Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-25
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
n MI

A COZ municaon received from the Senate by
their Clerk announcing the passage by that body of
large number OF bills on the GOTH Dist and 22pd insts
(Which have been will be duly noted in the proceed
ngso that body) About twenty of tn bills thus COM
munlcattd having been amended in the Senate, were
passed upon by the House, and the amendments with
one or two exceptions, concurred in.
JArEs RIVER AND KANAwHA COMPANY.
Mr.; CARRINGToN moved to take up the reports sub
med by the committee TO investigate the affairs of the
James River and Kanawha Co.
Mr.. PATRICK learned that MIR. CRuTcnrfELp. one of
the champions on this subject absen, in atten-
dance on committee, and he therefore hoped it would
not be the pleasure OF the House to lake up the
Mr.. CARRINGToN said that he had already deferred to
gentlemen, and reralned from pressing this natter but
he felt it TO be due to tue officers of the James River
Company well as to the public that the subject should
be acted upon.
Mr.. Boiling thought sufficient time had been wasted
in considering the affairs OF the James River and Kama
wha Company. He therefore trusted the House would
not take up the reports The question being then aken
the House refused to do so, by large majority
Mr.. CARRINGToN said as he had been defeated in his
efforts to bring the reports above alluded to before the
House. he proposed to accomplish his object by another
and distinct movement. He therefore proposed the
adoption OF the following resolution, viz:
Resored, That in the opinion of the House Of Dele
gates OF Virginia, rs inexpedient for the Chief Enei-
neer OF any Improvement in which the State is or may
be stakeholder to accept employment upon any other
public work than that OF which he is Chief Engineer
MIR. BOILING said he opposed to the resolution in
ton, moved that the resolution be indefinitely pospon
ed
Mr.. DoRMAN said that whilst he was in favor of talk
ing up and acting upon the reports of the Committee
yet as the House had refused take up, he was oppo-
sed to the resolution, because the sought to ac
complish by ndirection that which the House had re-
fused TO do di ecty.
Mr.. WHEELER spoke in favor Of the indefinite post.
poEement. He expressed surprise that the Chairman
of the Committee should, alter framing bill of indct-
men against the officers OF the James River and Ka-
nawha Company, tail to examine witnesses and make
proper Investigation He regarded the report submit
ted by the chairman OF that COMMITTEE nothing more
less than elaborate attack upon the officers of
that Company. As to the resolution under consdera-
ton he thought that the House should adopt it, it
would indirectly cast degree OF censue upon the Off
GERS of the James River and Kanawha Company which
was wholly unwaranted by any developments made by
the famous investigating ttee. He asked if the
House prepared to say that no engineer now in the
service OF the State should be allowed consult rela
tive TO other works OF improvement? Ii so, he mag
ned that the State was destined to lose the services of
gentlemen highly skilled in the service OF civil engineer
ing. The House would bear in mind that the Chief
Engineer of the James River and Kanawha Company
could not, without the consent OF The Board of Eng
neers, consult upon the affairs Of other companies and
that ii it adopted the resolution, it would Indirectly
censure not only the Chief Engineer but the President
and Directors OF the Company also He thought that
the adoption of the resolution would be produc-
tive OF another injurious effect: it would force the pre-
sent accomplished Chief Engineer Of the James
River and kanawha Company quit the service oil the
State: That Eng neer he learned had, during the past
year been absent from the State only twenty days.
and he thought the House would act wisely in permit
ting the Board oil Directors to continue to dec lde the
question as to the proprley OF permitting the Chief En-
gineer OF that Company consult TO other improve
ments.
Mr.. WALL thought sufficient time had been devoted
to this subecand therefore felt it to be his duty bring
the discussion to close. fle called the previous ques
ton on the motion to postpone indefinitely.
