Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-02-05
Virginia LEGISLATURE

SATURDAY, Jan. Z6th-SeVeral DlllS were re-
ported in the Senate on Saturday for the moor
boration of Oil and Coal Companies. A number
were ordered to be engrossed. Amendments
were proposed to the bill amending the charter
of the Bank of the Commonwealth. Bills were
passed incorporating the Richmond City Insu-
rance Company and Steam Sugar Refinery Com
pany.
The House passed Senate bill for the relief of
Charity Casey, and for allowing the Norfolk and
Petersburg Railroad Company to construct q
branch. The Committee on Military Affairs
(tbrough Mr.. Jones, of Gloucester, ,)reported adj
versely to the proposition to allow volunteer COM
panles to purchase arms, the quantity and quail
ty to be defined by law, and paid for out of the
public treasury. A special committee was in
structed to inquire into the expedienoy of paint
ing the Capitol. The bill exempting the Banks
of the State from the penalty of suspending spe-
Gle payments previously passed by the Senate,)
was taken up and considered, and certain propo-
sed amendments being voted down, it was pass
ed An adjournment was effected pending dis
cussion on amendments proposed to the bill ap-
propriating one million of dollars for State de-
fence. Ef
MONDAY, Jan. 28th-In the Senate, to-day,
bills were reported for Incorporating the Hebrew
Benevolent Society of Alexandria and the Par
kersburg Bridge Company. A resolution was
offered for providing more summary way of
dispossessing tenants, in certain cases also, one
asking the Auditor for information as to the
probable deficiency in the Treasury on the 30th
of September next, and how to meet the same.
A letter was read from Governor Hicks, of Ma
ryland, stating that Commissioners from his State
would meet those of Virginia and other States in
Washington, on the 4th of February, to try and
adjust the difficulties now existing between the
- A.
passed amending the charter of the bank of the
Commonwealth. A resolution to adjourn till
February 9th was laid on the table. A commit
tee of two, on the part of the Senate, was appoin
ted 10 provide place of meeting for the State
Convention.
The House passed Senate bill, incorporating
the Virginia Sugar Refinery Company. reso-
luton, inviting the clergy of all denominations
to open the daily sessions with prayer, was a.
dOpted. A statement, showing the Indebtedness
of certain railroads to the State for interest on
loans, &C., was ordered to be printed. Resolu-
tions of inquiry were offered for valuing property
seized on executions, and causing the same to
realize two-thirds of its assessed value for vaca
ting all the offices in the militia, and ordering
new election for prohibiting the emancipation
of slaves by will; for encouraging independent
manufacturers in Virginia; for incorporating the
sale of State muskets to the Military Commit
tee; for authorizing the High Constable of Rich.
mond to sell slaves and other property, seized in
execution, at the City Hall, and for referring the
subject of Sheriffs' bonds to the Committee OF
Justice. A bill was reported for amending the
militia laws, so as to make them more efficient.
A message from the Governor, transmitting the
acceptance of Maryland to the proposition to
send Commissioners to Washington; o communi-
cation from the President of the Georgia State
Convention, transmitting the Secession Ordinance
of that State, and the resolutions adopted by that
body, Jan. 22d and 23d, was read and ordered to
be printed. An amendment was agreed to, to
the bill appropriating one million OF dollars for
State defence, donating $5O. 900 OF the amount to
building an Arsenal in the Kanawha Valley.
TUESDAY, Jan. 29th-In the Senate to-day
joint resolutions of the Legislatures of Tennessee
and Pennsylvania, on the present crisis, were
read and ordered to be printed. A bill was re-
ported to protect the right OF the State and 9TH
ers in railroads and steamboat companies in this
State.
In the House, bill was reported for absolving
the State Treasurer from all liability in case OF
loss of coupon bonds deposited as security for
Bank circulation, unless the same be converted
into registered stock, and prohibiting coupon
bonds from being renewed in the future as such
security. Among the bills passed were Senate
bill incorporating the Merchants Savings Bauk
of Richmond and House bill amending the char
ter of the Winchester and Potomac Railroad -
The bill of last session concerning direct trade
was referred to special committee. In conse-
unence of an omission to take the ayes and noes
on the bill for the relief of the Banks, the House
requested the Senate to send the bill before it a.
gain.