MIR. BLUE, the Committee on
Roads, &c, were instructed TO report Bill No. 80
of last session.
Mr.. HAMILTON, of Preston, offered reso-
luton, which was rejected, that Committee be
appointed 10 provide for more strict observance
of The first rule of this House, and compliance
with the Seth section OF the act reducing into one
act the several acls concerning the election OF
members OF the General Assembly, and for other
purposes.
MIR. LEE presented a petition Of Thomas
Bryan, for the privilege Of selling by lottery the
lots in projected town in Hardy county.
A bill Incorporating the President and Direc-
tors Of the Southwestern Turnpike Road" on lis
second reading was called up by Mr.. FULTON OF
Wythe The bill fixed the Eastern terminus OF
the Road at Buchanan, in the county OF Boteiouft
TO be constructed by way of Salem, Christians
burg, Newben, Wythevie, Marion and Abing-
don, 10 the Tennessee line.
Mr. TOLER moved 10 strike out buchanan"
copied an amendment OF Mr.. Preston, fixing the
Eastern terminus at he East Bank OF Ns,c Rirr,
The road 10 be constructed BY the way of New
bern, Wylheville, Marion, and Abingdon, TO the
Tennessee line.
Mr. GOODSON, asa friend ofthe road, agreed
to Mr.. Preslons suggestion, in order TO AVOID
the embarrassment, of conflicting claims.
Mr.. PIeston's amendment was agreed 10,
after an animated debate, in which Mcssrs.
PRESTON, THOMPSON Of Botaouri, and
TOLER participated
On motion of Mr.. PRESTON, the bill was
further amended so as TO authorize the Company
10 borrow, on the credit of the State, from time
10 time as il shall be necessary, sum Of money
not exceeding $4,000 per annum, and not cx-
ceeding in all hree kn,pt,ed thousand dolLars in
stead of $525 900, as in The original bill.
On motion of Mr.. GOODSON, the width Of
the proposed road was changed from G6 10 81
feet.
On motion of Mr. TOLER, the hill was fur
thcr amerded, 50 as 10 provide tina, the road shall
be commenced from New River and be completed
10 its Western terminus, before any portion OF me
road East of that point should be put under con-
trac;.
TIE question, then, being on the enSrosSment
Of the bill, Mr.. WHITE called for the ayes and
noes, as he wished 10 make this vote a test. he
felt compelled TO oppose the amended bill, as Inc
terminus Should be at Buchanan. He had warn
ed gentlemen, that, if they changed the termina-
ton OF the road, he should igh. the bill al every
srep. Mr.. W. warmly sustained the policy Of
completing the James River and Kanawha I'm
p-ovement.
Messrs HARvIE, CAMPBELL, BROAD
Us of Culpcpcr, BLUE, COOTES, COWAN
ST2OTHER and LAYNi: defined their posi-
lions and said they were III favor OF the engross-
men Of The bill but did no. mean, BY their course
at present, 10 commit themselves for or against
the bill on il passage
Mr.. THOMPSON OF Eotetouri was warm
friend of The read, and would have gone for The
original bill; but Is lmrnGed 10 day, by changing
The terminus IRON Buchanan, he was bound 70
oppose il. His constituents were suffering severe
ly under the want Of those Improvements they
had been led 10 expect; and justice required that
something should tc done Tor them. Mr. t. re-
ferrcd particularly TO the grra: depression Of the
iron business in his county, for the want OF COM
municaton.
Mir. PRESTON thought, that because the peo-
pie of Dolc,our could not get the terminus of The
Southwestern road, they should not now throw
difficulties in the way Of road, which was
matter Of life and death 10 the people OF the South
West He hoped that Mr.. White would with
draw the call for he ayes and noes, and not en-
barrass the House 81 this stage Of The proceeding.
