Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-12-15
LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA.

H.
MoNpAY, Dec. 6th.-Senatc.-A resolution
from the committee of General Laws, declaring
inexpedieht to legislate on the subject OF com
mutation of punishment of slaves by the Execu
tive of the Commonwealth, was agreed to by TIT
Senate.
The resolution, offered few days ago, lament
ing the deaths of Henry Clay and Daniel Web
ster and declaring those events national 6ercave
ment, was taken up and agreed to-ayes 90, noes
is.
House.--A number of resolutions of inquiry
were offered and adopted to-day, and appropriate
ly referred.
for accepting the Act of Congress providing tor the
satisfaction of Virginia Land Warrants, and fol
reIinousbinr the claim of this State to the lands
lin the State of Ohio, were taken UP and agreed
to.
After debate, the bill establishing line Of
steamers between Virginia and Antwerp was laid
on the table. together with substitute therefor,
offered by Mr.. Anderson, and made the order Of
tho day for Tuesday next.
bill authorizing the Virginia and Tennessee
Railroad Company to increase its capital stock, by
priyae subscription, to the amount of one million
five hundred thousand dollars and bill authorlz-
inc the Board of Public Works to subscribe to the
capital ctock of the Manassas Gap Railroad Com
pany the sum of 100000, were passed.
Among other resolutions, the following was pre-
sented:
Bv Mr.. Imboden-That the Committee on
County Organization enquire into the expedlency
of providing, by law,fo the appointment OF Coun-
ty Auditors, and to prescribe their duties.
-Senate.-The bill from the House
increasing the stock of the Lynchburg and Ten
nessee Railroad was passed:
House-The prominent feature in the proceed
inqs of the House of Delegates, to-day, was de-
hate and proceedings on the resolution expressing
regret for the deaths of Henry Clay and Daniel
Webster, and declaring their loss Irrational be-
reayement'' motion was made by MIR. Jack
son to Law the resolution on the table. This hay
ing failed. a motion was made by MIR. Martz to
amend the resolution by adding thereto the name
of John G.. Calhoun This was carried when
motion was further made by Mr.. Taliaferro to a
mend by adding, that the Legislature of Virginia
ssympathized with the people of Great Britain In
the national bereavement they had sustained oy
the death of Arthur, Duke of Wellington" The
object of this amendment. the mover avowed, was
to kill the resolution. 1t received but Z votes.
The resolution was then passed, with the name
of Mr.. Calhoun attached-ayes 7S, noes AZ.
Mr.. Lewis, from the Committee of Roads and
Internal Navigation, presented the following bills:
A bill appropriating $4,000 for the extension
of the Huttonsville and Huntersville Turnpike;
A bill to authorize the llowardsville and Rock
fish Turnpike Company to increase their capital
stock. and extend their road to the Alum Springs
in Rockbridge county;
A bill to extend and complete the Huttonsville
and Huntersville Turnpike, and for the erection oil
la, hr;d,,,, ,oroco C,rannbrnr River
Mr.. Miller, from the Committee of Courts OF
Justice, presented reports upon resolutions tor a.
mendiug chapter 18th of the Code of Nirglnla,pro-
hibiting Counsel and Attorneys from acting as
Commissioners for the sale of property made under
DEGREES in cases in which they have acted as
Counsel; and tho following bills
A bill requiring notice to be given to the master
of slave, charged with an offence, Of the time Of
his trial and
A bill changing the times Of holding the Circuit
Courts in the twelfth Judicial Circuit.
WEDNESDAY, Senate.-On motion of Mr..
Amber, the resolution, expressing coincidence at
the death of Henry Clay, and DAM. Webster. to-
gether with the amendment proposed by the House,
of inserting the name ''of Jno. e. Calhoun" was
laid on the table, not 10 be taken up again
The bill authorizing the erection of statue OF
Thos. Jefferson, at the University of Virginia,
was laid on the table by vote of ayes "a noes H..
Mr.. Braxton, from the Committee for Courts OF
Justice, reported House bill concerning the com
pensation of jurors Sc and bills in relation to the
County Court of Augusta and amending the 25th
section of chapter II of the act providing for the
election of justices of the peace, sc.
The bill to authorize the County Court of Au
gusta 10 extend its monthly terms and take cognl-
2ance of pleas of the Commonwealth atsuch terms,
reported by the Committee tor Courts of Justice,
with an amendment, striking therefrom the au
thority "to take cognizance of pleas of the Com
monwealth at such terms,'' was taken up. The
amendment was opposed by Mr.. Shelley, advocat-
ed by Mr.. Amber, and agreed to-ayes ~. noes
Is. On Mr.. ShacEleford's motion, the bill was
then laid on the table,
The bill authorizing the Orange and Alexan-
dria Railroad Company to connect with Lynch
burg, was made the order Of the day for Wednes-
day next.
House.-Mr. Tomlin, from the Committee of
Privileges and Elections, presented report rela-
tive to the case of G. r. G. Price, the Delegate
from the county of Hardy, and on motion of Mr.
Imboden the report was made the orIer OF day tor
Wednesday, the 18th.
The Speaker presented communication from
the Governor, enclosing series of resolutions a.
dopted by the General Assembly of the State OF
Connecticut, at its session in May last, relative to
the Compromise acts and Fugitive Slave law, ex-
pressing their concurrence in the same, and ad-
herence to their constitutionality Laid on the Ia
BILE and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Lewis, moved to take up the resolutions
laid on the table at the last session, in relation to
the removal of the Capital from the city Of Rich
mond After some discussion in which Mr.. Lew
is took a very active part, the House refused to
take up the resolution by vote Of ayes Is, noes
| ITO.
The bill from the Senate, providing for the in,
corporation of a Company to construct railroad
from Richmond to some point on the York river,
was taken up, and after various amendments made
thereto. ordered to be engrossed for a third read
ing.
A resolution, inquiring into the expedency of
giving to the Governor the appointment OF ma
ioritv of the Directors of the Banks of the State,
was offered and referred to an appropriate Com
mittee.
Bills were reported for establishing several new
Banks in different parts of the State.
THURsDAY.-Senate.- Shelley called up
the bill in relation to the County Court of Angus
Ia
Mr.. Deneale moved reconsideration Of the vote
by which the amendment proposed by the Commit
tee for Courts of Justice was adopted. The prop
osition to reconsider was agreed to.
The amendment was then voted down.
Mr.. Shelley proposed an amendment, limiting
the period within which the Court ''shall take
cognzance of pleas of the Commonwealth" to two
years, which was agreed to, and the bill was then
passed.
Housc.-A large amount of business was trans
acted, but nothing of general interest.
FRrDAY-Senatc-A report was made from a
committee declaring it inexpodient to lcgislate on
the subject of paying jurors.