Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-03-31
Neutrality-suspicious. Session.

&.
conversion OF the debt of the James River ara
Kanawha Canal Company was taken up-the
question being on the substitute offered by Mr..
Rives. After some remarks by Mr.. Hives the
substitute was adopted, and motion to post
pone the bill indefinitely was then carried This
vote was reconsidered and the bill laid on the
table.
The following bills were passed:
Amending the code so as to require ordinary
keepers, when they take out licenses to take an
oath that they will not deal with slaves, (ayes
26, nays H. t
Requiring any merchant procuring license to
sell liquor by retail, to give bond in $5OO that
he will not deal with slaves, (ayes %, nays 81
To prohibit any incorporated companies, save
internal improvement companies, from procur-
ing money at a rate of interest over per cent,
(ayes 81, nays 49,
10 prevent free negroes from acquiring slaves,
except by descent, (ayes 90, nays ~
Empowering the Board of Public Works to
continue the work ON the Covington and Ohio
Railroad, and Blue Ridge Railroad, in case con"
tractors throw up their contracts, (ayes ~,
nays o.
The bill concerning payment of State subscrip-
tons to internal improvement companies was
PASSED.
Rouse.-The Senate bill authorizing the es-
Establishment of the s-Alleghany lunatlc asy-
lum was passed-yeas 1913, nays 6.
The House bill Increasing the capital stock OF
the Richmond and York River Railroad to the
amount of 100000, to be subscribed by the
State, was passed--yeas 7S, nays AZ.
The canal conversion bill was again defeated
for want of & constitutional majority. The vote
was reconsdered and the bill, after amendment,
laid on the table.
| TUEsDAY.-Senate.-Th bill prohibiting the
circulation of notes under SO after 80, and un-
der $40 after 1860, passed last session, was pass
ed by vote of % to II.
Mr. Deneale offered resolution of inquiry as
to the expediency Of merging the Blue Ridge
Railroad into the capital stock OF the Virginia
Central Railroad.
The joint resolution offered by Mr. Thomas,
requiring merchants in the State to give COM
missioners of the revenue list of their goods,
stating which are of the growth of Virginia.
which are grown out of the State, and which in
foreign countries-the furnishing of this state
ment to be one of the conditions of obtaining
the license, was taken up. After debate the res
olution was indefinitely postponed.
The vote passing the bill fixing November for
the resumption of specie payment by the banks
was reconsidered, November stricken out, and
the 1st day of August inserted.
Mr.. Stuart called up the Canal conversion"
scheme, with view to offering substitute
The substitute authorizes the James River and
Kanawha Company to borrow sum not exceed
ing So 900, 900, the lien now held by the State
to be suspended until that debt shall be paid,
and after its payment to be restored. The bill
was ordered to be printed.
House.-On motion of Mr.. McCue, a House
bill to incorporate the Clear Fork Road Compa-
nv, was taken up, and its passage advocated by
Messrs. McCue and Ronald The bill was then
rejected for the want of constitutional MAORI
ty-yeas a. nays A.
The bill to amend the charter of the Winches-
ter & Potomac Railroad Company, SO as to au-
thorize an extension of the road to Strasburg,
was passed-yeas SO, nays 90.
WEDNEspAY.-Senate.-T House bill to a
mend the charter of the Winchester and Poto-
mac Railroad was received from the House. MIR.
Stuart said it was scheme to tap the Coving-
ton and Ohio road, and after some discussion the
bill was laid on the table-yeas 10, nays II.
Mr.. Stuart called up his substitute for the Can
al Conversion" bill. 1t was adopted after de-
bate, and the bill passed-yeas %, nays ID.
The bills granting aid to the various Railroad
companies, passed by the House on Saturday,
were taken up in succession and all of them lost
for want of constitutional majorities. The re-
spective votes were reconsidered, and the bills
laid on the table.
| House.-After some other business, O House
bill increasing the capital stock of the Virginia
Central Railroad company, to the amount OF
$500, 900, and authorizing the Board OF Public
Works to subscribe therefor, was taken up, adj
vocated by Mr.: Christian, & opposed by Mr.. Hay
mond The bill was then rejected for the want
of a constitutional msjority-yeas 81, nays 56.
The vote was reconsidered, and the bill laid on
the table.
A House bill authorizing subscription of
100000 to the Richmond & Danville Railroad,
was reiected-yeas 55, nays 60. The vote was
reconsidered and the bill amended so as to au-
thorize the Company to employ its surplus earn
ings in extending the road, and in that form it
was passed-yeas 1885, nays IA.
At the night session the oyster tax bill was
discussed with good deal of excitement
Messrs. VERIFY, Clay brook and others denoun-
ced the bill as grossly unjust and tyrannicai.
THURspAY.-Senate.-T various Railroad
appropriation bills, passed by the House and
lost in the Senate on Wednesday, were taken up
and passed by constitutional majorities. Also
the bill increasing the capital stock of the Vir-
ginia Central Railroad company and appropriat-
ing 5000, 0OO-yeas 26, nays IL. Other bills
were passed, but nothing OF interest.
Ho,tse.-A Senate bill to make the invest
ments of the Commonwealth more productive,
by enforcing the payment of interest and sink
ing fund loans to internal Improvement compa-
mics, of dividends on preferred stock, &C., was
taken up and discussed at length by several
members. After the adoption of several amend
ments, the bill was passed, and communicated
forthwith to the Senate.
The Senate bill making an annual appropria-
ton of $25, 900 for four years to the University
of Virginia was taken up. An unsuccessful eff
fort was made to limit the annual compensation
of the Professors to $4,000. The bill was then
rejected-yeas 81, nays Do.
at the night session MIR. Paxton addressed the
House in favor of his substitute for the Oyster
Fundum BILL
AY.-Senate.-Several unimportant bills
were passed, and others reported.
Mr.. Old offered resolution calling on the
Auditor for the amount by which the State debt
had been increased by appropriations at the pres
ent and last sessions; how much of contingent
debt is to be paid in '58 and '59, and what in
crease of taxation, if any, may be necessary to
meet the interest on the same. After discus
sion by Messrs. Thomas, Stuart and others the
resolution was adopted,
House.-The bill authorizing contingent
State subscription of 1000 to the Clear Fork
Turnpike was passed-yeas so, nays AZ.
The bill authorizing subscription of $4,000
to the Walkers Greek and Holston Turnpike
was lost for want of constitutional majority.
The Senate bill for requiring the payment of
interest due to the State, on investments in in
ternal improvements, as amended IN the House,
was returned from the Senate with an amend
ment practically delaying the operation OF the
enactment for six months, which the House, on