Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-02-21
Legislature of Virginia.

Legislature of Virginia.
MONDAY, Feb. 13.-Senate.- The Committee
on Courts OF Justice reported bill to arrange
the Judicial circuits, districts and sections of the
state, and constituting new circuit; and bill
lor the appointment of general administrator
10 each county and corporation.
The Joint Committee on the South Carolina
mission reported the following resolutions:
Resotoed, That the General Assembly Of Vir-
ginia recognizing in our present relations with
the -slaveholding States an imperativeneces-
sity for decisive measures, does not yet distrust
the capacity Of the Southern States, by a wise
and firm exercise of their reserved powers, to
protect the rights and liberties of the people and
to preserve the Federal Union. For this pur-
pose we earnestly desire the concerted action OF
the Southern States, but the General Assembly
respectfully submits for the consideration of
South Carolina and all her sister States of the
South, that efficient cooperation will be more
safely obtained by such direct legislative action
OF the several States as may be necessary and
proper than through the agency of an assem-
blage which can exercise no legislative powers
except to debate and advise.
Resolued, Therefore, That in the opinion of the
General Assembly, it is inexpedient to appoint
deputies to the conference proposed by South
Carolina.
Resolped, That the Governor of the Common
wealth be requested to communicate the fore
going resolutions to the Governor of the State
of South Carolina, and to the Governors of the
Slaveholding States.
On motion OF Mr.. August, who expressed his
intention to present a minority report, the above
were laid on the table and ordered to be print
ed. f4
A communication was received from the Ex-
ecutive concerning the refusal of the Governor
of Iowa to grant the requsition made on him by
the Executive of this State for Barclay Coppic,
who had been engaged in the Harper's Ferry
raid. Governor Letcher gives the history of the
requisition for Coppic, and denounces the du-
plicity of Governor Kirkwood, of Iowa, in aid
ing bis escape. He urges prompt action on the
part of the South to put itself in position where
it can secure the punishment of those who offend
against its laws.
Governor Letcher also laid before the Legis
lature series of resolutions from public meet
ing in Atlanta, Ca, extending the hospitality of
the city to Virginia delegates to the proposed
Southern Conference.
House-The Joint Committee on the South
Carolina mission reported, and the Governor
made the same communications to the House
which are mentioned in the Senate's proceed
ings,
The Senate bill to pay 1888, 80 to the Exchange
Hotel for a supper to and entertainment of Mr..
Memmingar, was passed.
The bill to amend the charter of the James
River & Kanawha Company was advocated by
Mr.. Davis.
TUESDAY, Senate. Committee on Lu-
natic Asylums reported bill Incorporating the
Southern Institution for the amelioration Of the
condition of the deaf and dumb and blind ne
groes OF the Commonwealth.
A Senate bill to amend the charter of the
Central Bank of Virginia, was passed.
The bill to provide for the sale into slavery of
negro convicts employed on public works under
certain circumstances, and also to authorize the
Governor to employ on public works certain
white convcts, was taken up and ordered to be
engrossed.
the special license bill was resumed, and Mr.
Seldom spoke in opposition to the views of Mr..
Barbour. The matter was then postponed till
Tuesday.
WEDNESDAY, Decentralization a variety of
business of no general interest, the Senate pro-
ceeded to the election of State officers. See
House proceedings.
The bill to incorporate the Valley Railroad
Company Qrom Harrisonburg to Salem) came
up. MIR. Stuart offered ryder which was or
dered to be engrossed, providing that the said
Railroad shall pass as near to Staunton and Lex
ington as practicable, and that the part of the
Central Railroad between Staunton and Goshen
may be used as part of the Valley Railroad on
such terms as may be agreed upon.
Mr.. Thomas, Of Fairfax, offered ryder pro-
viding that the Winchester and Potomac Rail
road or Baltimore and Ohio Railroad shall form
no connection with the Valley, Central or Ma
nassas Gap Railroad
House.-At ID o'clock, the Joint order of the
day, being the election of State officers, came up.
All the present incumbents were reelected, viz !:
6. W. Mnnrord, Secretary the Oomu,onyealth !;
John s. Calvert, Treasurer; Jonathan NJ. Ben
nett, 1st Auditor; VIM. A. Moncure, and Audi
tor; Stafford A. Parker, Register of the Land
Office; James F. Pendleton, Superintendent of
the Penitentiary Robert NJ. Nimmo, Storekeep-
er of the Penitentlary; and VIM. F. Richie,
Public Printer
Nothing else of interest,
THURsDAY.-SenGte.-A the resolutions
offered was one by Mr. Stuart, as to incorpora-
ting company with capital stock not exceed
ing 100000 to construct and manage public
bathing establishment in the town OF Stanton.
House.-No business of Importance. The
Democratic Convention being in session, the
business Of both houses is somewhat suspended.
On Friday and Saturday number OF bills OF
no general interest were passed.
THE PosT OFFICE B1LL.-The President hav-
ing approved of the Post Office bill, it is there
fore now law. AS amended previous to its
nnc,n M e