MT. CARRINGToN protested, with some warmth, |
against the application OF the gag. He remarked, that
on former occasion he had been cut off by similar
application of the rules OF the House from replying to
the remarks Of gentlemen who had criticised the ae-
ton OF the committee of investigation. He trusted the |
House would refuse to second the call for the previous
question.
The question was then taken, when the House reua-
ed to order the previous question.
Mr. DARLINGTON said he regretted the necessity |
which compelled him to trespass upon the time of the
House at this late period of the session. but high |
sense OF duty induced him to reply to certain obec-
lions which had been urged against the adoption OF the
resolution. The gentl men from Cumberland and Nor
folk, (Messrs. Boiling and Wheeler objected to the re-
solution because it indirectly censured the officers OF
The Company Now, he submitted that careful perusa
Of the resolution would show that no censure was cast
as none was intended. In offering it, he certainly did
not intend to cast the slightest degree of upoa
any individual or company. The resolution was gene
raj its terms, and led to all Chief Engineers the
service OF the State. Tie reasons in fvo of The ado
ton OF the resolution had been so repeatedly urged
himself on the floor, render it unnecessary Tor him
to do SO now. Tho gentleman ftom Norfolk said MI |
H. had thought proper to characterize this whole mat
ter as much ado about nothing" Now it wac cues
ton IN which his constituents elt likely interest and
therefore te it to behis duty to urge action AS to the
obJec ton, that the investigating committee had failed
10 examine witnesses, he remark ed that he had submit
led the question to Tie decision OF t committee, q
hey had decided not 10 pursue that course. so far
therefore,, as he pei sonaly concerned, he had been
ell powerless. But this was a matter which did not
call Tor the examination OF witnesses. 1t broad,
'elf-evldent propostion and needed adventurous
support.
Mr.. G. then replied to the remarks of Mr. Carroll
submitted some days snce) re atve to the Young mem
oers OF the House wasting the time OF the House in
oonsenScal speeches, in which he handled that penle-
man without gloves.
The previous question being demanded on the indeG-
llte posponemenl,
Mr.. CARROLL gave notice that he should pay his
aspects to the gentleman from Botelourt, at
convenient season.
The question then taken and the call for the
previous question sustained. The main qut SIT IN be-
ng ordered was taken, and the resolution indefinite
postponed by the following vote: ayes SO, noes 10.
On motion OF Mr.. LEWIS OF f., the House adopted
Resolued by the General Assembly, That the Sec
etary ofthe Commonwealth be authorised and direct
ID TO furnish annually Tor the Of each OF the CLERKS
'fces of the District Courts OF the United States for
he Districts OF Virginia. copy OF the acts of Assembly,
n otherwise ordered, including the acts OF lS49 and
$50.
A motion was made by Mr.. DoRMAN to suspend the
ule Tor the purpose OF reconsderng the vote rejecting
~ engrossed bill amending certain sections of chapter
il OF the Code OF Virginia; and it was determined in
he affirmative. The vote then reconsidered, and on
notion OF Mr. STovALL the vote ordering the said bill
o be engrossed was also reconsdersd, and the bill laid
pon the table.
THE COMPROMISE MEASURES.
Mr. FLoURNoY, from the select committee on the
Compromise Measures, presented the following report
which he said had been unanimously agreed to by the
and which he trusted it would e the plea
ure OF the House to adopt with like unanimiy.
Whereas the Leg stature Of the State OF South Ca
DINA has passed act to provide Tor the appointment
II Delegates 10 Southern Congress, TO be entrusted
,ew and intention of resisting further aggression aud
possible of restoring the constitutional rights of the
SOUTH and if not, TO recommend due provision tor her
utute safety and Independence" which act has been
ormallv communicated TO this General Assembly.
Be IL therefore Resoired By the General Assemjlu
# Virginia, That whilst this State deeply sympahses
With South Carolina in the feelings excited by The I'M
varantable interference OF the -savehodng States
With our common institutions; and whilst diversity of
opinion exists among the people OF this Common