Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-12-27
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
FRIDAY Dec. 18th. Is.

ing upon the proceedings Of an Internal I,rr,ov.
ment Convention held at Stauaton on the Cd Of Oo-
tober, proposing 10 extend the two termn; or ,h.
Louisa Railroads. The Governor opposes IN. oy.
tensions, ON the ground that they would conflict
with the interests Of the Richmond and Frederick.
burg Railroad Company and Of the James River
and kanawha Company and he tells the Leeisla-
uie .hai the subject requires great maturity Of con.
On motion Of Mr.. S,ovall, the communication
was laid on the table
MI oirother from subcommittee fcr Courts of Jus
ice presented adverse reports the resolutions an
thorzlng the Judges of the Circuit Courts in va
ca'lon, 10 order the venue TO be changed as in
Conrt for amending the 9Th section Of the Ioth
chapter of the Criminal Code; for AMENDING tho
rst section OF the chapter regulating bail in crm
nal cases; upon the petition of Isaac Soue. Also
bills 10 prevent theremoval of free negroes and mn,
atOes to the city of Norfolk; divorcing Peter Nf,r,
rom his wife Susan; authorizing, in certain cases
the Transfer removal of money or other person,i
property from the State.
SLAVES ESCAPING TO OTHER STATES.
Mr. Faulkner proceeded TO urge the importance
OF some determined action this subject He re-
erred to the exposed situation of his own and other
counties near the Pennsylvania line, and declared
that 1t loudly demanded the protection Of the whole
State and the whole South MIR. F. Stated in the
course of his remarks, that i, was estimated that
S9e,UOO year was lost in this State through the
cohnvance of the laws of neighboring States at X,a
escape of slaves.
MIR. Robinson added his testimony in favor of the
views Of MIR. Faulkner
Mr.. Massey rendered his thanks to the gentle
man from Berkeley and confirmed his description of
the serious evils existing in the Northern counties
OF the State.
On motion of Mr.. Watson, the resolution was n
mended SO as TO provide for special committee
The Speaker appointed the following committee
viz: Messrs. Faulkner WATSON, Townes Robin
son, Worthington. Segar, Shelley, Pitts Fergu.
son, Massey and Vaughan.
SATURDAY 10th.
REPORTS.
MI Strother, from the committee for Courts NJ
Justice, made reports upon the expediency of al
lowing grand Jurors compensation for their services.
aso' on inc resolution to enquire into the expedi
ency OF amending the 10th section OF 18th cban,cr
of the act to reduce into one the several acts cnn-
cerning crimes; also, the resolution TO enouire
into the eXpedlency of amending the act passed 3Ist
March, 1910, which requires clerks of Courts 10
copy partly proved deeds in books also, on the re-
solution TO enquire into the eXpedency Of extending
the jurisdiction OF justices of the peace o cases nf
assault and battery. Also, the following bills:
"A bill to create new judicial circuit and for o.
ther purposes:
A bill providing for taking the REIMBURSEMENT of
dover In the estate of lunatics
The following Reports were laid on the table:
Reports of the committee of Courts, agains, a.
mendlng The law requiring clerks of courts to COPY
partly proved deeds in books, Sc
Also, against allowing grand jurors compensa-
ton;
Also, against extending the jurisdiction of single
justices TO assault and battery
Also, against the petition of Isaac Soule.
All other reports that came up were agreed to.
Also, adverse reports on the resolutions to lessen
the fees of constables on the expedency of repeal
ing tie 9th section of the act concerning Western
lands, &c; on the expediency of an act explanatory
Of bo ,t6
on the petition Of citizens of Charlotte for change
OF the laws concerning free negroes.
The committee on the Militia reported bill con.
corning the Virg inia Regiment of Volunteers
The committee on Lunatic Asylurns reported
bill providing for the purchase of furniture for the
Eastern and Western Asylums, and for other p,,r
poses
The committee Of Propositions, &c., reported a
Dill to authorise separate election at the house of
Apollo Stephens In the county Of Mason and re-
ported adversely the petition of citizens OF Point
Pleasan! for an enlargement of the powers of their
town sergeant
MONDAY Dec 10.
RESOLUTIONS.
On motion OF Mr. Dorman the House took ND the
resolution concerning the Virginia Military Institutes
proposing committee of the House to visit and
examine the Institution
Mr.. Dorman explained the condition and advan-
tageS OF the institutions and the proDriey of such
committee, in order that members should be able to
form correct judgment for themselves The ne
cesSty OF increased accommodations was dwet up-
on, to render the Institution available for all the
useful purposes intended.
MIR. Robinson sustained the resolution, and gave
some instances of the benefits resulting from the
labors Of the Institute.
Mr.. Massey was in favor of raising the commit
tee, but desired TO enlarge its powers so as to en-
brace other insiitutions-that for the Deaf and
DUMB, and the Blind. He therefore offered the
following amendment, which MIR. Cook accepted as
part OF the original proposition
'fAnd also, that said committee shall visit the
Virginia Institute for the education Of the Deaf and
Dumb and the Blind and inquire into and report
to this house its condition and prospects, and the
propriey, In their estimation, of improving and en-
larging the buildings as proposed by the principals
IN their late report 10 the President and Visitors of
that institution"
PRAYER AT OPENING.
Mr. Grasty, of Pi,tsylyana, offered the follow
| ing resolution
Resolved, That the Speaker of this House in
ylte the ministers of the several religious denoni-
nations in the City TO open its sessions each day
with prayer, and that the said ministers be respect
| fully requested TO make such arrangements among
themselves as will enable them to do it regularly
| MI FLOYD moved the following as a substitute
That the committee of Propositions and Griev-
ances inquire into the expediency of appointing a
chaplain TO this House, and to ascertain what ought
10 be the measure of compensation for his services
| This resolution and amendment produced de-
! bate of about two hours, on motion by MIR. Clai-
borne TO lay on the table--in which MeSsrs Grasty
Syme, Scott, Sheffey, Claiborne, Watson, FLOYD,
Thompson, of b., Hart, Burwell, Smith, Pitts.
Conway and Thomas, jook part.
Z 81.