Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-01-25
Virginia Legislature----Extra Session.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY %, 1861.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY %, 1861.
SENATE.
The Senate was called to order to-day at IL
o'clock, Mr.. JOHNSON in the Chair.
Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Read.
4 message was received from the llosuc Of
Delegates, announcing the passage of sundry
bills.
On motion of Mr. NEAL, the rules were sus-
pended, and House bill "authorizinG the pay
lnent Of forfeited commissions and damages
to the executor of Charles Holden deceased,
late sheriff of the county Of Harrison, was
taken IN, and Mr. RRASHoN advocated the
bill
Mr.. DICKINSON, Of p. f., expressed strong
opposition to the principle of legislation con-
tanned in the bill, rs he regarded it ruinous to
the Treasury Of the State; and he drew attcn-
lion to the fact that in another branch Of the
Legislature he had indicated his opposition to
any measures Of the kind.
Mr. WIcKnAM advocated the bill as being an
application TO the justice Of The Senate. This
was particular and exceptional case.
Mr.. BRANNoS said that while he was oppOS-
ed to the system of legislation alluded TO by
Mr. DicKlSsoS, Of ?. T., he considered the case
embraced in the bill to be one Of a different
| character
Mr. DlcElHsoH, in reply, said that he was net
in the Senate TO dispense charity he had a
sworn duty to pcrfnrm and hc believed il this bill
was accctcd to it would bc the initiative which
would lead to flood Of similar applications.
| lie then drew attention to The fact that there
were but eigh ghtcen counties in the State in which
there were not dclalcatiOns. Mr.. Dickinson
then read from the Enquirer All enumeration Of
the large number of dclalcations as advertised
by the Auditor OF Public Accounts.
Mr. CARSON advocated the bill on its merits,
and said that the deialcations alluded 10 were
owing, in some degree, to unusual circuIn.
stances which occurred last year. Several of
the parties in default had to leave their civil
duties, because OF doing military duty during
the John Brown raid.
Mr.. DorGlAs said that he was willing to pay
the commission Of q per cent, but as Mr.. llol
den was in default in lS5S-59, and was in de-
fault when he died, he was opposed to refund
ing what was asked for in the bill.
The Till was then pasScd-ateS 81, noes I.
Mr. ISEELL reported bill to amend the
charter of The Bank of Phillippi; also 10 amend
the charter of the Bank Of the Commonwealth !;
also to amend an act entitled san act 10 incor-
poratc the Princess Anne Savings Bank, in the
county Of Princess Anne, passed February y,
lS6l.'
RESOLUTIONS, &C.
By Mr.. PATE--For reporting bill to incor
uoratc the Amber Oil aud Coal Company.
BY the same-For incorporating the Hughes
Oil and Coal Company.
BY the same-For incorporating the Fayelte
Oil and Coal Company.
| BY Mr. NAsII-For amending the 18th sec
ton of Chap. 5Y Of the Code.
By Mr. DouGLAs--For compcnsating John
Critcher, Esq, for services in prosecuting one
Samuel Hubbard. charged with murder, in the
circuit court of Westmorcland county.
BY Mr.. MckEHNEy-For paying 81 per
centum upon the invoice value Of all goods
imported hy steamers from Europe to any port
in Virginia
BY Mr.. DlcKESsoS of Grayson-For report
Ing House bill, No 4jG, of last session, for
making railroad Companies liable for damages
IN certain cases.
BY Mr.. AuGusr-For changing the law regu-
lating the granting of appeals from decisions
OF the Circuit Courts.
By Mr.. IspELL-For amending the Goth sec
ion Of chapter &c of the Code, So aS TO authorize
volunteer companies in contiguous counties TO
form themselves into giments as now provided
| by said Goth section, for the formation Of such
regiments in single counties.
| I;y Mr.. PAxToN--For withdrawing from the
files Of the Senate, bill providing that rail
road companies shall only use in the constrIIc-
ton, repairs and operations OF their roads,
machinery, materials, and other supplies manu-
| ractured in the State and that the same he re-
ftrrcd 10 the committee on roads.
By. Mr. pAxroN-That the Committee on
Roads be instructed to inquire into the causes
which have led to the frequent failures OF the
trains on the Orange and Alexandria and Cen
trail Railroads TO connect at Gordonsvillc, and
to report such measures as may bc necessary
to remove the grievance, and to cause the
more certain and speedy transportation Of the
mails and passengers on those roads.
Mr.. THOMAS, Of Henry, presented the fol
owig Joint resolution, which was laid over
under the rules
Resolved, rrhc House Of Delegates consent
inc,) That when the Senate a1journS on Mon
day next, it will he TO the lSIh o! February,
1861.
Mr.. GArKwooD presented the petition Of
Fanny Mathews, for leave to cnSlavc herself
and child to Gabriel Jordan, Of Page county.
i;y Mr.. ARMSTRONG (Rcsoution) )-For amend.
ing the act incorporating the town OF Bath,
in Morgan county.
Bv Mr.. BwASSoy-For making further ap
preparation to the Huttonsville and Hunters
Vile Road, or for surrcndering the same to the
control Of the county Courts oil tho counties
through which the same passes.
By Mr. TuoMrsoN-For organizing volnn.
lcer corps, Of persons over 10 years ol age
DEFENCE or TIE COMMONWEALTH.
The bill for the defence Of the Common
wealth was taken up, and the question beng
1 n, he - NJ
the preceding day, Mr.. PAXTON Withdrew it,
and then offered tho following, as Substitute
for the first section OF the bill
'I5c it enacted by the General Assembly,
That the colonel Of ordnance be, aud is hereby
authorized aud required, under the direction 6i
the Governor, to procure such arms, equip
Inents and munitions of war rs may DC neccs-
sary for the defence of tho State. The said
officer is also authorized to contract, under the
direction Of the Governor, Tor the manufacture,
| in this State uf equi pmentS and munitions oi
war; and may buy materials to he used IN the
manufacture Of the same, and may contract
with parties for altering and improving, III lhlS
State, cannon aud small arms, or may, III LIS
discretion, purchase machinery and materials
for such purpose if the same cannot be
done by contract upon as favorable terms:
Provided, That not more than $500, 600 shall
be expended for such purposes, which SUN is
hereby appropriated out of any money iii
the treasury not otherwise appropriated
Thesubstitutc was adopted.
Mr.. ArGrst moved to amend, by making the
S20O, 900, Exclusive Of $500, ,000) applicable
to coast and harhor dcienccs, and it WAS agreed
| TO-
Mr.. IsBELL moved to reconsider the vote by
| which Mr.. NEwLoXs amendment was agreed 10
Oh the previous day, with the view of Offering
the following
provided, That sufficient portion of the
arms, hereby authorized TO be purchased, shall
Immediately, upon the receipt by the author'.
ties of the Commonwealth, be distributed
among the nilitn along the Northern and Wes-
tern border OF the State and along the Chcsa-