Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-02-26
Virginia. Legislature.

"WEDNESDAY, Feb. 20th-In the Senate to day
bills weresreported to enforce balances due from
Commissioners of forfeited and delinquent hands
to prevent abuses Of the telegraph; to incorpo-
rate the .Rockbridge White Sulphur Spring
Company, and amending the act authorizing thu
construction of street railroad 10 Richmond
petition for an increase of rates was presented
from Potomac River pilots Resolutions wer'
offered for the repeal of the law exempting off
GERS and privates of volunteer companies from
jury duty, for limiting the time of application fol
appeals to Courts, and for multiplying the law re-
quring testimony before examining Courts te
be taken down in writing. Resolutions of ths
Michigan Legislature, in favor of coercion, were
read and directed to be sent back; resolutions
of the Texas legislature, opposed to coercion
were read and ordered to be printed. A report
of Hon. John Robertson, Commissioner to sece-
ding States, embracing correspondence with the
Governors of South Carolina, Georgia, and Ala.
bama, was read, both in Senate and House and
ordered to be printed. The bill for the relief Of
the Banks was further debated. The Governor
sent in message urging immediate action or
the Armory bill, and it was, thereupon, made
the order of the day for to- morrow, at IL O'Clock
Mr.. Douglas offered joint resolution in Response
to all the resolutions that have been thrust or
the notice of the Legislature in favor of coercion
and pledging men and money for that purpose
which lays over under the rule
The House passed a number of Senate bills
bill was reported to provide for the voluntary
enslavement of free negroes without compensa
ton to the Commonwealth The bill to incor-
porate company to construct a railroad between
Washington and Alexandria was passed The
Governor sent In number of communications
from other States all of which were read. The
rnp ort nf md Doh n.
seeding States, was read, and ordered to be
printed. The bill amending the charter of the
city of Richmond was laid on the table. A Pc
tition was presented for general law authori-
zing the erection of work-houses. The bill in
aid of the Covington and Ohio Railroad was a.
mended, and ordered to its engrosslnent.
THURSDAY, Feb. 21st-A number of local bills
were reported in the Senate to-day A resolu-
ton was offered for authorizing Circuit Courts
to convert DEGREES of divorce naense ct tor0 in.
to DEGREES Uieculo matrim0nS. Bills were pass
ed authorizing the Superintendent of the Armory
to provide quarters for portion of the Public
Guard; amending the Potomac River Pilot Law
and authorizing certain Banks to establish branch.
es at Alexandria. Amendments to the bill fol
the relief of the Banks were adopted. The bill
for the purchase of war material from J. L. Arch.
er, of Bellona Arsenal, was made the order of the
day for Saturday.
A number of bills were reported in the House
and resolutions were offered as follows; For re.
|quiring Banks to make annually exhibits of div.
idends paid, deposits unclaimed, &C.. for enforc-
ing the law requiring Banks to make quarterly
statements of their condition; and authorizing
Justices tofssue garnishee process on judgments
rendered by them. The Governor sent in a mes
sage calling attention to the urgent necessity oil
immediate action in regard to the Armory. A
number of petitions were presented. An adjourn.
ment till Saturday was resolved on. The bill for
the relief of the Covington and Ohio Railroad
was put on its passage and lost, for want of q
constitutional majority.