Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-03-19
Virginia LEGISLATURE.

WEDNESDAY, March l3 n-In The Senate the
rules We're suspended, aud the bill Communicate ed
from the House for the incorpor alton OF The Rich
mond AID Liverpool Packe: Company taken up
and passed. The Committee for Courts 1T JUS
tice, to whom was referred resolution asking
for Stay Law, reported it inexpedie1; to make
any such recommendation. Alter some other
unlmportant business, the Senate adjourned.
In The House, the Senate bill authorizing the
inspection OF guano and plaster was taken up
and read twice, when Mr.. Mckenzie addressed
that body in opposition to said bill. aud desired
It's reference to the proper committee He re-
garded the inspectorship as nothing more than
an unnecessary imposition of taxes upon the peO-
pie of Virginia, and tending only TO bestow upon
certain persons large salaries for doing nothing.
He was opposed to the principle OF creating Off
ces for the remuneration of political tricksters
and party wire-workers. The bill was 80 COM
mitted. The special committee on free negroes
reported a bill for the voluntary enslavenent of
certain free negroes in the county of Appomat-
tox. Mr.. Magruder offered ryder to the bill
for the voluntary enslavement of tree negroes
without compensation to the Commonwealth,
which bill, withthe ryder thereto attached, pass
ed. The unfinished business of Tuesday coming
up next in order, being the bill to ratily the sale
of the James River and Kanawha Company, sew
eral amendments were offered thereto and dis
cussed at length, after which the bill was order.
ed to its engrossment.
THURSDAY, March 14th-In the Senate, bills
were passed increasing the pay OF certain officers
of the Public Guard; amending the law concern
ing births, deaths and marriages. incorporating
the Commonwealth Savings Bank of Richmond;
Incorporating the Virgidia Car Spring Company;
extending the corporate limits OF Fredericksburg
and Ohristiansburg; a bill for the relief of the
Virginia Rifles was rejected for the want of a
constitutional majority also, for the same rea-
son, the bill authorizing loan to the Western
Military College. On motion of Mr.. Wickbam,
a special committee was appointed to inquire in
to the expedency of employing portion of the
Pententiary convicts in quarrying and dressing
granite with view to the erection of q new
Capitol. -. - --s-
The time of the House was consumed in dis
cussiDg slight Senate amendment to House bill
authorizing the issue of one million of dollars in
Treasury notes. A report relative to the condi-
ton of the Penitentiary and the store Herewith
connected, was read and referred to the Finance
Committee. 1t seems 10 be- the general impress
sion at this time that the bill for the sale of the
Canal will pass both branches of the General
Assembly.
FRIDAY, March 15-The Senate passed num-
Der of bills, including one incorporating the In
surance Company of the State of Virginia, of
Richmond. A bill was reported for amending
the charter of the Holidays Cove Railroad.
The House passed number OF. Senate bills,
including bills increasing the pay of certain Off
GERS of the Public Guard; extending the corpo-
rate limits of Fredericksburg, and incorporating
the Commonwealth Savings Bank OF Richmond.
The bill allowing additional compensation to the
Adju,ant General, for the years 1859 go, was
laid on the table. The bill for the sale of the
James River and Kanawha Canal to the French
Company being on its engrossment, was called
up and passed ayes 115, does Q. The members
of the House did themselves honor by the
promptness and unanimity with which they act
ed on this important bill. Its passage was i'm
mediately communicated to the Senate.
! ~ The Cabinet had two sessions on Thurs