Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-25
LEGISLATURES OF VIRGINIA.
WEDNESDAY,. DECEMBER, Is.
-o,-s1, or nEI,EGATES

&c. reported bills: C;-.,o,,;,,s road
company; ,... 81 J,n,sr,
To Incorporate the Martins Bottom and hunters
vile turnpike company;
An,borizine tho Charleston, Ripley and Ravens
wood turnpike company to increase tneir oAp"-
stock; A., p.L. and
Granting certain privileges to the Petersburg anu
Steubenyille rail road company;
70 increase the capital stock Of the Wythe turn
pike company; , ~ ,u.do,ovi,Ie
Incorporating the Wooas'och 'nu
To provide for the opening and repairing of public
roads and for repairing and building bridges in the
county of Brooke,
Amending the act authorizing the construction OF a
state road from Franklin, in Pendleton to Monterey
in Highland county. This is the hundredth bill re-
ported 49,. o,;,, of cb.ntor &c of the
Coda TO give turnpike companies the right OF way
onIu in ina lands condemned for the turnpike.
o" ~ s.tsnd the Middeway and Gsrardstown turn.
;ts and 10 authorize an increase in the capital stock
of the said company
Mr. HAymosD from the committee OF Courts, re-
MI hill giving the consent of the State of Vir.
80 20 the General Government for the purpose OF
erecting light house in the county OF Accom mn,
Ma JOHNSTON, from the committee OF FINANCE
MERCHANTS LICENSES.
rL Spr,urR presented communication from the
Auditor of Public Accounts, transmitting state
mani showing the amount assessed as tax on iner
chants licenses, by returns o. tne G IssH VI
the revenue for the years 1890 ana 1901.
On motion of Mr.. Cox, the said documents were
laid upop the table. and ordered to be printed.
REPORTS FROM BANKS.
The SPEAKER presented reports from inc otlcers OF
ar;ons hanks in this State, in response to resolutions
adopted by the House some days since. They were
referred to the committee on banks
RECESS FOR CHRISTMAS.
Mr., DAVIS offered the following resolution:
Al. han oHt IN
asy with the consent oil the SENATE lake recess I'LL
Wednesday, the Both inst.
NJ H,yMosp said that the time was when there
WINS no limit to the sessions OF the Legislature. 1t
was now restricted by the Constitution which intended
that the Legislature should remain IN session ninety
Who ia to BIZ accommodated The members who
design TO return home, will 60 whether this resolu-
ton be adopted or not. lie wanted TO 60 home as
much az any man in the body, but It the House Is 10
adjourn. let II adjourn altogether, and not use the
technical word 'recess" His objections to the
uton were these. He desired 10 give the Constltu-
ton fair trial he wanted to see 1t put through, and
it's purposes understood aud, If the time 1t allows 10
not sufficient for the TRANSACTION OF tne Puo!c ous
n.ss let il be- amended The period of the pro
nosed recess was about onetenth of the time allowed
nv the Constitution. He would remain here from
day Ia day, and aid other members VINO would DO
likewise, in advancing the bills upon the calendar,
80 that when the absent members returned, they
done four wears ago, and it operated we'll.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Taylor, said that he had voted
against the previous resolutions to ADJOURN but II WIS
apparent this morning, from the number OF vacant
seats and the certainty of the absence OF Others mat
there will be no quorum here. His views were slmI-
lar TO those expressed by the gentleman from Marion,
fMr. HAYMoND,) but being convinced that there
would not be quorum, he could not see the justice
Of keeping the officers OF the House here, when the
members did not propose to remain themselves. FOR
t,atp tA
Mr. HAYMoNp disolamed any desire TO punish the
officers but il there any who ought 10 remain AZ
their posts il is the officers The members receive ~
per diem, and e1pend &c. The clerk receives $500
for only three months service except 'na ne nos lne
keeping Of the rolls.
Mr. CHRISTIAN inquired what length OF ,ime would
be required to get through with the calendar.
The SPEAKER replied that the docket now on the
successive days, provided the Houae would not IN
t.rrupt the regular progress Of business.
