Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-01-11

LEGIkLLTCRE OF VIRGINIA.
TUESDAY, JAW. S.-iDErERRED PRocELnlSGs.
HOCSE OF DELEGATES.

IL the surveys made 10 the Coal fields in the county
| Hampshire, by the Alexandria, Luuduuu and flau1p
shire Rail k"ad, IL point said surveys At or neh
the town OF Winchester, and report tie same 10 th'
next General Assembly.
Mr. BRASNov.-I think il is proper that that reso
luton should be modified, it being imperative in II
| character. II seems To ine il would ha better u
frame it in conformity with the resolutions of enquiry
usually offered.
| Mr.. PAKsnNs.-The resolution Is one of pecull"
character and has reference 10 am specific "h]rc
of an internal Improvement character Of strictly
| local interest which would render s reference "b
iecticnable upon the grounds presented by the gen
| tlemnu.
The SPEAKrR.-Does tho gentleman from Lewis
| lMr. BRASSoS) make Il motion to modify the reso
| lutnnl
| Mr.. BRAsNoH-No, sir. will permit the sense Of
| the House to be- taken upon it.
Mr.. FLoYD.-Ihe position which the COMMITTEE
on Roads and Internal Navigation occupy before the
House, is, 10 say the least Of H. very unenvaDIe
one. There nre two horns 10 thc dilemma ana inc
committee have choice of huisny itself upon ELMER
There are pending before them applications III
vOlving amount Of 5000 600, while there II NOT
one dollar in the treasury, if we are rightly informed
Gentlemen come before the committee and lnsist
upon getting bills reported TO this House asking ap
preparations OF money from tho treasury, MS though
its condition such as TO justify the most .xtrhVh.
giant outlay. Ia View Of the crippled condition OF
the State finances, the committee on Roads have
come 10 the conclusion to adopt particular rulr-a
|
find il exceeding difficult TO adhere IL: that, whilst
understand the absolute and imperative nece.slty
that rests upon the Legislature to make approprt.
tions for some works Of internal Improvement, ana
net in conformity with that necessity, we would not
make appropriations for any internal improve
Ineut projects. suppose there is not gentleman in
this House who will say that every bill reported by
the committee OIL Roads containing appropriations
ought to be passed. And yet we will doubtless be
censured by many because, acting according 20 this
rule, fail to report bills asking appropriations Tor
works not yet commenced. What tiirn, aru we To
do! live should act III accordance with the wishes
of tho patrons OF the several billie before W., what
would be the result Why. it would 90 forth to the
wnrll-!t would 20 forth to captaliss-that Virginia
is hurrying headlong into reckless and rXtravagant
appropriations. Is not this consideration to be duly
reflected upon by this House |, the present dHPi-
dated condition of our finances matter not 10 be
regarded, when come to net upon these nppropri-
alton bills That question iced not answer. II Is
answered already in the mind Of every member who
heurs
What then, are we to dol Are wa 10 discrirni-
nate We necessarily must. And what general ralc
adopt, which would more ceCtlally guarantee
wise aud proper DETERMINATIONS than thar which We
have adopted, namely: that refuse report to this
House any bills making appropriations of money
10 any new work OF internal inpro,
Some rule must be adopted. discrimination
must be made where; und if we were to report
bills ndlocrmlna'ely laprrcbend the gentlemen who
most favor this policy, would vote Ia opposition Ia
this House. Then, sir, we in committee, arc merely
doing tlIat which the gentlemen themselves would
do ii bills were reported to this House. without any
effort at determinations ask them, il notbe
OF the committee proper, just and wise! II II l.,
feel assured tho House will su.,aiu them.
Suppose come in here with an avalanche of
bills; how long would it take this House 10 dispose
ot them! What would II cost the Commonwealth Of
Virginia put thssr bills through the necessary
tinal What good result from such n tourae!-
What advantage can il he 10 the individuals VIII"
would seek tu establish such state Of thi !gs, aud
the section Of country which they representa- What
advantage, whH: honor can II confer upon the Legis
lature; aud what 10 the CUmmonve WEALTH. SIR 4 II
was Il mere .natter Of personal courtesy, cm sure
that the committee would feel ss do; that cons. dc
ration Of aoo.. however srduuus within the sphere OF
;hei. duty members Of that committee, would
weigh with them. But, sir, matter which
comes up for the legislation Of the Commonwealth
~ Virginia, be deemed question OF personal coGr.
