The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-05-10
Virginia L Legislature.
SATURDAY. May G.

SATURDAY, May {.
ne senate and House of Delegates were
~ on saturday, from the hour of meet
n,sia ai AZ CLOCK, until the adjournment, at
oaock, 10 very animated and exciting dis.
cuesion on the subject Of the outrnpes COM
ml.ted ny mob at the Governors house, on
Z Hday night, growing out Of the exercise of
the executives clemency in Committing the
punishment OF a negro who had been sentenced
to be executed on Friday las, for the murder
OF young jackson, of this city. We took CO.
pious ho'es OIL Inc numerous able and interest
ing speeches delivered on this cycling sub
ject; but find it Impossible, from want Of space,
TO publish them sufficiently full to do ANYTHING
likeJ TO the numerous speakers. We there.
fore omit any sketch of the debate. Messrs.
Robinson of Richmond city, Lewis. Ander-
son, Barbour, Wallace, Yerby, Butler. Leake,
Jackson Of d. d. T., Mcdonald, Taliaferro,
Jackson of ". g. W., Massie, Townes, BOYD,
Goode ofBedford, Segar, Howerton and Gar
nett, were the principal speakers. All repro
bated in the strongest terms the lawless and
disgraceful proceedings Of the mob on Friday
night at the Governors house. The only
question on which there was a difference of
opinion had reference to the degree of re-
sponsibility which should or should no, attach
to the citizens of Richmond, generally, for the
commission of the cutrages on that night
Messrs. Robinson, Butler and Anderson, as
the representatives. of the people of Richmond
in the Legislature, disclaimed, on behalf of all
the consderate and respectable portion of the
citizens, any countenance of, or participation in
the disgraceful proceedings at the Governors
house. A number Of persons, entitled to con-
sideration, had met at the City Hall to exel.
else the undoubted right OF expressing their
views in regard to a certain measure which
they complained of on the part of the Governor
of the State but il could not be presumed that
they anticipated, nor could the great body OF
the citizens of Richmond have anticipated the
disgraceful proceedings which followed. MIR.
Anderson said he was convinced that nine out
of every ten of the citizens of Richmond de-
plored, and as unmeasuredly condemned, the
riotous proceedings at the Governors house,
as any member on the floor of the House pos
sibly could. And this he and his colleagues
pledged themselves would be evidenced by the
course of the public authorities and the citi-
zens generally so soon as an opportunity
should be afforded them to do so.
The following are the resolutions, offered by
Mr.. Lewis, of H. rison, which the House
adopted on this subject, by vote of ayes SO,
noes 35. The noes agreeing In the main. but
favoring modification.
Resolved, That joint committee, consisting
of nine on the part of this House, and six on
the part of the Senate, be appointed to inquire
into the expediency of moving the Capitol of
the Commonwealth from the city of Rich
mond.
Resolved, That said committee further in
quire into and report to the General Assembly
q more central and convenient location for the
same, where the Executive of the Common
wealth can discharge his constitutional func-
tons without subjecting the dignity Of the Of
fee to insult, and his mansion to threatened and
overt acts of violence.
The following, offered by Mr.. Jackson, of
n G i IL
above, and adopted
Resolved, by the General Assembly, That
the said committee specially inquire whether
any Reporters of the Press of this city, who
are admitted TO the Reporters Desk of either
House ofthe General Assembly, were present
n ngs alluded TO- And IF sd aTg5 5 proceed
tee report who they were, and recommend a
proper course to be pursued by the House, in
order to vindicate its dignity.
The resolutions adopted by the Senate were
as follows:
Whereas, it is shown to the satisfaction of
the General Assembly, that the public funds
OF the Capitol of the Stale, and of the Execu-
tive mansion, were invaded, and the Governor
of this Commonwealth grossly insulted, on the
night of Friday, the 9TH inst, by lawless mob,
Therefore, be it
Resolved, unanimously, by the General As
semby, That committee of three, on the part
ofthe Senate, and FIVE on the part of the House
of Delegates, be appointed to enquire into the
facts Of the alleged outrage, with power to
send for persons and papers, and to report
whether any, and if any, what proceedings
ought to be taken by the Legislature in relation
thereto, and to prevent the recurrence of SINH
lar outrages.
The House also adopted, unanimously, the
above resolutions of the Senate-tAyes 12l !,
noes D
A feeble attempt was made by some of the
speakers to hold the citizens generally of Rich
mond responsible for the outrage on Friday
night at the Governors house. The moral
sentiments of the people, as people, were as.
sailed, and the most illiberal insinuations in.
dulged against them in their aggregate charac-
ter. The Delegates Of the city promptly and
properly repealed these attacks. 1t was shown
that mobs had their origin in other parts Of
virginia, and that an example had recently
been set for Richmond in the quiet and law and
order loving counties of Culpeper and GRAY.
son. Apart from this feature in the debate eli
Saturday, it was able, interesting and in all re-
spects SUCH as the occasion which gave rise 10
II demanded. We will not at present waste time
with any argument TO show the illiberaliiy and
the absurdity of such charge. We are will
ing to attribute its origin more to feelings OF
momentary excitement. than to the result of de.
llberate and sober reflection. If persisted in.
hswever, we shall take occasion to speak of il
as 1T deserves. In cOndemning the excuses Of
others, persons should be cautious 10 avoid
similar excuses themselves. We have known
the most ludlcrous and embarrassing effects 10
follow the explosion OF an overcharged blua.
derbuss.
On Sunday 9th instant, ANN ELIZABETH. in.