Mr. DANIEL Of Prince George hoped that
Mr.. White would no. yield the call for The ayes
and noes. Mr.. D. was opposed 10 The bill-as II
authorizes a lean, On The credit OF lhe Sta'c, OF
Tie enormous sum OF 100000 The State had
already loaned 10 Join, stock companies S17400O,
and had already been forced 10 pay Sl35,000 Of
interest. Should this Legislature plunge the
State sill! further in deb,, causing heavy N
crca.e Of taxation or what was more fatal repu-
didlion
Mr. WITCtIER felt bound, though reluctant
". 10 oppose the bill, as he came here determined
10 resist any increase Of the State debt.
In reply 10 question Of Mr. Wilcher, Mr..
PRESTON iisclaiined any intention of passing
this bill b. an accidental majority. He wished
full House 10 examine its merits and he more
over desired, that abundant time should be allowed
for mature reflection.
Mr.. WITCHER suggested 10 Mr. White 10
withdraw the call for the ayes and noes-as The
bill might be engrossed, laid on the table and
made the order Of the day at later period.
Mr. WHITE declined The suggestion.
Mr.. GOODSON thought The South West should
not be killed of in this hurried manner. They
should have fair chance. They had always
voted cheerfully for appropriations TO other por-
tons Of the State and now asked only Justice
MIR. G. warmly supported the bill
The roll was then called. and the bill was order
ed 10 be en.rossed by The following vote
AyEs-Messrs. Souhall, (Speaker) Brown,
Lavne, Harvie, Fulton of Augusta, Frazier, Van
Buren,, Campbell, Pcndlclon, Thompson oil Bole-
tourt, HAYS, Miller, Flood, Beuhring, Toler,
Rroadns OF Culpepcr, Wood, Marshall of Eau
quicr, Tyree, PAYNE, Helms, Street, Brooks,
Carson, Lovel French, Parks, Mcpherson OF
Grecntrier, Blue Lee, Bassell, McRac OF Hen
rico. Turner of Jefferson. Towner, Smith, Far
lev, TAYLOR of Loudoun, kdwell, Parriou Hall.
Preston, Cabell, Edginston, Hiner, Gay, Hamil-
ton of Preston Sturm, STROLLER, Moore, Coolies,
Martz, Cowan, Denison, Stickley, Tate, Newton,
Peerv, Stephenson. Funsten, Goodson, Jackson
and Fulton Of Wy,he-G2
NAys-Messrs Powell, Scruggs, Myers Blick,
Harrison, Fox, Wnfree. Thompson of Dinwid-
die, Edmunds of FauGuicr, Bate, Edmunds OF
Halifax. Stoval, Ward, Flanary, Grub, Cor
don. Rillup<, Pool, Baskerville, Wade, Hamilton
Of Monroe, O'E'errall, Davis of Orange and
Greene Mcpherson OF Page Turner of Patrick,
Witchcr, Lanicr, Daniel OF Prince George, Mac
rae Of Prince William, White, Kane, Hedgman
and Frecman-33.
Petitions &c. were presented and referred:
By Mr.. WlTCIlER, remonstraEcc Of a
portion of the citizens OF Danvillc, against the
abolition Of tie Hastings Court in said town;
By Mr.. McRAE, memorial OF the Society OF
Friends in the City OF Richmond, for the amel;o-
ration Of the condition of Free Negroes in Ger
tain particulars; also, petition Of sundry citizens
of Henrico county, for tho removal of the pre-.
cinct election now held at New Market, in said
county, 10 the house Of Stephen b. Sweeney;
BY Mr.. WADE, OF citizens Of Monongala
for an act settling the conflicting claims of The
Regular Baprists and the Old Regular Baplis
Church 10 the Baptist Meeting House that il
built on Bamboo Lane in Morgantown.
Mr. DANIEL Of Prince George offered a re
solution, that leave be granted 10 Henry Van Blu
rem, the sitting member from The county OF BAH
10 produce certificate from the family record o
Thomas Smith, or other testimony, proving lhs
be was 81 years Of age at the time of The las
Spring elecion-to be used as evidence in hi
/ contested election from that county
The resolution was sustained ty Messrs. DA
MEL OF P G., and DAVIS Of Orange & Green
opposed By Messrs. WITCHER, STROTHEf
and LEE and was lost As 10 AZ, Mr.. TAYLOR
/ ~ nj