;esyl Sir, whAi The duties that devolve npon
all as representatives u! the people! Do We Come
here 10 demand al the hands vi committee, or OF
enc su,ihcr. personal courtesy! Can the people pay
lie piper at the OF .uJO day, While their rep
reicu:atIves sr" Exchanging personal court=sirs 10
one en";her We come hero 10 discharge duties 4
:.c C0mr!onUea!'h, 10 take care oi .c Interests oil
tho pc ,p.r ami lm sure that there Is gentleman
81 TINS hno: who would accept the passage OF Oil!
upon the terms VI Personal courtesy 10 Lin. II
be would not do So. how then can /! be esteemed II
violation Of personal courtesy 10 refuse 10 report bills
tpancal!coudituu OF the Commons ealth'
This, then, 10 tho course which the committee has
deemed proper TO pursue, and II there was dtpar,
lure from il, Us had been sinted lew days cgO-and
| believe there wnst Yves through iIaiVcrt"nee ana
occurred IN but o.c Instance. The coinnIteeis but
m instrument in tho hands Of the Legislature lhey
are ;hcrc to cnrry OFT their Objects, and IT Is their
desire that they shall report all bills they have only
Ia say 3d. aud The committee feel assured, will en-
dcavur to carry out the will OF tho House i'll that re-.
svect II we have pursued dtfer;nt line oi action
from that Just referred TO, because VIC supposed 1t
would be- agreeable to The House, and would tend to
ndvAucc the interests of the Commonwealth
This sir, has beeu discussed over ana over again
by the Committee and the result of their repeated
discussions has been the conclusion which nave
given in tho early purt OF my REMARKS and IT Is Tor
the Legislature 10 say whether that conclusion Is WHe
ar the reverse In Inc course which the committee
have pursued they have only committed themselves
against certain clns- OF improvements ana 'hsy
have reported 10 this House, III conformity win Inc
rules referred 10, class of bills which, am pursua-
d.d IN, interests of the Commonwealth Will drive
members TO vote against There are some "orNs !""'
,nu.t ms COMPLETED. To withhold appropriations
from them would, N my opinion he injurious 10 me
interests Of the Commonwealth. The committee III
discriminating between the various pr9ec's OF All w.
formal Improvement character, selected those mos
closely identified with the prosperity ot the Stae'
and best calculated Ia impnrt greater security 10 Der
credit by expedtng the development ut her vhst RE-
sources to which she must look as the basis OF her
futur. advancement. | appeal 10 the House 10 say
whether the rule which the committee has adopted Is
q wise one or not. lhe decision VIII 6oN"'n ''e"' "
their future action. A., .L
gentleman took this occasion to give his views so iny
upon this question, when no subject was before tAc
Inuse that could call for such extended remarKs.-
Whenever any question comes up proposing arrvcr'
sal of the HciUn of tho Committee on Roads II IL
my purpose to fully into tho subject aud 10 re-
view Us closely | can, tho course OF that commit
rnittee will take occasion to say, III reply 10 'l'
p.utl.nan that ~ far rs personal courtesy Is con-
ccrued there is no gentleman in tliis House wn" sup
DOSES that that committee was deficient oi 'His h'h'
quality. Certainly would charge no want OF couF
tcsy upon the distinguished gentleman VINO preslue'
over that committee. But, sir do rot propose upon
this occasion, engage in nny review "f me hctio'
of this committee there being no question before 'h'
| House which would demand amy remarks III his con
| nccrion. | do not agree with the gentleman IRON
| Hnmp.hire, iMr. PARsOSsl that the resolution wa;
surh ms not To require modltcatIon SD rs 10 proven
! IL, controlling the action ui the committee
| Mr.. TREDwAY-l beg leave I" u!!er the inlio"lhl
| amendment or substitute: strike ont Ill alter tHr ""''
"r.sOved" and insert; that the committee on ho"u
and Internal Navigation be Instructed MOI 10 rep''
any bills for appropriation of money Ia work OF III
trrmal Improvement not heretofore begun.
! Mr. BR,SSoS.-l move 10 lay the resolution an
substitute OH the table for the present; and pron7
| the gentleman, tMr PARsoHs,j VIII move a. I"
early duy, to tukr It up.
Mr.. Bass EXPRESSED opposition t" laying II on u
table, being anxious that this question should b
tested at once. =.
The question Oh laying the resolution md subs;'
tutc on the table, WIS then. put and decided IN tn
| negative.
| Mr. BRASSoH.-l regret the House did not consci
o Law the resolution on the table, for desire, M III
proprr time to have test vote rs 10 whether I'M
House will confne appropriations TO Nil new work
without regard to their Importance. had hoped 10
gentleman from Roanoke tMr. BAss) would snfe
tho resolution to be laid the table, since the obec
which he desires to accomplish would not be defeaic
by that conrse. II is only deferrng the ties: vote
short time longer, and, he may rest assured, that
will. in due time, move TO call up the subject.
Mr.. Basin Difference TO the wish If the gentle
man, shall withdraw all objections 10 It's hcIng lhi
upon the table. |, therefore, move 10 lay the resolr
| nm on tl,p table.