Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-02-24
Lesislatnre nfYirrinia.

oVo; ny MI DauSnCrey, WIN S5,OUU. Lie res
olution was laid on the table.
The bill for the consolidation of the North
western Virginia and Baltimore 81 Ohio Rail
roads being up, Mr.. Stuart delivered speech IL
opposition to it. He contended that this con
solidation would give the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad the power to render the Covington and
Ohio Railroad utterly useless. 1t would bring II
within seventy eight miles of the Sandy river
which, with its capital and energy, it would
reach long before the Covngton and Ohio Road
would make a terminus there. If Virginia wa;
TO strike her flag and surrender her interests to
Maryland, he demanded that it should be un-
conditional, He and his colleagues from the
valley would come here and ask that the rail
road from Baltimore through the valley be built
and that she be allowed to enjoy its fruit. But
he hoped no such state of things was in contem-
plation, and that wiser, more comprehensive, and
more patriotic views would prevail. He spoke
of the new line of steamers about to be inaugu-
rated between France and the port of Norfolk;
and in glowing terms described the results to a.
rise from this direct trade. Louis Napoleon, the
wisest monarch who has filled the throne of
France since the days of Charlemagne, has seen
the advantage of developing commerce, and is
seeking to blot out the stain of Waterloo, not by
the blood of Englishmen, but by outstripping
their country in trade. He has seen that Eng
land has possession of New York, and he has
seen the necessity of building up trade with
the South r
Messrs. Brannon and Deneale replied briefly
to Mr. Stuart. The vote being taken, the bill
was defeated-yeas %, nays %.
House.-The Speaker presented commuuca-
ton from the Governor recommending the pass
| of Of IaGp nj fba of
application for an extra session of the General
Assembly, &C. The Governor stated that if the
Legislature adjourned without taking action on
the subject, he should not call an extra session
without some extraordinary and unforeseen
cause. The message was referred to the COM
mittee OF privileges and elections, with instruc-
tons to report Immediately.
The adverse report of the committee of finance
on numerous petitions asking a change in the
mode of taxation as regards merchants licenses
was taken up and discussed
TUEsDAY.-Senate.-A bill was reported a.
mending an act regarding the repairing of roads
in Augusta and other counties.
1t. Gov. Jackson asked the indulgence of the
Senate to make privileged communications
He called Mr. Rives to the chair and left the
Senate. The Clerk then read letter from Mr..
Jackson stating that the Auditor, Mr. Bennett,
had informed him that Senator had preferred
a grave charge against him (Jackson) which if
true would prove him unworthy to occupy his
present position. A letter from Mr.. Bennett to
Mr.. Jackson, which was read, states that he
| (Bennett) heard Senator Caldwell, of Ohio coun-
ty, denounce Mr.. is conduct in reference to the
bill for the consolidation of the Northwestern
Virginia and Baltimore q Ohio Railroads--that
but for Mr. Us management the bill would
not have received five votes-that his conduct
was prostitution of his official position, and
was impeachable
Mr.. Coghil offered a resolution that the mat
ter be referred to committee of seven, which
was adopted after some debate. During the de-
bate Mr. Caldwell stated that he made the
lcharge under considerable excitement, and that
the language was broader than he Intended
The chair appointed the following committee :
Ooghill, August, Floyd, Smith, Brannon, Stuart
and Johnson.
The bill appropriating $500, 900 to the Coving-
ton g. Ohio Railroad being up, Messrs. Bruce and
Beae discussed it at length.
House-Mr Paxton, from the special commit
tee on the 'oyster fundum," presented volum-
nous report, and, also bill to regulate the TAX
ing of oysters in the waters of the Common
lwealth, so as to raise n revenue theretrom, and
tprevent the OBSTRUCTION of oysters. Mr.. Jones,
of Gloucester, presented written protest against
the proceedings of the committee.
A bill was reported defining the weight Of
ton $1,000 pounds averdupos.)
Mr.. Heath concluded his argument against the
present system of taxing merchants licenses,an
the discussion was continued by other members.
The question pending was motion to reverse
the report of the committee, which was deter
| -, +hay tive no
WEDNESDAY, Ssnate- select committee
on the case of the 1t. Governor and Senator Cald-
well. reported that the latter says he has now no
charge to make against the former. The com.
mittee reported also resolution expressing con-
idenoe in the honor and integrity of the 1t.
Governor, which was unanimously adopted.
The bill approprating 100000 to the Coving-
ton and Ohio Railroad came up and was debated.
Mr.. Deneale offered ryder authorizing the
Board of Public Works, in the year 1860, to
borrow 100000 to be appropriated to the
road, and the same sum every year until the
road is completed, provided the aggregate does
not exceed S10,000,000. The ryder was lost,
and the bill passed-yeas 81, nays II.
| Howe-Mr johnson, from the committee of
Finance reported bill increasing the compen-
,aton of the Secretary of the Commonwealth
TO $1,S00)
The bill to organize the militia was taken up
and debated Several amendments were reject
ed. and the bill passed-yeas SO, nays 40.
| THURSDAY .-Sendtc.-The Bank bill came up
as the order of the day, aud after several inef
fectual efforts to amend, was passed to its en-
grossment. The bill prohibits any bank or
branch to pay out, in any way, after August,
1858. notes of less denomination than 500. Per-
sons obtaining license for the transaction of bust
ness shall only do so on taking an oath that
they will not pay out notes of less denomination
than $40. No collector of the revenue shall pay
out any note issued by bank out of the State,
of less denomination than $40. 1t shall be the
duty of commissioners of the revenue and of the
courts to whom application for license shall be
made, to require the person applying to make
oath not to pay out, after 1st of August next,
auv bank note issued within the Commonwealth,
of a less denomination than $40; and after tile
lst of August, 1859, of less denomination than
500. They may, however, pay to the collectors
| of the revenue bank notes of less denomination
than $40, after August j, 1858, and until Jan.
l. 1859 These collectors of the revenue shall
paw these notes into the Virginia, Farmers, and
Exchange Banks, at Richmond and those Banks
shall transmit them to the Banks issuing them,
and receive for them SO notes, or mutiples OF
ten. The penalty against collectors OF the reve-
nue. for violating the law is 500 fine for the
first offence and $500 fine for every offence at
ter the first The bill puts railroad and internal
improvement companies on the same footing
with sheris, sergeants, deputy sheriffs, and 9th
err collectors of the public revenue, with regard
to the offence and penalty.
House.-A bill was reported to abolish the
salary of the public printer.
The bill to authorize loan Of 100000 to the
Orange and Alexandria Railroad was taken up,
ond Mr. Rarbopr of Culneper, advocated its