Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-03-20

Legislature of Virginia.

MONDAY, March 12th.-SenGte. conmuni-
cation from the Governor, recommending an ex-
tension OF the session, was received. 1t says
There are now in various stages of forward
ness, between both Houses no less than 100
bills" Also q communication recommending
the publication, for the use of the State, of q
work on military tactics, by Maj. Gillian, of the
Va. Military Institute.
On motion of Mr.. Stuart, the resolutions for
an extension of the session were taken up. 1t
was determined, by a vote of 80 to II, to extend
the session ''for term not exceeding that al
lowed by the Gonstitutionn-in other words to
the 2Dd of April. ssia
A bill to pay the Commonwealth Attorney
| of Jefferson county $500 for extra services, was
introduced and read It was advocated by
Messrs Thomas and Wickham, and opposed by
Messrs. Stuart and Douglas
| A joint resolution for the purchase of new
uniform for the Jefferson Guards, of Charles
town, was passed.
The Bank bill was taken up Mr.. Newton
moved that the Senate recede from their substi
tute. Messrs. Beale, Stuart and Douglas op-
posed the House amendment, and Mr.. Thomas.
of f., advocated it; and pending the question,
the Senate adjourned.
| H0use.-The joint resolution for extending
the session to the End of April was concurred in
ayes 95, noes 49, l
The bill making special provisions and i'm
posing penalties in certain cases of traffic with
the slaves and free negroes of this Common
wealth, was passed.
The tax bill was taken up and variously a.
rfended. E.a
/ TUEsDAY.-Senate-T Senate tax bill wa:
taken up and passed. Mr.. Brannon stated thai
it would increase the revenue of the Common
wealth at least $4,000, without any increase
in the rate of taxation.
The Governor transmitted communication
/, from Hon. P. B. Starke, the Commissions
from Mississippi returning acknowledgment,
for courteses lately received as the guest of The
State %
The House amendment to the Bank Redemp
ton law, lately passed by the Senate, was dis
cussed.
House.-The bill for selling into slavery fire,
: negroes convicted of certain crimes was passed
and the Senate joint resolution to furnish new
uniforms to the Jefferson Guards was concurret
) lin.
6 The General Tax bill was discussed till thu
hour of adjournment A motion to license far,
banks was voted down, and all efforts to re
lieve salaries from taxation failed. As the bill
5 now stands all salaries of public officers ant
others are taxed.
, Standardization were a
dopted calling on the Auditing Board of Har
J per's Ferry expenses, for detailed statement o
he present standing Of the affair. A bill wa
reported amending the act passed for establish
ling State Armory, &c. The further consider
alton of a substitute for the bill to amend til,
charter OF the James River and Kanawha Com
] pany was postponed till next Tuesday A very
f long and interesting correspondence between
, Gov. Letcher and the Governor of Ohio, relativ,
to the surrender of Merriam, one of JohI
Browns men, was read. The bill concerning
bank redemption will come up for final actor
next Wednesday.
H0use-Most of the day was consumed in dis
eussing sections of the bill imposing taxes fol
the support Of government. An important fea
ture was added to tax merchants on the actua
, amount OF their sales. 1t charges l per cent
on the sales of merchants exempting entirely al
goods OF direct Importation and all goods made
or bought in Virginia.
THURsDAY.-SenGte.-T bill increasing The
salary of the Auditor to $4,000 was rejected.
The Committee On Military Affairs reported
adversely to publishing Maj. Gilliam's work or
military tactics.
A bill for the relief of Simon Coiner, of Au.
gusta, was passed.
H0use.-A number of bills were passed.
Nothing of interest.
FE1DAY.-Senate. The Committee Of Courts
of Justice recommended the rejection of the bill
authorizing the sale into slavery Of free negroes
sentenced to receive certain punishment
HouSe-A large number of Senate bills were
passed, among them one to pay the propretors
Of the Exchanges Hotel $995,9 for entertaining
Gen Starke, Commissioner from Mississippi
The bill chartering the Richmond & Lynch
burg Railroad was discussed. The vote being
taken it was found that no quorum was present
! SATURDAY Senate.-N othing Of interest.
H0use.-The Board of Commissioners report
ed thai the whole expense of the Harper's Fer
Try invasion will probably reach $4,000, and
Ishould this be the case an additional appropria-
ton OF S27, will be necessary. The total ap-
preparation thus far is $225, 1000; total claims
presented, allowed or paid, $36,274; making q
deficit of 81 ,274.12 should further claims be
presented.