Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-01-24
Legislature of Virginia.

AeslSidtufe OF Virginia.
MoNDAY.-Jan. 16-Senate- Governor
communicated a letter from the Gov. OF South
Oai olina, with the resolutions adopted by the
legislature OF that State, and also letter from
mr.. Memmlnger, the Commissioned, announcing
his arrival in Richmond and asking in what
way ne should proceed to discharge the duty en-
trusted to him. The Joint Committee was in
structed to confer with Mr.. Mema,inger on the
subject.
The Committee on Military Affairs reported
Northwestern part of the State. Also the House
Oil making an appropriation for the purchase
and manufacture of arms.
The Senate bill making an additional appro-
prlation of SAC, 900 to the Military Institute at
Lexington, and increasing the annual appropria-
ton to $4,000 was taken up and considered,
and then laid on the table, Mr.. Wickham ex-
pressing wish to offer amendments.
The bill for the voluntary enslayement OF a
negro woman and her children (the eldest II
years old,) in Culpeper, was rejected-ayes II,
nays 49,
House.-A report was made in favor OF ex-
empting John A. Mann, of Augusta, from pay
msnt ofliceLse tax. The same proceedings were
had in reference to Mr.. Memminger as in the
Senate. Nothing else of interest.
TUEsDAY.-Senate.-A some other pro-
ceedings, the House bill making an approprla
ton for the purchase and manufacture OF arms
&c was taken up Mr.. Thomas, of Fairfax, and
Mr.. Stuart, of Augusta, wished to lay tue bill on
the table, both Of them saying that they wished
to put the State in condition of defence, bu,
that they wished to look into the bill, and the
latter saying he wished to introduce amendments
The motion was lost-ayes 90, nays "a.
Mr.. Neeson proposed an amendment for the
establishment OF Military school in tue North
west, which was rejected-ayes 4, nays 80.
Mr.. Thomas offered a substitute for the bill,
authorizing the expenditure of not more than
$4,000 in the purchase of arms DC. Lost
ayes 10, noes %.
Mr.. Stuart offered substitute providing for
the purchase of arms. He believed that arms
made by the State cost more and were worse
than those made by private companies. Lost
ayes II, nays q.
Other efforts were made to defeat the bill,
and finally motion to adjourn was carried.
Honse-A bill to amend the charter of the
Central Bank of Virginia was reported.
Mr.. Christian introduced resolution of in
auiry as to the propriety of authorizing the
collections of the revenue to be made by collect
ors appointed by the county courts and Sheriff.
elected by the people, and that the per centage
for the prompt payment OF taxes, BE- deducted
for the benefit of the tax payer.
Mr.. Miller offered preamble and resolution
in favor of an amendment of the Constitution sc
as to make slave property taxable according tc
value, as other property. Laid on the table.
The Joint Committee reported an arrangement
for receiving Mr. Memminger and hearing hi
address on Thursday at half past - O'clock
| Adopted,
The contested election case from Gilmer, Wir
and Calhoun was taken up, and the resolution
declaring Mr.. Turner, the sitting member, no
entitled to his seat was adopted.
WEDNEsDAY.-Senate.- Senate concurret
in the action of the House in reference to re-
ceiving Mr.. Memminger.
| The vote rejecting the voluntary enslavemen
of negro woman and children in Culpeper was
re-considered, aud the bill laid on the table.
The House bill appropriating 100000 opur
chase and manufacture arms &c, was taken up
Mr.. Smith, of Greenbrier, moved to strike out
the sections establishing an armory, and ad
vocated his resolution at considerable LENGTH
He proposed to sell the present Armory an6
grounds, and apply the money to the purchase
| of arms. 1t had been intimated that the bill
must be passed by Democratic majority. HI
voted with highly respectable Wing gentlemen
on this bill, and, therefore, sentence of condem
nation must be passed upon him as Democrat
and simply because be voted against bill
which he regarded as radically wrong.
Me- Rves, of Albemarle, spoke at great length
ia favor of Mr.. Smiths proposition, aud agains
all measures looking TO disunion and civil war
Messrs. Beale and Isbell replied to Mr.. Rives
and Mr.. Thomas, of Fairfax, spoke in opposition
to the bill.
| House An adverse report was made to The
proposition to tax old bachelors for educationa
purposes.
The contested election case was taken up, ant
latter speeches by Msssrs. Mckinney and MoCu'
in favor Of declaring the seat vacant, and by Mr.
Phelps against it, the resolution that Mr.. Knots
the contestant, was entitled to the seat, was O.
dopted
The bill appropriating 100000 to the Gov
ington & Ohio Railroad was again postponed.
THURspAY-Senate.-N business of genera
interest was transacted till the hour arrived fol
receiving the Commissioner from South Carroll
ma, when the Senate proceeded in body to tht
House.
| Hoasse-No business of Importance. at hal
past IL o'clock, the Hon. @. 6. Memminger wa
formally received, as Commissioner from Soutl
Carolina, charged with the delivery of the reso
lutons adopted by the Legislature of that State
| in view of the recent occurrence at Harper
Ferry. and the present condition of the country
| and with the expression of the sentiments of the
people of South Carolina towards those of Vir
ginia. Both branches of the Legislature were
convened in the Hall of the House OF Delegates
| the Governor and other Executive officers of The
State, number of the Judiciary, members o
the Press, the Clergy, and a number of promi
nent citizens occupied privileged seats on the
! foor The galleries were crowded by ladies'
The distinguished gentleman spoke about three
hours and a half, and was listened to with the
most respectful attention. He began by an al
fusion to the Harper's Ferry invasion, entered al
much length into the history of tue slavery agi
tation, discussed the theory of the Constitution
and the Union, and closed by asking on the part
| of South Carolina, Convention of Delegates
from the Southern States, to consider the policy
to be pursued by the South.
FRIDAY. -Senate.-Mr. Thomas, of Fairfax,
reported resolution declaring it inexpedient to
further legislate on a resolution in relation to
exemptibg one slave from execution in addition
to the property now exempt by law; aud a reso-
luton providing that administration of de-
fcedant's estate shall not be granted to females.
The House bill appropriating $500, 900 for the
purchase and manufacture of arms &C., was re
sumed. Mr. Coghill advocated the BILL Mr..
Rives followed in favor of Mr.. Smiths amend
meDt, and in reply to Mr.. IsbelI. Mr.. Newman
next spoke in favor of Mr.. Smiths motion, and,
among other things, said that, in case disunion
came, he would be for saving the State the ex
pense Of building an Armory by seizing On Har-
per's Ferry Armory and the Gosport Navy
Yard :; but he believed the purchase of arms i'm