Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Virginia Legislature

WEDNESDAY,, Jan. 23rd-ln the Senate to-day
a bill was reported for amending the charter of
the Bank of the Commonwealth. resolution
was offered to inquire into the causes which have
led to so many failures on the part OF the Central
and Orange and Alexandria Railroads to connect
at Gordonsville, and to provide remedy there
for The bill approprating one million of dollars
for State defence, was amended and passed. A
joint resolution for temporary adjournment OF
the General Assembly was offered.
In the House, sundry local bills were received
from the senate and passed, among them one al
lowing the Northwestern Bank of Virginia to es-
tablish an agency in Richmond for the redemp-
ton of its notes Also one incorporating the Vlr-
ginia Arms Manufacturing Company. propo-
sition to refer the resolution in reference TO a
Istay law to special committee, was debated
and laid on the table til tomorrow. Apreamble
and series of resolutions tavoring direct trade
with Europe were read and laid on the table.
THURSDAY, Jan. 24th-In the Senate, to-day,
bills were reported to authorize railroad compa-
MES to appoint police agents; incorporating the
Richmond City Insurance Company, and the Vir-
ginia Steam Sugar Refinery Company, at Rock
etts Among the resolutions were the following:
For relieving the Orange and Alexandria Rail-
road from payment of taxes and interest ON loans
made by the State in its behalf; providing more
efficient police regulations for the watering pls
ces of the Commonwealth; for establishing a
branch Bank at Liberty, Bedford county, and
for incorporating a FIREARMS Manufacturing
Company near Lynchburg. The joint resolution
for an adjournment till February 18th was indef-
nitely postponed. The bill to relieve the vari-
Gus schemes of internal Improvement from iuju-
rious competition, was referred to the Committee
on Roads.
In the House, bills were reported for imposing
taxes for the support of Government, and author
izing the South-Side Railroad to build branch
road. The bill making an appropriation for the
removal of the remains of Gen. Lee was read the
second time, and the bill for the temporary relief
Of the Banks of this Commonwealth, exemptiDg
them from all penalties for suspeAding specie pay
ments until the 1st of March, 1862, was ordered
to its engrossment The resolution for referring
the matter of Stay Law to special Committee,
was under consideration when the House adjour-
ned.
FRIDAY, Jan. 25th-In the Senate, to-day bills
were reported for providing more efficient police
regulations at the poor houses Of this Com
monwealth, and to stay the proceedings on
executions, deeds, and other demands, in ca
ses of refusal to receive bank notes. Bills were
passed to prevent depredations along the Poto-
mac and other tide-waters of Fairfax, Stafford,
and King George, and for allowing the Norfolk
and Petersburg Railroad to construct branch.
Resolutions were introduced for extending the
time in which the Sherifs shall pay that portion
of the public revenue falling due on the 10Th of
March next; for making loan from the State to
the Roanoke Valley Railroad for establishing
depot for arms in Kanawha valley; for organi-
ling select volunteer corps of not less than 10
900 men for State defence, and forappropriating
an additional sum to complete the buildings at
the Virginia Military Institute.
In the House an amendment was offered to the
bill approprating million of dollars for State
defence, and the bill was laid on the table. A
select committee was appointed to suggest mode
of improving the Capitol building. The resolu-
ton in regard to a Stay Law was made the order
of the day for next Wednesday. The bill relev-
ing the banks from the penalty of suspendng spe-
Gle payments, was debated, and an amendment
| offered thereto