Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1847-12-22
VA. LEGISLATURE.
RrCH0lOND CORRESPONDENTS.

House took recess until the 6lhsaay OF January
there being no business prepared for its actiol
by the latter body.
i The only business of the week was me adcp
zion Of resolutions concerning the matters in dis
/. pute between the Board Of Public Works and
the Louisa Railroad Company and a comnitte,
appointed on ne subject
Mr.. voolfolk introduced further resolutions
on the subject, on Wednesday but they were lais
on the table, on motion of Mr. Amber,
A bill from the House was passed, authorizing
the Corporation Of the city Of Richmond to sub
scribe $4,000 to the stock Of the Richmonc
.snd Dansyille Railroad Company.
On Monday, in the House, Mr.. Stephenson
from the Committee of Roads, reported, on MI
McMprran's resolution, bill Incorporating the
4 Maryland and Virginia Bridge Company a
Shepherdstovn.
The Alexandria and Fairfax contest occupied
the greater part of the day Mi Harrison d
Loudoun took the ground thai Mr. Snowder
was properly the member, having been elected
in conformity TO the law OF the last session, AMI
the Constitution limiting the number of members
HeKcep, upon re-app6rtionmeat of the whole
State
Mr. Parks 6f KaHawha, tool similar ground
and urged the unconstituiioaality Of any Other
proceeding. =
j. Mr. Stewart of Berkeley c6neurred' with Nr
Parks as to the inequality of representation, and
at the proper time would go as far as any one tc
give the West IFS proper REPRESENTATION on the
white basis; butas this was'a legal and eons,itn.
ional question and not sectional he did no; think
at proper TO bring sectional considerations 10 bear
on it The Legislature could not take AWAY the
fright Of Fairfax and he was for giving both Fair
YAK and Alexandria representa- lion in proper
way.
| Mr.. Thomas defended, in an energetic speech
/ the constitutional right of Fairfax to a member,
and claimed that right in his ow person az the
properly returned member underline constitution,
which no law could abrogate.
! Before Mr.. Thomas concluded, the House aa,i-
journed.
On Tuesday the subject was resumed, and Mr.
Thomas concluded his speech.
Mr., Snowden waived argument upon the con-
stitutional points involved, as that bfanch of
The subject had been sufficiently discussed, but
made glowing appeal in behalf of the rightSof
Alexandria who had returned her delegate ae-
cording to the law ofthe last session.
Mr., Price offered substitute to the Sd resolu-
ton Of the committee, the 'purpdrt of which was
that both claimants were not. entitled to seats
This was carried by vote Of n 10 40; and a fur
ther proposition, that Edgar Snowden is, and
Henry w. Thomas<is not entitled.
During the tendency of the latter branch, MIR.
Scott Of Fauquier offered substitute, declaring
the act of last session Unconstitutional and void,
and that Henry W. Thomas was duly elected Is
| represent Fairfax County.
The subject was then laid over,
On motion of Mr. McMurrans u
RcSolred, That the committee on Roads and
Internal Navigation be instructed to inquire into
the expediency Of so amending the act authoriz-
ing the Shepherdstown and Smithfield Turnpike
Company to extend their road to the. town of
Winchester, as to direct the Board or Public
Works to subscribe fortwo-ffths of the Increased
capital stock Of said company.
Mr.. Thomson, Of Jefferson, presented petition
from said County, asking that Charity Lodge,
No. III, of Free Masohs, be permitted to hold
certain amount OF real estate.
TIE Shenandoah.
Petitions on this subject are pouring in. TIE
folloctng sreTs pressated. II
BY Mr.. Scott From citizens of Alexandria
| for renewal Of acts directing survey and ma
king an appropriation OF. money for improving
| the navigation Of the Shenandoah. I@.>
BY Mr. Shefey--A similar petition from Solo
mon I. Jackson and other citizens of The Shenan-
BY Mt Jacobs-A similar petition from the
Valley and .. petition from committee Of the
Front Royal Conyention.
/ OntWednesday, Mr. Scott took the floor in sup
port of his substitute, in the Fairfax and A1exan-
dria case, and made an argument Of great
ability. .
Mr.. Price, of Greenbricr, sustained his own
views Of the case, as presented in his amend
ment.
On Thursday, the subject was resumed and
after speeches by Messrs Jasper, |Lanier, Tun-
stall and others, the question was taken, and
Henry w. Thomas declared sntitied TO his seat
! by a vote Of
The question in relation to Mr.. Sncwden's
right to seat was laid oyer. @
Small Notes. ~
| Mr.. Syme, from the committee On Banks. re-
ported in favor Of Mr. Wallis resolution, By bill
to provide for the issue of small notes BY our
| Banks. The bill authorizes an issue to the a.
nt5of ten per cent. upon the capital by with
drawing similar amount of larger notes.
\ This bill will pass the House, and hope will
| have a more favorable consideration lin the Sc
nate than heretofore
\ On motion of Mr. Tunstail,
II Resolred, That the committee Of Courts Of JUS
\ tce inquire into the expediency Of $50 amending
III The relation tn the rofa
| of Executors Administrators and Guardians, as
/ TO require that the same be settled BY the respec-
tive Commissioners in Chancery in each county.
/ On motion Of Mr.. Jasper, "
/ Resolred, That the committee oh Courts OF
Justice be instructed to enquire into the expedi-
ency Of amending the law ID regard to the iabili-
/ ty OF sheritis for the security in indemnifying
bonds. as TO place that officer on afooting with
other officers and with the courts, itEtaking sech-
| rity in bonds required By la&
On motion of Mr.. Wall,
Resoteed, That the committee Oh Banks en.
quire into the expediency of reporting bill No
l42 Of the last session entitled ian act amending
the 18th section Of the act relating to Banks pass
ed April 4th 1885,"
On FTiddys the Senate was not in session.
In the House, the Alexandria case was again
taken up, and the resolution of Mr.. Moncure, Of
Stafford, declaring Edgar Snowden entitled to a
Seal. as delegate from Alexandria
Mr.. Moncure entered into an able argument in
support of this position, ndcontended that Alex
andria not beingof the territory embraced in the
divisions and allc,ments Of the Constitution,
stood upon an entirely different footing from the
counties, towns, &c, specified, and therefore no
re-apportionment was necessary III reference to
her, and could not apply to her case.
The debate was continued BY Messrs Floyd;