Mr. JOHNSON, in reply to Mr.. RAYMOND, remarked
that the salaries Of officers had nothing to do with the
question before the House Whether the clerk re-
caived $40 or $l0OU0 was question not now to be
considered, As the salary vas fixed by law:
Mr. DAVIS said the business of tho House could
NOT be expedited by Mr. HAYMoSD's plan, as lac
knew of a member who designed TO remain and csIl
for count daily in which event i would be ascer
tanned there was not quorum, and hence there could
only be an adjournment from day to day. Mr ID.
said that he was only young politician but was IN:
dependent enough 10 do what le thousn 10 Do right
and proper He did not come hare to trim llis gals to
catch popular favor. On looking over the st OF those
who voted ainst the previous propositions for re-
cess he had discovered that almost all OF them are
no absent from their Seats Ii seemed as II gentie'
men were ac:usted in their votes by desire Tor the
uueuviabs distinction of place in the columns OF
the local papers, The observance OF Christmas was
a good old custom which ought not to be dispensed
with even il the Constitution reQulredh.
Mr. HAYMoSD said, in reply that If Mr. DAVIS had
no respect for the county of Marion the time would
come wben members ought to have some respect Tor
ih.mselves The gentleman who expresses suspicion
in regard to the course of Others is liable to the same
charge, Mr. H. denied that he was acting for pun
combe'' Hs had taken upon himself the responsl.
bility of delegate, and intended to discharge tns
duties of hs position in accordance with the views OF
thoss whom he represented. 1t was unfair to charge
him with "buncombe," and he hurled back the mpu'
ation as he felt it his duty to do, with the remark
that he who is suspicious of bis neighbour ought 10 oe
suspected himself.
| The vote WAS then taken, and the resolution was
adonted-yeas Sc, nays ~.
| CONTESTED ELECTION.
| The report upon the contested election from the
counties of Randolph and Tucker came up as the or
der of the day, and WAS, on motion of Mr.. DEAR
sETTE laid upon the table and made the ORDER OF the
day for the 18th pro1
| THE LIEUT.. GOVERNOR.
The bill to provide for filling vacancies in the office
of Lieut. Governor was, on motion ct MIR. MASSEY
| of ROckOr0ge, upon tuo VI
| der of the day for the 5h proI.
| CLERK OF SoTTOWAY COUNTY.
| On motion of Mr.. GREGORY, Senate bill TO allow
In. county court of Nottoway TO increase the com.
pensation to its clerk. was taken up and passed.
| INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Mr. CHRISTIAN offered resolution TO make all bills
connected with the subject of internal improvement
the order of the day. scrtat' as they stand upon the
calendar, for the li,h Of January, and from day to
day thereafter Objection being made, the resolution
| lies over under rule of the House.
| JAMES RIVER AND KASAwHA COMPANY.
On motion of Mr.. DEJARSETTE. it was
| Resolved, That the President of the James River
! and Kanawha Company be required to furnish the
House with list of the salared officers Of the said
| company and the compensation paid to each; also.
statement of the gross receipts and net profits result
ing from tolls and all other sources OF Income.
On motion of Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Taylor. it was
Resolved, That the COMMITTEE OF Finance be IN
structed to make such enquiry into tile affairs OF tht
James River aud Ksna~ha company as to ascertain
whether such company has no revenues or resources
that might be properly applied to the payment OF tn
interest on the bonds of said company guaranteed oJ
this Commonwealth, 30 as to relieve the Treasury
from the future payment Of such interest; and whn
Legislation is necessary to compel such company t
90 apply portion fits revenues.
| sHERIFFs BONDS.
The Senate bill concerning the bonds Of sheriffs wa
| taken up, and the Senates amendment to the amend
ment of the House amended, and forthwith com
mup;cated 10 the Senate with the said amendments.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
On moton of Mr.. HARPER, twas
Resolved, That tue Board of Public Work
be requested TO communicate to the House the nnm
Der Of days Board has been in session in each yea
sinoe the organization Of the new Board and tn
number Of days each commssioner has been engaged
in examining the internal improvements OF the Com
mouwealth since the commencement of this term.
| GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
| On motion of Mr.. SLGAR, it was
Resolved, That go much of the Governors Messag
as relates the subject of insurance be referred to
select committee.
PROTECTION OF sLAvE PROPERTY.
, On molten of Mr.. SEoAR, il WAS
| Resolved, That q select committee be appointed Z
enquire into the eIpediency of go amending the in
spection Law passed March 18th, 1856, az TO provide
more eectua protection for the slave property of cit
| liens Of the Commonwealth.
| FREE NEGROES.
On motion, of Mr.. HowERroS, certain papers upol
the files of The House, we're referred to the committee
Oh I'D ITO