The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-03-16
GENERAL ASSEMBLY or VIRGINIA.
Elk IRA SESSION.

/ A communication from the House was received
announcing the passage OF certain bills
| RHs Rspmted.--CoBeerning Commissioners
| the Revenue: Sundsy house bills regarding th
inspection OF lumber; establishing an iuspec,io
of tobacco at Nayo's and Dibrelfs warehouses i
| Richmond.
The Inra,cf,d bridging Of TIE Ohio Rirer.--Ml
CALDWELL called mp the house bill "for the prever
tion Of the unlawful bridging of the Ohio River.
Mr. WARTH eontended that the bill was e1 pos
facto in its nature aud therefore unconstitutiona
inasmuch as it proposed to confiscate portion 0
| bridge already erected.
At the request of Mr.. CALDWELL. the clerk Of th'
Senate read some evidence taken regarding fh'
progressing erection of bridge over the Ohio a
Steubenylle, showing that bridge having twt
piers and au ahutment on the Virginia side OF the
river is now being constructed "in defiance of tht
proprietary rights of Virginia.
Mr. ARMSTRONG moved to lay the bill on the tn
Bile.
Mr.. STUART said il was we'll known that a rail.
road company was building this bridge with the
avowai that IL they could only manage to slip II
through and finish it, they could get Congress ia
make il a post route aud make it legal. lie con
tended that the bill was not of an ex post fact
character. but looked to the future only in It's ope
ration. lie wished the bill passed this session
as, II it was done, this appeal by the company "a
Congress might be successful. and in any future
action tho Legislature might take, the authority
OF Virginia would come in conflict with that Of
the Federal Government
Mr.. BRASSoS was in favor of laying the bin on
the table.
Mr. CALDWELL called for the ayes aud nays on
the motion to lay on the table, which resnlipd al
follows
kins, Floyd. French, tat. wotd Neal of w., Paxton
Riyes. Smith ofJ.. Wsrth, West Yares-I4
asu
Huddleson. johnson, Layne, Logan, McKenne "
Smith ofG.. Stuart, Welch-I7.
The bill was then passed by the following vote
ATEs-Ambler, Armstrong August Bruce, rald
we'll, Claiborne, Coleman, DongIa. French. Hair
sIon. Hubbard, Huddleson, johnson Ltyne Logan
hlckenney. Rives, Smith of g., Stuart. WEIGH
NAYs-Beale. Prannon. Deskins. FLOYD. Gatewood
Ntalo W :, jackson. Warth, west-9
Itsttic IT6rds-Mr. NEALr, of Wood offered n
resolution, which was adopted, requesting the
Board of Public Works to furnish the.Senate with
a list OF the railroads and canals In the State with
the Common wealth's interest in the same; wbeth.
any all of said works be sold to do,ue,.
tic or foreign companies or individuals the nett
value of the stock and the highest and best off
for each or NIL of the improvements on a credit
not exceeding is years. The said Board of Public
Works TO advertise for bids for the same or pri-
yately negotiate, az they may deem lest.
adjournment The joint resolution of Mr.
CAMPBELL. for adjournment on the 22d inst. until
December, 1859 was called up by Mr. RIvRs
Mr.. RIvEs remarked that he felt utterly hope
less with regard Ito the transaction of public
business in the present condition of the two
houses He called the ayes and nays on the reso-
luton.
Mr.. SMITH, of g., was uncertain about the pro-
priety OF adopting the resolution.
Mr.. JOHNSON was prepared TO vote for the reso-
luton, he thought every thing to be done could
be done by the time named for adjournment.
Mr.. AUGUST was not prepared to vote for the res
olution. 1t was trne that there had been a thin
Senate, but if an adjournment were to take place
now, the object for which the extra session was
called would not be accomplished. lie went on to
no Won fpfr Nl,arl bpt Oh
Mr.. RIvEs thought that the adoption of the res
oiution would have the effect Of eansng both
branches of the Assembly to address, themselves
more clo.ely ty business.
S'r. SMITH. of J., moved to strike out 1859 in
the resolution and iusert 1858, thus taking the
responsibility upon the Legislature of having a
session next winter.
Mr.. CLAIBORNE opposed the amendment
Mr. PAXTON moved to lay the resolution for ad.
jnurnment on the table, which was done by the
following vote:
AYEs.-Messrs. Armstrong, August. Bruce. Des
kins. Douglas, Fiood. Floyd, French, Gatewood
Paxton. smith of G, Stuart. Warth, Welch-lo
NAYs,sessrs Beale. Branntn, Caldwell. Clai
Riv. =, Smith off west-Il.
Resolutions Of Inqury-By Mr.. JOHNSON, of max
ing it felony to sell beyond the limits of the
State an enlancipated slave, or one to be free by
emancipation. BY Mr.. STUART, of authorizing an
increase of the capital of the Central Bank of
authorizing it to establish a branch in Richmond
T.c Uuelting amnesty BU.-This bill originating
in the House, was reported from the Committee of
Courts of Justice. 1t grants amnesty 10 all
persons who have been engaged in duels up to
March LIST, 1858, and removes the disabilities at
taching to them. Mr.. AMBLER called up the bill.
Mr. ARMSTRONG opposed taking up the bill.
Mr. AMBIER urged the propriety of passing that
act of mercy to those who, by the harshness of
the laws in comparison with public opinion had
been placed in condition which honorable men
conceived TO be q degraded one
Mr.. HuDDLEsoN was much opposed as any one
to the practice OF duellDg, but should vote for the
bill. He would not consent to allow q cowardly
rascal to insult a man of better courage.
Mr.. LOGAN said the antiduelliDg law had met
the appreciation of the people of this State for
over half Il century, and so important was 1t con-
sdered that, it had been incorporated in the Con-
siitution. There never was an effort made TO mudi-
fy the law until the convention Of 1929 gave the
legislature the power to grant amnesty. The
same course was pursued by the convention of
1851. lie contended that granting these amnes
ties were glariDg inconsistencies. Gentlemen
spoke OF mercy and the psrdoning power. If
they intended it as an act of mercy to any who
had been betrayed into duels without deliberate
design, then let them single cut those cases and
bring them before the legislature for examination
Ii the law is wrong, repeal it. In this opposition
to the amnesty bill he meant to express opinion
with regard to the merits of the Rntiduellng
law, but he did mean to say that IT that law was
founded in right and reason its efficacy should
not be impaired by amnesties declared every four
or more years
The rules were suspended, and the bill put upon
its passage.
MIR. SMITH, of g., was disposed to support the
bill but should prefer to have further tune tor
consideration. lie moved to adjourn. The motion
was defeated.
Mr.. WARrH would state that be should vote for
the bil as he regarded IL rs merely pardon TO
those who had violated the law, and not q repeal
OF the law itself He did not approve of the code
of honor, but was in favor Of allowing gentlemen
10 settle their own affairs as they pleased il they
did not interfere with others. With reference to
the allegation that the people supported the anti
duelling law, he cited cases TO show the contrary
and expressed his desire that the law should be
blo,ted from the statute book.
Mr.. ARMSTRONG WAS opposed to dneiiing con-
scientiously, as u crime against human aud divine
law. lie demanded the ayes and noes on the pas
sage of the bill.
Mr.. SMITH, of g., was no advocate OF dneliing-
II WIS an absurd and foolish custom. condemned