Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-02-14
Legislature of Virginia.
MONDAY, Feb. 6.-Nothipg of interest

on the 18th Dec. last, which was then laid on
the table. 1t reads as follows:
" Whereas, it has been alleged that Beverly B
Douglas, the Senator returned from the district
composed of the counties of King William, King
and Queen and Essex, was, at the time of hi:
election, incapable of being elected, under the
provisions of an act passed 18th of March, 1858
entitled An act to amend and re-enact the | /
and second sections of an act passed 22nd of MAY
1862, entitled An act disabling any person coli
cerned in duel from holding office:
BE at resoIoed,, That the Committee of Priv
ileges and Elections, be instructed to inquire IN
to and report the facts touching the eligibility
of the member returned, and the legality of said
election; and whether, in their opinion, new
writ OF election should be awarded in this case y
The ayes and noes were called on the ques-
ton, and it was carried in the affirmative by 80
votes. There was running debate, partici-
pated in by number of Senators, on the pro-
priety of taking action on the resolution. A
motion was made to lay it on the table which
was lost by vote of 81 to a..
HoNss.-A bill was reported extending the
corporate limits of the town of Staunton. The
bill appropriating 100000 to the Pitsylvania
Railroad came up as the order of tile day, and
was defeated.
The joint resolution offered by Mr.. Seldom,
fixing the compensation of non conmi ssiene
officers, who se9ved during TIE HaFper's Ferry
Invasion and at Charlestown, is as follows: For
10 days service, three months pay ; for ten days
service, two months pay !; and to all who served
shorter period, one months pay. The resolu-
ton was adoptgd-ayes / "a, naysl. On motion
the House adj5drnea.
While the above resolution was pending, Mr..
Christian, of Augusta, said the pay of soldiers
is 81 per month; making $33 for three months,
if the service was as long as 10 days. The pay
for Is days service in the Legislature amounts
to $50. and all members know that is not half
enough; much less then can $33 be too much,
they being judges, tof the salne service night
and day on the tented field.
WEDNEsDAY-Senate.-O motion of Mr..
Wickllan, the bill to amend the 9th section Of
chapter 1O3 of the Code of Virginia, and repeal
ing the 10th, 18th and 18th sections of said chap
ter was taken up. fThe amendment in this bill
says, mo person shall emancipate any slave. ,
Mr.. Wickham then offered substitute, which
proposes to amend the 9th section by spbstit1-
ting the following: ANY person may elnanci-
pate any of his slaves by deed recorded in the
court of bis county or corporation, to take i'm
mediate effect; but no poison shall emanoipate
any slave by last will and all deeds of emanci-
patton to go into effect3at future day shall be
void"
Mr.. Coghil suggested that the bill srd sub
stitute be LAID On the table, as he intended to
offer substitute, and Mr.. Wickham consenting,
the bill and substitute were laid on the table ac
cordinglys
The oyster bill was taken up Oh motion Of
Mr.. Beale, and then Mr. Christian addressed the
Senate in an eloquent speech of great length a.
gainst the bill. He was replied to, briefly, by
Mr.. Paxton, the hour being late. Mr.. Stuart
then moved the indefinite postponemeht Of the
bill, and Mr. Beale seconded the motion. Mi.
August and Mr.. Neeson opposed the indefinite
postponement.
House.-The bill providing for the organize
ton of the militia was made the order OF the day
for Monday week.
The following bills passed:
A bill providing for the prompt payment of in
terest on guaranteed bonds of the State by order
of the Governor; and requiring the Attorney
General to proceed snmmarily to foreciOse the
States mortgages on such companies as fail to
pay their interest. The bill passed unanimously.
q bill authorizing a subscription, Oh the part
of the State, of $4,000, on the two and three
ffths principle, to the Monongahela navigation
company. The bill passed-ayes 81 noes 20.
A bill appropriating $4,000 to the Elk river
turnpike company. Passed by ayes SO, noes 40
THpRspAg.-g motion of Mr.. Smith,
the House bill sto provide for the construction
and equipment of the Covington and Ohio Rail
road" (making an appropriation of two and one
half millions) was taken up, and passed.
On motion of Mr.. Wckham, the House Bill
authorizing the loan on the part of the Com
monwealth to the Virginia Central Railroad
Company" was taken Up.
Mr.. Brannon said he would vote for the bill
if he thought the bill necessary. He maintained
that the company had capacity already to COM
plete their road before the Covington and Ohio
Road could be completed.
Mr.. Stuart replied to the objections made by
Mr. BrannOD, and advocated the bill
Mr.. Wickham and Mr.. August then advocated
the bill, and it passed. Ayes "a, noes 8.
The House bill providing fer further sub
scription to the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hanp-
shire Railroad Company was taken up and pass
ed-ayes %, noes IA.
On motion of Mr.. Marshall, the Senate bill in
creasing the capital stock Of the Manassa Gap
Railroad Company, and authorizing subsrip-
ton thereto by the Board of Public Works, was
taken up, and passed.
A message was received from the Executive,
enclosing letter from Joshua Perham, ESQ.,, of
Boston, extending an invitation, by the people OF
Boston and vicinity, to the Governor, State off
to visit that city during the present session of
the Legislature of Massachusetts. Laid on the
table, and ordered to be printed.
House-The consideration of the bill, for the
extension of the Richmond and Danville Rail
road was resumed, and the bill was passed. 1t
authorizes State subscription of $350,000.
The bill incorporating a company with a cap
ital stock of 81, 600, to construct railroad
from the Virginia and Tennessee railroad, at
some point in Bedford County, through Frank
lin and Henry counties, to the North Carolina
line, came up as the next order of the day. H.
asks for no appropriation by the State, and was
passed.
enthusiastically House bill authorizing
State subscription to the extension of the
Richmond and Danville Railroad, was passed
ayes 30, noes Is. Messrs. Stuart and Wckham,
when their names were called, explained the
reasons of their votes for the bill.
The House bill to incorporate the Virginia
and North Carolina Railroad was passed. Also
the bill increasing the capital stock of the Gil
mer, Ripley and Ohio Turnpike Company. Also
the bill for the relief of the Norfolk and Peters
burg Railroad Company.
House-The following bills were passed -
Senate bill to provide for the prompt payment
of the guaranteed bonds of the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal, with Senate amendment; ncreas-
ing the capital stock Of the Manassas Gap Rail
road Company, and authorizing subscription
thereto BY the Board of Public Works; incorpo-
rating the Blacksburg, Catawba Greek and Fin
castle Turnpike Company.
The bill to amend the charter of the James
River and Kanawha Company was considered.