Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-01
Virginia Legislature.

Military Institute at he1'"sto' noih Ito e'''''''
ment 10 the close 1.-the last fiscal year.
A bill 10 consfuct branch Of the Covingto
and Ohio B1droad from Scary creek to Polr
Pleasant ~ the Board OF Public Works. and az
propria,1g 100000 for that purpose came up o
lis passage. After long discussion the bill wa
lo,( by vote of Is to Is.
] y The bill providing for the revision and compile
ton of the Geological Map Survey Of the State
and for the publication ofthe same-appropristnI
ga 900 thereto, was passed-ayes 80, noes l.
The bill for the erection of statue of Thoma
Jefferson at the University of Virginia. by Mr.
Gait and appropriating $4,000 for that purpos
was passed-ayes 81. noes l.
| House.-'The whole day, with the exception o
about half an hour in the morning, was occupied
in the discussion of bill to incorporate the Mo
nongahela and Ravenswood Railroad Company
The bill merely asked for right of way through
seven ofthe Northwestern counties, lying between
the Monongahela river and Ravenswood, on the
Ohio river, both of which points are to he the Ter
mini of the proposed road. Passed "a to "a.
TUEspAY.-Senatc.- bill authorizing G
loan to the Manassas Gap Railroad was passed
ayes Il, noes 7. l.
An act was passed increasing the pay of the
Clerk to $l25 per week.
The vote rejecting the bill to construct a branch
of the Covngton and Ohio Railroad from Scary tc
Point Pleasant was reconsidered. Mr. Hall offer
ed substitute for the original bill granting ma
ked charter 10 a company TO construct said road
which was ordered to be engrossed. tH
House-A communication was received from
the Senate, announcing the passage of several
bills, among them the bill providing lnr the revis-
ion and completion of the Geological Map and
Survey of the State. The bill was so amended
as to limit the salary of the geologis to 81 200
per annum, for four years. and after further consid
eratiun and debate, it was laid on the table.
The Senate bill authorizing the construction Of
a statue to Jefferson was passed--ayes 81, 40.
The Covington and Ohio Railroad bill was ia
ken up and considered the remainder Of the day
and at the night session. Several amendments
were offered, but no conclusion was reached.
-Senate.-A resolution was pass
ed, after some debate-ayes 81. noes 20-to hold
night sessions after Thursday the 23d.
The Logan, Raleigh Sc Turnpike bill was Ia
ken up and lost.
House.-The House commenced its morning
business, and had proceeded with the considera-
ton of the bills communicated from the Senate
but little way, when the rolling of the drums
gave token of the assembling of troops on the
Square, tn celebrate the day; and. on motion of
Mr.. Mallory, on this account and in respect 10 the
memory of Washington, the House adjourned by
vote Of ninety-t,oo to twenty eight.
THURspAY-Senate- THE bill concerning the
Northwest Virginia Railroad Company was pass
ed Also the bill increasing the capital stock of
the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Rail
road This bill authorizes States subscription
of three fths of $500, 600 for extending the road
from some convenient point on their present line
between Fredericksburg and Aqua Creek to the
city of Alexandria, OF TO some point the line Of
the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, between AL
exandria and Manassas station on said road.
Mr. Harris called uPa joint resolution Offered
by him on Wednesday, allowing the Sheriff Of
Augusta county the further time Of sixty days be-
yond the period fixed by he law for paying into
the Treasury the revenue of said county for the
current year. The resolution was passed.
The bill TO incorporate the Medical College was
taken up. An Amendments authorizing the Gov
erncr to fill vacancies in the Board of Trustees
was adopted. A discussion ensued upon the mer-
its of the whole subject. which lasted till the ad-
journmeRt
Houss.-The bill repeating the charter of the
Old Dominion Bank at Alexandria, was indeH-
nitely postponed. afler long discussion.
section of chapter 81 of the Code as TO increase
tbe maximum rate Of tuition for INDECENT children,
Ito six cents day. was considered and passed
ayes &c. noes d.
The bill to incorporate the Medical College was
taken up and after debate passed ayes "a NOES 3.
House.-After a variety of business, the Cow
ington and Ohio bill was taken up, but the House
being very thin it was laid on the table.
nfi m house.
From CALFoRNIA.-The steamship Northern
Light, at New York on the 23d ult., brings San
Francisco dates to the 3lst January.
The winter was unusually severe in California.
To Grass Valley and other places the snow was
two feet deep.
In the mountains near Stockton, the rains had
been violent The gulches were filled and the
miners were busy.
Later intelligence from Captain Walkers ex
pedition states that matters were apparently going
on prosperouslv President Walker had issued
decree dividing the Republic into two States,
named respectively the State of Lower California,
and the State of Sonora. Another decree changes
the name of the Republic from Lower California
to that of Sonora.
The sloop of war Portsmouth, and the Govern
ment mail steamer were TO sail from San Francis
CO for Lower California, TO look after Captain
Walker and his party.
The efforts of Major Oliver T. Baird. Quarter
master Of Walkers expeditonary party, to raise an
excitement in the town of Sonora in favor of the
new republic, seem to have been crowned with
success. A large, and it is said. quite an enthu-
siasic meeting Of the citizens was held on the 18th
January in response to call by Baird. MIR. Will
liam Williamson was called upon to preside, and
George S. Evans appointed secretary. The meet
ing was addressed by Major Baird, Col. b. F.
Moore and Ii. G. Worthington. On motion, Col.
Wood Thomas M'Nabb, and Will m Allen, were
appointed committee "to receive the signatures
of Those DESTROYS of embarking in the cause OF hu
manity that of liberating the poor and oppressed
citizens of the State of Sonora from the yoke of
tyranny under which they are now laboring."-
The place of meeting proved too small to contain
all who were anxious to participate in the pro
ceedinos. The meeting was in consequence ad
journed 10 Thursday evening. when 1t was to be
held in the large court house
Capt. Harry G. Powell arrived in Stockton on
the 18th ult, He gives. SAYS the Republican, a
very atteriny account of the prospects of the new
republic The expedition is being organized with
all p,ssihe desNich and it is expected that three
hundred men win leave this Slate for President
Walkers headquarters in few days. We have
seen the muster ROY of his company. and must
admit that it presents quite formidable appear
ance.
POLITICAL DEGENsRAcY-The Hon. John
Wheeler, one of the Hsrdshell Democrats from
New York, said in his recent speech in Congress.
that "there ,cas time inRe history Of this Gov
eminent when, to insure he success of a great
public measure, it was Mt NECESSARY to ask Does
the President approve ofiti How does Mr.
Guthrie feel on this subject P\'Won't Jefferson
! Davis take offence?' Will Caleb Cushing, in.
dependent III nothing but politics, sanction it?'
saw. sir. there time when such questions
would have been an insult 10 gentlemen on this
floor. That was the golden are Vt principle