Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-12-27
Legislature of Virginia.


MONDAY. Dec. 19.-Sendte.-A communlca-
tion was received from the House, announcing
that tbey had CONQUERED in the Senate's resou-
ton to adjourn over from the END lnst., TO the
2nd of January. ,.u
The Committee on Oysters presented bill.
The bill concerning the repeal of the Duelllng
Law, which was adversely reported upon by the
Committee was taken up in its order, and lald
on the table.
Houss.--The Covington and Ohio Railroad
bill was made the order of the day ior January
9th.
The bill appropriating $4,000 to the Deaf
Dumb Institution at Staunton, being $5,oO0
more than the late annual appropriation, and
81. 900 to rebuild the workshops destroyed by
fire last winter, came up on its passage, and
was advocated by Mr.. Christian. On motion OF
Mr.. Seldom, the vote passing the bill to Its third
reading was reconsidered, and it was referred to
the Committee on Finance.
TUESDAY, 4Senate.-The bill for the payment
of interest upon the bonds of the James River d
Kanawha Oompay, as amended by the House
was passed.
A petition of sixty-six students of the Rich
mond Medical College, asking an appropriation
of $50, 900 for that institution, was presented.
House-The bill making an appropriation to
the Deaf and Dumb Institution was passed.
WEDNESDAY, misunderstanding of import
arce.
H0uSe-A message was received from the
Governor in reply to resolution asking the ex=
pense of the Harper's Ferry affair, in which the
Executive states that as these expenses have
not yet ceased, he cannot give the cost. lie
adds that the military force at Charlestown has
varied between 200 and 1000 men. He has or
dered the force to be reduced from 1000 sol
ders to q mere military guard, OF sufficient
strength to insure the security OF the prisoners.
A resolution was introduced in the House in
Touring into the propriety of compensating Wal
ter Shirly, foreman of one of the Charlestown
juries, for portion of his property, destroyed
by an incendlary.
Among the bills reported was one authorizing
Ishe County Courts of Augusta and Rockbridge
10 purchase certain turnpikes; and one of Nc
Alamiziug the junction Valley Turnpike.
Thursday .--SenGte. bill for making
temporary appropriation, $4,000, to the Cov=
ius and Ohio Railroad was taken up on its third
realing, but on motion of Mr. Smith it was LAID
on the table,
Mr.. Pennybacker moved to have the rules sus-
pended, with the view of putting on its passage o
bill making an appropriation to the Institution OF
the Deaf Dumb and Blind-but sufficient num-
Der o, members was not present to suspend the
roles e2
The House bill accepting the Philadelphia flag
was conclired in.
Hou,e Resolutions addressed to the members
of Congress were concurred 10.
Houe-A number of bills were reported, one
of them to repair the Stanton " Parkersburg
Road.
Mr.. Robertson offered the following resolu-
tons, which were adopted:
ResoJsea, That we wish to assure the Repre-
sentatives of this State in Congress, in the dit
icult circumstances in which they are placed, Of
the sympathy of this General Assembly, in the
struggle in which they are now engaged, and OF
our cordial support OF every proper measure they
may adopt to protect the just rights ofthis State
and of the South-the integrity of the union
and the authority of the Constitution.
Rssolved, That we recommend, in view of the
public danger, the union Of all the elements OF
Opposition to Black Republcanism, and its can
didate for Speaker, on any terms consistent with
fairness and honor, whatsoever by such union
its defeat can be accomplished, and the organl-
zation of the House be effected.
Mr.. Newton presented the following report
aud resolutions:
The Committee on Military Affairs have had
under consideration the communication OF the
Governor, in reference to the flag presented to
this Commonwealth, by certain citizens OF Phlla-
delphia, and beg leave to report the following
resolutions
Whereas, large number of the citizens OF
PHILADELPHIA, have presented to the Common
wealth, of Virginia, flag inscribed with an ex
preston Of their loyal devotion to the Union as
framed. and the Constitution constructed by
the fathers of the republic,
Be at resolced 6y the General assembly Of Var-
ginia, That we gratefully accept this beautiful
gift as renewed evidence of the devoted patri-
otisin of that heroic band of Northern conser-
natives who have so long maintained an unequal
contest with the assailants of our rights and the
enemies of our peace, and that whatever fortune
may invite or fate mpe rs in the future, Vir-
GINA will cherish with affeotionate gratitude
the memory of those who SO bravely encounter
the frowns of faction, and so nobly defy the fu-
ry of fanaticism.
Resolred, That the Governor of this Common
wealth be requested to communicate copy Of
these resolutions to James j. Gibbons, Esq, of
Philadelphia.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted.
A bill was shortly after reported by Mr.. Chris
tian Chairman of the Committee OF Schools and
Colleges, approprating $50, 900 to the Richmond
College,
Pending the discussion of the bill, the House
adjourned. ;,
pAY.-Hous-A petition from D. S. Bell,
of Augusta, for relief ffom penal surety on
Sheritf's bond, was presented. Among the res
outions of inquiry were the following:
OF paying out of the general treasury ali
debts and expenses now chargeabe on the mill
tia fine fund under the present law.
Ofexcudng from the commonwealth all non
resident incendiary preachers and other corrup-
tors Of slaves, by requiring evidence of good
character before they obtain license to pursue
their business.
Tic Hnnse adinnrned til Iannary and