Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-02-03
Legislature ofYirginia.

S-o'o"o ioT TIE ESTABLISHMENT vi Luud''S fiSy
lnm in The Trans Allegheny portion OF the state
House.-About one hundred and fifty bills
were advanced to second reading bill was
reported relnquishing the Commonwealth 5 right
10 certain house and lot, in Augusta county,
to Elizabeth, the widow, and to Patsy and Mary
uannfan, the infant children of John Hanntan,
decd.
TUEsDAY.-Senate.--A bill was reported a.
mending the act appropriating S2,OOO to the In
auguration of the equestrian statue OF Washing
ton so as to increase the sum appropriated to
So 900.
A bill was passed prohibiting the Board of
Public Works or other agents OF the state from
expanding larger sum on any work OF internal
Improvement than that appropriated by the leg
slature, and making them individually response
BILE for any such excess.
The bill making it lawful for wife to insure
the life of her husband for her own benefit, was
taken up.
Mr.. Stuart humorously remarked that he
thought the title of the bill was misnoner.-
1t should be "a bill giving wife the power to
insure the death of her husbaId;" being in fact
nothing less than bonus to married women to
make way with their husbands. AS married
man, he did notsseel in position to vote for it.
Mr.. Campbell thought it bonus for second
marriage.
After some further discussion in the same hu-
morous spirit, the bill was laid on the table.
HouSe.-A report adverse to changing the
mode of taxation as regards merchants licenses
was presented
The special committee on the subject reported
that in their opinion Board of Public Works
was necessary
The Senate bill approprating $4,000 for the
purchase of Barbee's statuary was debated and
rejected.
"WEDNESDAY Senate-Mr. Deneale, from the
Committee of Roads and Internal Navigation,
made report, which he stated was the produc-
ton of Mr. Stuart, of Augusta. The report
shows the exact ability of the State to make ap-
preparations to works of internal Improvement
On motion of Mr. Deneale, 500 extra copies of
the report were ordered to be printed.
The committee on the propriety of abolishing
the Board of Public Works reported that, in
their opinion, q Board of Public Works is ne
cessary and asked to be discharged from further
consideration of the subject.
The following bills were reported, among 9TH
ers
Providing for the further construction of the
Covington and Ohio Railroad making further
subscription to the Alexandria, Loudoun and
Hampshire Railroad increasing the capital stock
of the Va Central, Manassas Gap, and York
River Railroads.
House.-A bill was reported authorizing an
extension OF the Manassas Gap Railroad to Gov
ington.
The bill for the relief of the Commonwealth
| from the free negro population, was taken up
as the special order of the day, and the principle
involved in the measure was advocated by
Mes~rs. Howerton and Claybrook, and opposed
by Mr. Brown, of Petersburg. Sundry amend
nents were proposed.
THURSDAY MISUNDERSTANDING the bills report
ed was one amending the Code, so as to allow
interest not exceeding per cent per annum on
bills of exchange and promissory notes, payable
within four months from their date, or not hav-
ing more than four months to run.
Another bill was reported, authorizing an in
! crease OF the capital stock of the Orange and
Alexandria railroad company, for the purpose of
enabling it to extend its road from Charlottes-
vile to Lynchburg, and making a subscription
thereto on behalf of the State.
The bill making an appropriation of $4,000
to the University of Virginia was taken up. Mr..
Stuart advocated the bill and Mr. Daughtery OPP
posed it, The vote stood, ayes %, noes 10, not
y constitutional majority. The vote was recon.
sidered, and the bill laid on the table.
The bill for the reorganization of the Public
Guard was amended and ordered to its third
reading
House.-A bill was reported to establish an
election precinct at Sherando, Augusta county.
Mr. Seldom, from the special committee, pre-
scented report on the public printing. The re-
port states that propositions have been made to
execute the work for % per cent. below the
present rates, but it takes ground against the
contract system" A majority of the commit
tee recommend the abolition of the printers
salary and reduction of about - l-2 per cent.
in the prices paid for the work. Mr.. Barbour,
of Monongala, presented minority report, re-
commenting that the rates at present paid be
reduced % per cent, and thus effect a saving OF
over $4,000 each biennial term.
The free negro bill was further considered
Mr.. Raymond moved recommitment of the
subject-negatived yeas Ga, nays 81. Mr.. Moody
moved an indefinite postponement of the bill
negatived, yeas 10, nays 115. House adjourned
-Senate.-Nothing of interest.
House-A bill was reported, among others,
to prohibit the banks of the Commonwealth from
paying out defaced or mutated notes.
Mr.. Duckwall presented substitute for the
free negro bill.
SArURDAY--lSenate-.Th Covington and Ohio
Railroad bill was taken up. On motion of Mr..
johnson, an amendment was adupted-ayes 90,
nays 13-requiring the Company to construct
depots at the Eastern terminus of the road to
receive freight for the canal without additional
charges &c.
| House-The free negro bill was resumed
The 9th section of the bill reported from the
committee reads as follows:
"At the expiration of three years from the 1st
of January, 1859, such free negroes as remain in
any of the said districts, except these who have
commenced legal proceedings for voluntary en-
savernent, shall be sold into slavery to the nigh
est bidder at public auction"
Mr. Rutherford moved TO amend this portion
of the bill, by substituting twelve" for three"
After some discussion the amendment was a.
greed to-yeas p, nays At.
| Mr.. STUART OF AUGUsTA.-Among the first
men decidedly in the Virginia Senate, is the hon
ored and distinguished gentleman from the coun-
tv of Augusta, Alexander H. H. Stuart. 1t
would he useless for Us 20 extol the merits of
Mr.. s because he had made his reputation ma
tonal before we learned the English language.
A member of Congress for many years, and la
ter distinguished Cabinet Officer under Mr..
! Fillmore. Mr.. Stuart is known from one end of
the Union to the other, as one of the first pub
lie men in the nation He is worthy leader of
the gallant little American band in the Senate.
Mr.. Stuart is in appearance about forty-hve