Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-02-20

tempore in the chair. Prayer by Rev. DR..
Moore.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION.
A communication was received from the
Governor, transmitting a lettor from Adju-
tant General Richardson, in relation to the
State Line, also enclosing report from the
paymsster of said line. Referred and order
ed to be printed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
A bill to amend and re-cpsct the 4th and
9th sections Of chapter 81 Of the code.
A bill refunding to VIM. Ii. Hume, Sheriff
of Fauquior county, damages paid by him as
such.
BILLS PASSED.
House bill authorizing payment to B. b.
and J. w. Cooley, for 1 slave condemned to
DO hung.
Senate bill TO increase the allowance for
board and lodging Of jurors of criminal ca
ses.
RESOLUTIONS.
Resolutions of inquiry were adopted aud
appropriately referred.
JoINT REVOLUTIONS.
On motion of Mr.. COLLIER, the joint reso.
luton in relation 10 the arrest and detention
of Mr.. Collins, citizen of Virginia, by tho
Confederate State military authorities, was
taken up and adopted.
On motion of Mr.. NEEsoN, adjourned.
We are requested to State that Mr.. WILEY
is detained at home by sickness.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
The House met at eleven o'clock, and was
opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr.. Doggott
A communication from tho Governor in
relation to the salaries of salt agents, was re.
ferred to the Committee on Salt.
Tho bill empowering courts to Impress ar
ticles of prime necessity for private uses wss
Yariously amended and ordered to its engross-
mont.
Tho bill imposing taxes for the support Of
government was taken up. The bill covers
forty eight octave pages, and comprises nine-
ty.six sections. AS heretofore indicated,
the chief feature Of the bill is the increase Of
the general ratio Of taxation from sixty cents
to one dollar in tho hundred. The reading
Was proceeded with and several unimp0rtant
amendmont were made.
Tho hour Of twelve arriving tho corsidora-
ton Of the bill was suspended, and the sub
joct of tho alleged reousancy of Joseph r.
Crenshaw, agent of the Orenshaw Wooden
Mill, and George Whitfield, President of the
Franklin paper mill in failing to answer a
legal summons to attend and give evidence be-
fore the Committee on Eztortionate Prices,
was taken up.
MIR. Crenshaw appeared In tho Hall with
his counsel, A. A. Morson, Esq.
Mr.. HoPXrNs, chairman Of The committee,
said that he had conversed with Mr.. Cren-
shaw and discovered be was really All afflicted
man, and that his failure to attend the sum
mons Of The committee was, he felt satisfied,
not through design, but necessity. lie moved
that be 10 discharged, which the House
agreed to.
Mr.. Whitfield was then led to the bar Of
the House, by the Sargeant-at-arms, where
the cath was administered to him to make
true answers to questions that might be pro-
pounded.
s. Question by Mr.. HoPKMs, Of Petersburg
Will you state your reasUn, sir, for not an
sWering the summons of the Committee on
Extortionate Prices?
Mr.. Whitfeld.-The reason was, sir, that
was sick. / informed the person who
served the summons that Was very sick. l
was out then against the advice of my physi-
sian; but my secretary being away, went
to the mill to see how things were going on.
Question by MIR. HoPKNs.-Why did you
not send An affidavit to that effect.
Mr.. WH1rrRID.+ dA not think that was
necessary.
Question by Mr.. Hcqrss.-Was your con-
dision so dangerous that you could not hsve
come /?