Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-09-16
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
EXTRA SESSION.
SENATE.

TUEsRAr, Sept is, 1858.
Prayer by Rev. DR.. Reid, Of the United Presbyterian
Church.
MORRIS D. NEWMAN, elected to supply the vacancy
In the representation from the 9th Senatorial Dsir Ct
occ STONED by the death OF w. T. Patton appeared, and
the eaths pre- rbed were administered 10 him by the
| CT rs and he thereupon took his seat.
Mr. NEWMAN of Mason, submit ed a resolution
fixing the hour Of do IL meeting at IL o'clock, NJ,
which, his notion was lad on the table for the pre-
sent.
Mr.. DICKINSON submitted a resolution. for night
session Of lie Senate. jectCd
On mo ion OF Mr. STEPHENSON, it was
Resolved That the Adjutsn. General of the Com-
monu eah be rqu sted 10 inform the Senate, as ear
as practicable the numbtr quantity and description OF
arms now subject to bis disposition.
RESOLUTIONS OF MQUIRY.
The appropriate committees were instructed to inquire
into the expedency-
BIZ Mr.. SPITLER-Of making it compulsory the
county provide means for the support OF the
destitute families of soldiers.
| By Mr. DILLARD-0f providing for per noet,Bl
com pensaon 10 members Of II e General Assembly,
| (Laid on the table
By Mr.. CHRISTIAN, of No referring so much Of
the Governors age refers V. ~ lnstiiue aud
10 the Pemtentiary, - Committee OF Public Institution
By Mr. STEPHENSON OF granting 10 deb'oTs the
privilege of rendering in payment Of all debs now due,
or that may become due during the war, Confederate
aes Treasury es and in the debtor refuses 10
receive said notes Ia payment then in that event the
interest on sa debts TO from the date of said
tender.
By Mr.. BRANCH-0f authcrz pg the trans 'er of Ger.
tsa causes now depending and undetermined the Cir
cut Court for the city Of Will amsburg and county Of
James City 10 the Circuit Court of Henrlco.
By Mr.. C0GHILL-0f authorizing the county cour
to levy tax in kind, money tax, Tor the support
of soldiers families.
By the same i, OF ausF orizng the county courts, be-
f.. NJ rff. HE with
trans pnration TO arrest proceedings upon the owner
entering into bonds for the ale Of said slave, IN the
mode now prescribed by law for the sae Of negro con-
Vcts
By Mr. GUY-0f placing in the public service all free
ne gfues who are undergoing may hereafter incur
sentence Of confinement in any county corporation
ail in punishment Of auy m sdemeanor committed
PREvENTIoN AND PUNISHMENT OF DEsEETIoN.
Mr.. RANDOLPH introduced bill for T. e further re-
lief of the fam lies of persons in the military service Of
the State or Of the Confederate States.
Mr. r. said that his object in offering this bill was to
meet objections which had been used, ia argument,
against the pending bill to oudaH deserters The b Ii
nov Introduced proposed to require the county courts
to provide for the destitute families OF soldiers aud so
to appropriate $50 900 for the relief Of such families
within the eucmys lines. Tho bill was referred 10 the
Committee for Courts Of Justice
The Senate resumed the consideration of the bill to
outlaw deserters from the Confederate service.
Mr. DOUGLAS, of King William addressed the Sen
ate in opposition TO the bill in i's present form. he
characterized it. without dsrespect to the sc 'lsman
who had framed il, as a bill of sbomnaionL He read
toy way of argument substitute denouneing deerticn
a. felony req r ng offenders when tried by the civil
cour TO be punished By the civil courts and in of
conumacy the courts to proceed in any other case
of con urnacv and pronounce jidgmeBt Of outlAWTy
accord ng to the general law. Mr.. D. argued further
that the bill was unconstitutional, iaasmucn II en-
braced in addition to the penalty for destr.ion pro-
vision amending the law Of divorces
Mr.. Seldom, of Stafford, replied TO the arguu EMS
of Mr. Douglas aud earnestly advocated the passage Of
the bill.
Mr. GUY, Of Goochand, argued that the bill was
post tdcio IN ts operation. Ii proposes to punish
crime which has already been committed, M the
offender viii u.ake atonement ny Teturai TO the
vice. L. is therefore violation Of the spirit OF our
Constitution 10, only in this respect but in another
a. that instrument secured every cit zen OF Virginia
the right TO be- confronted with his accuser and to
fair trial This bill proposed to accept as conclusive
the Judgment Ct a court martial, compose fer Aught
that we know Of persons unqualified to &c in the grave
capacity Of Judges. There still another conssitu-
ona objection in that part of the bill which subjected
the deserier a:tsndea provision clearly in viola
tion Of the 3 i Of Rights. hr. q. specified other OBJ
ieotcns the bill and urged that the proper remedies
Tor the crime o. 6esertion ample provision tor the
fures requiring tho civil aud military authorities o. the
ate to aid in lie arrest Of deserters. He noped the
bill would be rec 'mUtted.
Ga molten OF Ar. TAYLOR, of Montgomery the bill
was nded SO as 10 strike the clause prohibiting
deferler from contracting marriage-yeas 81 nays ID
Pending tie further Discussion of the bill, the Senate