Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-02-01
Virginia LEGISLATURE.

Virginia Legislature.
/ MONDAY, JAN 3d. Senate. = The Commute
1 ON Courts of Justice recommended the rejection
the petition OF citizens of Augusta and Rocking
ham asking that James Black be restored TO TIT
j rights of a citizen Of this Commonwealth
| A number of turnpike bills, making small aP
Preparations, were passed.
Mr.. Paxton called up the joint resolution TO au
thorize the establishment Of a Medical School II
the city of Richmond, in connection with the Uni
versity of Virginia, and it was agreed TO-.
The bill for the suppression of the circulation o
small notes was taken up, and an amendmentpr
posed by Mr.. Parker, to strike out the provision
of the bill for imprisoning those who violate the
law by the circulation of small notes In case OF
their failure to pay the fine imposed. A lengthy
discussion ensued on this motion, the bill was laid
upon the table, and the Senate adjourned.
House.-There was very little business trans
acted the entire day, with the exception OF about
half an hour in the morning, being occupied by
debate upon a resolution offered by Mr.. Iomiln,
as follows: Resolved, by the General Assembly,
that the Joint Committee heretofore appointed 10
inspect the books and examine into the proceed
ings of the Bank Of the Old Dominion, be and are
hereby required to make similar investigation
relative to the several Banks Of this Common
wealth located in the city of Richmond. 1t was
adopted with the following amendment, offered by
Mr. Koiner: sand such other Banks OF the Com
monwealih as seem 10 them proper" After de-
bate, the resolution was adopted-aye 49, noes 80.
TuEsDAr.-Senate.-T resolutions authori-
zing an investigation of the proceedings of the
banks of the city of Richmond, was, on motion OF
Mr.. Deneale, laid on the table,
Mr.. Ward reported bill creating a fund for the
perpetual maintenance OF a system OF primary or
free schools throughout the Commonwealth.
Several bills of minor importance were passed.
House.-Committees made reports, including
vast number from the Committee of Roads, &C.,
for Improvements generally of minor importance.
The Senate bill increasing the capital stock of
the Manassas Gap Railroad was taken up and dis
cussed Mr. Jackson, ofWood, advocated gen.
eral system of Improvements. involving an appro-
priation of eight millions of dolars.
The following resolution, offered by MIR. Wi
ley, was adopted: us .rsv 9tio 7s
RcsoLred That the special committee to exam
inc into the affairs of the Bank Of the Old Domin-
ion be required to investigate the affairs of the
Trans-A lleghany Bank of Virginia, in the county
of Tazewel. t a'
WEDNEspAY.-Sen A communication was
received from the Governor giving his reasons fer
the exercise Of Executive clemency in the several
cases mentioned. The same communication was
laid before the House. ,e
House.-A Senate bill increasing the capital
stock of the Manassas Gap Railroad Company be-
ing the order of the day, was taken up and passed
by the following vote-ayes 100, noes ~" The
bill provides for an increase OF the capital stock OF
the road, threefths of four hundred thousand dol
lars. f,.
The engrossed bill providing for the completion
of the Covngon and Ohio road, was taken upand
read third time. Subsequently ryder TO the
bill was offered by Mr.. Boyle of Tazewel, which
was read first and second time, and the question
being put upon ordering it to engrossment, the
same was decided in the negative.
-Senate.-The bills relating to the
Norfolk and Petersburg road and the Lynchburg
and Gordonsvie road were further considered,
but without coming to a final vote on either.
House The bill to provide for the completion
of the Covington and Ohio Railroad being the or
der of the day, was, on motion, laid on the table
and made the order of the day for Wednesday
next.
FRIpAY.-Senate.-'Th Alexandra and Cor
louisville extension was taken up and discussed.
House.-The principal part Of the day was oc-
cupied in discussing bill authorizing the Virginia
Central Railroad Company to construct another
track from some point on their road east of Char
lottesville to Richmond. substitute was Offered
by Mr. White, to incorporate an Independent Com
| pany to construct road within these points on
James S. French's principle. The bill and sub
stitute were, on motion of Mr.. Tomln, indefinite
" postponed, the vote being for the motion, IL
against 1t 81.
SATURDAY Senaie.-A large number of bills
were reported among them one authorizing the
construction of statue of Thomas Jefferson.
Mr.. Deneale, from the Committee on roads, sc.
reported bill for the better security Of persons
travelling on Railroads
The Senate proceeded to the consideration o
the bill authorizing an appropriation to the exten
sion of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad tt
Lynchburg The bill was debated and then de-
feated by vote of Is to 20.
House.-Nlr linn moved to suspend the rule
Of the House, for the purpose of reconsidering TIT
vote rejecting the Senate bill authorizing the con
struction of second track by the Virginia Contra
Railroad Company from some point on their roat
east of Charlottesville to Richmond. After som,
debate. the question was put and decided in the af
irmatve-62 to So Mr.. linn then moved Il
lay the bill on the table-agreed to. a
The LATE CAPT. HANsos.-The Harrison
burg Republican, referring to the proceedings o
Congress, says:
We notice, amongst other doings, that the com
mittee on invalid pensions, have reported adverse
In on the petition, presented by MIR. Letcher, o
| the widow of Capt w. X. Hanson, for pension
on account of the services of her late husband
1t will be recolleeted that Captain Hanson distln
guised himself in defending the citizens OF tlorl
! da from outrage and massacre during the Semi
mole war of 1887, and was complimented by thu
Commander in Chief and the President for hi
gallantry and efficient services. The Legislature
of Florida voted him sword for his successful
efforts to defend her citizens, their wives ant
children from savage violence. During this ser
vice Capt. Hanson contracted a disease iron
which he never recovered and which caused hi
death in few wears after his return. Now
whilst the Hon. Representatives of the people o
the United States, could spend two whole days
an expense of some four thousand dollars, IN con
sidering and passing resolutions laudatory oil
Inpraham, who ''vindicated the rights OF Mar
tin Kozta. half naturalized foreigner, they coul'
not vote pension of a few hundred dollars yea
TO the widow and child of the gallant officer WIN
has sacrificed his life in defending the lives ant
property of hundreds of native born citizens OF tn
Country!
SMALL NorEs.-The Legislature is still ham
merng away at the "shinplaster nuisance" as
is called. The collected wisdom of the State ha
been much agitated on the subject. We hav
been waiting very patiently for results-preferrin
rather 10 watch the grand denouemcnt than tn
steps by which it is attained. The latest klnk
we believe, is to require persons to take oath tina
they will not circulate small notes-as if ther
were not binding obligation on every man to up
hold the law without swearing to do it. Morec
yer, if the swearing system becomes too common
people will come after while to regard none 9th
er than those laws which are sworn to. So tina
to mike all laws effectual the oath system vii