Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-05-12
LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA,


MoNDAY, May 3.-Senate.-A report was made,
declaring it inexpedient to pass liquor law SINH
lar tothe liquor law recently passed by the Leg
islature of Maine.
Several House bill were passed. and bill def
ming what shall constitute sufficient cause for a
divorce from matrimony, was under consideration.
at the time of adjournment.
House.-Reports from the Committee of Courts
of Justice were made: Against providing by law
for the publication Of synopsis Of all general laws
and statement of receipts and expenditures of the
State, in the apers-Against making an al
lowance to reimburse Sheriffs for expenses incur
red by them in holding the last two elections. &c.
On motion of MIR. Goode, of NJ. the order of the
day (the license tax bilD was postponed until
Tuesday
A resolution was received from the Senate, pro-
vlding for joint committee to form conjectural
estimate for tax bill, the Senate believing that
severalmonths must eapse before the taxable prop
crty of the Senate can be listed and reported to
the Legislature,and that an adjourned session will
be necessary unless tax bill can be passed upon
such an estimate.
Mr.. Leake offered a substitute for the resolution
of the Senate, proposing Committee on the sub
ject with instructions to prepare and report forth
with tax bill, in accordance with the principles
of the Constitution, upon the best estimates with
in their reach; and, also, to inquire into and report
the true amount of the actual Indebtedness of the
State which must be provided for by the present
session of the General Assembly
Laid on the table.
TUEsDAY.-Senate.-A bill was reported ''au-
thorizing the Orange and Alexandra Railroad
Company to extend their railroad to Lynchburg."
Mr. nopial tod h. Il H.,
physicians of Petersburg, praying the establish
ment of Board of Medical Examiners. (Refer-
red to the special committee on the subject
A bill amending the present laws in regard to
divorces from matrimony, was ordered to be en-
crossed for Sd reading
HolSe-The resolution of the Senate and Mr..
Leake's amendment came up and were debated at
length. The question of an adjourned session en-
tered into the discussion. Finally Mr.. Leake's a.
mendment was adopted.
WEDNEsDAY.-Senate.-M Watson, from the
Committe of Finance, reported against the expedi-
ency of abolishing the offices of the I'd Auditor and
Register of the Land Office
The resolution from the House in reference to
the proposed tax bill, was agreed to-ayes l9,noes
III.
Howe-The Speaker laid before the House a
communication from Dr. Thomas p. Atkinson,
President of the State Medical Convention of Vir-
ginia, enclosing the proceedings of the Medical
Faculty of Virginia, which lately assembled in
Richmond, and asks that the Legislature will aid
the Faculty in their "praseworthy efforts" as set
forth in the proceedings.
The Committee for Courts of Justice, reported
against any legislative action for reducing the per
centage of Sheris for the collection of taxes with
in the limits of incorporated towns and cities.
Mr.. Miller, of B., from the Commute Of Courts
of Justice, presented reports against granting the
prayer of citizens of Ohio county and various other
counties of the State, for Maine Liquor Law !;
and against submitting the question to vote of
the people; against the passage of any further en-
actments to suppress tipping houses; against pro-
hibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating
liquors. and against prohibiting the sale of liquor
to paupers; also, against imposing penalty on Of
ficers conducting elections failing to make returns
thereof.
A resolution, introduced by Mr.. Preston, calling
for information in regard to the Productions Of
Agriculture in the respective counties of the Com
as exhibited by the returns of the
seventh census Of the United States, gave rise to
an animated and lengthy discussion which, as it
progressed, assumed strong sectional character.
The resolution was adopted, together with an a
that said Agricultural productions be
classified by the Secretary of the Commonwealth,
according to the "Four Grand Divisions of the
State"
Mr. Goode Of NJ, gave notice that he would not
call up the license tax bill, for further consdera-
ton, until after the joint Finance COMMITTEE shall
have reported on the subject of the general tax
bill. ,rs l.g.H III 20 s'.na
THURsDAY.-Scnate.- were reported from
the standing committees
Concerning the salaries of certain officers of
government, compensation of the members and Of
ficers of the General Assembly, mileage, &c.. and
Providing for the volunteer enslavement of the
free negroes of the Commonwealth.
A House bill was passed allowing commission
ers for Henrico and Highland counties again to lay
off their counties into districts, &c.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of
the bill to amend the s'act concerning commission
ers of the revenue"-recently passed. After the
adoption of sundry amendments, on motion, the
Senate adjourned.
House.-A variety of business was transacted,
but nothing of general interest. Bills were passed
establishing Banks at Lexington and other pla-
FRIDAY.-Senate.-The preamble and resolu-
tons from the House of Delegates, in relation to
the decision of the Supreme Court in the Wheeling
Bridge case, were under consideration during the
greater part of this days session.
Ho,.seAThe bill providing for elections by the
people, for the apportionment of representation, the
qualification and privilege ofvoers, the meeting of
electors of President and Vice President, and pre-
scribng the rules for contested elections,
was made the order of the day for Wednesday
next
A bill extending the Manassa Gap Railroad from
Strasburg to point on the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad at or near Paddytown, was ordered to be
engrossed for third reading.
Other business was transacted, not ofgeneral In
terest.
SArURDAY.-Both Houses were engaged to-day
in very exciting discussion on the subject Of the
outrages committed by mob at the Governors
house on Friday night. Mr.. Lewis. iof Harrison,
offered resolutions in the House for the appoint
ment of joint committee, to enquire into the ex-
pediency of moving the Capitol from Richmond,
SC. Adopted-ayes SO, noes IS.
The Senate adopted resolution, agreed to BY
the House for the appointment of joint com nit
tee to investigate the matter.
"Spiritual Telegraph"
This is the title of paper, "devoted to the il
lustration of Spiritual Intercourse" the first No.
of which we have received, we presume from the