Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-04-02
Virginia Legislature.

SATURDAY, March 23rd-The Senate laid on
the table the bill imposing taxes for the support
of government. The Auditor OF Public Accounts
sent in communication responding to resolu
ton asking Information as to any increase of tax
es necessary TO carry on the Government, and to
liquidate present and prospective liabilities of
the State, in which he recommends an increased
rate OF taxation equal to go cents on every hun
dred dollars value OF property, and on every
other subject in the same proportion. The bill
concerning the Covngon and Ohio Railroad was
made the order OF the day for Wednesday next,
at II O'Clock. Joint resolutions were offered
aud laid over, under the rules, declaring, first,
that it Is inexpedient and unnecessary for the
United States to make any addition to its mill
tary or naval forces in this Slate at the present
time; second, that such addition can only be re-
garded as q menace or threat to Virginia; third,
authorizing the Governor, in order to carry out
the provisions of existing laws, to contract with
one or more persons for the manufacture and re-
pair OF arms at the Armory; fourth, suspending
all loans or subscriptions to works OF internal inn
provement until the General Assembly shall 9TH
erwise order. Sundry bills were passed, among
them bills "relatve to the limitation of suits,
as to limit the right to make an entry, or bring
an action to recover land west of the AlleghaDy
Mountains" and House bill amending certain
militia laws.
In the House, biHs were reported for organi-
zing the metropolitan Guard, of this city, and
amending the charter of the Bank of Richmond.
A resolution was offered by Mr.. McCue, and a.
dopted, declaring the PeniteDtiary to have been
an incubuson the State Treasury for several years
past, and directing special committee toinqure
into the expediency of hiring cut the labor Of the
convicts to some contractor, who shall employ
them in dressing granite for the erection of q
new Penitentiary house and State Capitol, and
also of the expediency OF dsposing of the fabrics
in the Penitentiary now on hand, and of renting
out that institution. The bill authorizing the
Auditor of Public Accounts to release the sure
ties of defaulting Sherifa, in certain cases. was
passed. The appropriation bill was then consid-
cred.
| MONDAY, March 25th-The Senate passed, a.
mong number of other bills, one amending the
charter of the Bank of Richmond. The tax bill
was debated, amended aud laid on the table,
The bill suspendng appropriations to works OF
| internal improvement was discussed.
| The House passed bill changing the names
of the State Lunatic Assylums Senate bill pay.
| ing the Adjutant General additional compensa :
ton was passed. The bill relative to suits fol-
the recovery of western lands was laid on the
table. The Appropriation bill was debated.
| NIGHT SESSION OF THE LEGIsLATURE.-The
House was called 10 order at half-past seven o.
clock by Mr.. Tomn On motion of Mr.. Keen
the bill to stay executions was taken up and
made the order OF the day for Thursday next
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Crump, for leave
to bring in q bill requiring the Banks to resume
specie payment after the Mary land Banks have
done SO. 1t was debated, and Indefinitely post
pOned. A bill was passed for incorporating the
Little Kanawha Mining and Manufacturing Com
pany also, a bill repealing sections %, 20, 80
81 and 80 of the Gods of Virginia, relative to
the resumption of specie payment by the Banks
By leave, Mr.. Christian reported bill for the
incorporation of the Staunton Savings Banks
which was read twice. Mr.. Watts offered res
olution for resembling the rule adopted on Friday
which required the CHAR to be vacated at 2, and
resumed again. at II o'clock. Objected to by
Mr.. Duckwall, and laid over. Adjourned.