Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-05-05
LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA,

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MONDAY, April 26th.-The death of R 6 Rive
Esq, late representative from Prince George an
Surry, was announced in the Senate and Hous,
both of which adjourned over.
TUEsDAY.-Se'dte.-O motion of Mr. Shelly
the House Bill reducing the capital of the CeI
tral Bank OF Virginia, was considered and passed
On motion of Mr.. Shackleford, the resolution j
relation to granting authority to the Orange an
Alexandria Railroad Company to extend their roa
TO Lynchburg, was taken up,together with the re
commentator OF Ihe Committee Of Roads that tn
same be rejected; Whereupon, on motion of Nj
Shacklefofd, said resolution was recommitted t
said committee.
Ho,we.-The Joint COMMITTEE on the Peniten
tiary, made report.
| On motion OF MI. hoolnson of Richmond City
the resolutions offered by him some days since
relative to the coupon bond contract between tn
Board of Public Works and Selden, Withers 8
Co., and the resolution submitted by Mr.. Goode O
NJ, to refer the whole subject to Select Commit
tee, were taken up for consideration when Nh
Robinson proceeded to address the House in con
domination of the terms of the contract and the cir
cumstances under which it was made, and in re
ply to the remarks of Mr.. Barbour on Saturda,
last, on the same subject Mr.. r. having conclu
ded,
Mr.. Wallace offered substitute for the resolu
tions Of Messrs. Robinson and Goode which sub
stitute proposed continuing with the Finance Com
mite the whole subject, with instructions to en-.
quire into and report to the House of Delegates
''what modification, if any of the contract with
Selden, Withers & Co., it is advisable to make
and what course, under all the circumstances, the
General Assembly shall take in regard to it," FIN
substance, Mr.. Robinson's proposition.
After debate, the resolution was adopted.
The bill fixing the terms of the District Courts
and places of holding said Courts, was then taken
up for consideration. A motion to strike from the
bill Wood Court House, the place recommended
for holding said Court, was rejected after long
discussion on the subject. The bill was then laid
on the table, there being one more district to pro-
vide for.
On motion of Mr.. Goode of NJ, the House, in
Committee of Whole, took up the bill to regulate
the assessment of taxes on licenses. Mr.. Robinson
yielded the floor to Mr.. Imboden who addressed
the Committee in speech of nearly two hours
length in opposition to the views and recommen-
dations of the Finance Committee, which proposes
an addition of Is per cent. to the present license
tax. When he concluded, the Committee rose,
asked leave to sit again.
hilu IlOuSe
WEDNEsDAY.-Senate.-A bill from the House
directing the Board of Public Works to cause to
be repaired and reconstructed the bridges recently
destroyed on the Stanton and Parkersburg Turn
pike Road and Senate bill amending an act
passed March 29th, 1851, concerning volunteers,
were amongst the bills passed to-day.
House.-Bills were reported concerning the re-
nunciation by widow of the provision for her in
her husbands will authorizing the Valley Union
Education Society of Virginia to confer collegiate
degrees; prohibiting a person, without mer-
chants license, from selling goods by sample or
otherwise. A bill which had been recommitted
A petition was presented from citizens of the
county of Rockbrdge, for modification of the laws
relating to the sale of ardent spirits to slaves.
The unfinlsed business of yesterday, the bill
''fXing the terms of the District Courts and the
place of holding said Courts" was resumed. A
long and animated discussion ensured on the place
for holding the court for the 10th district After
the rejection of several places proposed, Marion
Court House was adopted by the House--Ayes 70,
noes AZ.
Col. Mitchell w. West Of Acconac, was elect
ed Ono other person being in nomination. General
for the 2lst Brigade Virginia Militia to supply the
vacancy caused by the resignation of Gen. Smith
Nottingham.
A communication was presented by the Speak
er, from Samuel Price, resigning his seat in the
House of Delegates, from Greenbrer county. The
House authorized the Speaker to issue writ, d-
recting an election to be held on the 18th of May,
to supply the place,of Mp.
Mr.. Goode of Mecklenburg, Chairman of the
Committee of Finance; presented a bill providing
that any license granted under existing laws shall
be granted with the consideration that, besides the
tax now paid, such additional tax as the Legisla
ture'may impose shall be paid within sixty days at
ter the passage of the act imposing such additional
tax, under penalty of forfeiture Of license. The
bill was passed.
THURsDAY-Scnate.- House bill provi-
ding for the payment of such addition to the IL
cense tax, beginning with the first of May, as the
present Legislature may prescribe, and the bill
concerning the inspection of flour, Sc, were pass
ed.
House.-A bill from the Senate concerning vol
unteers was read land ordered to second reading,
and then laid on the table.
Mr.. Burdett called up the report of the commit
tee on Banks in effect declaring it ineapedient to
submit to vote of the people, as proposed by a
resolution offered by Mr.. b., the question of the
propriety of the issue of small notes. He offered
an amendment declaring it erpcdeat to submit the
question to vote of the people.
After discussion, the report and amendment were
laid on the table.
The bill fixing the terms of the District Courts,
and the place for holding said courts ordered to
a third reading yesterday, was taken up on motion
of Mr.. Robinson and passed.
On motion of Mr. Goode of NJ, the House went
into Committee of the Whole for the consideration
of the bill providing for a new assessment of the
license tax. Mr.. Robinson of Richmond made a
lengthy speech in opposition to the proposed in
crease. He did not believe the public disburse-
ments for the next two years would require so
great an increase of the license tax.
FRIDAY.-Senate.-A bill was reported, provid
ing for the registration of voters. Nothing else OF
interest.
Ho,tse.-The House, in Committee Of the
Whole, resumed the consideration OF the bill reg
luating the assessment of taxes on licenses.
Mr.. Rives addressed the Committee at length
in opposition to the views contained in the report
presented from the committee Of Finance, relative
to the finances of the State.
Among the bills passed was one concerning re-
wards for panthers, &c-(authorizes the county
courts to allow or discontinue rewards for killing
panthers wolves, foxes, wildcats, crows, or black
birds, &c.)
SATURDAY.-Howe- bill was reported au-
thorizing one Of the Banks of the State to estab-
fish branch at Lexington.
Also bill prescribing the duties and compepsa-
ton Of the Attorney General-(allows him $4,000
per annum.)
Union State Convention Of Georgia.
The State Convention of the Union party of
Georgia was held at blillidgevlle on Thursday &
Friday last. The Hon. A. II. Chappell presid-
ed The nrincinal business hronpht before the