Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-02-10
Legislature.
SENATE, Jan. 3D.
REsoTuTJ0Na.

By Mr.. Nash-Of waiting upon the war De-
partment of the Confederate States and ascertain
portation of private freight the railroads of
this commonwealth, which will be consistent with
the public defense.
BY Mr.. Neeson-Of imposing civil disabilities
on certain traitorous citizens aiding the enemy
in the pending war.
BY Mr.. Christian, of Augusta-Of so amending
the law authorizing free negroes to be sold into
slavery as to require clerks of courts to report
the amount of purchase money in each case to
the Auditor of Public Accounts, as charge a.
gainst the Sheriff receiving it.
HoUsE.-The ExtortIon bill was now taken up,
and Mr.. Hunter concluded his argument against
it. He was followed by Mr.. Lynn in favor OF
the bill.
Mr.. Forbes offered a resolution that all debate
on the subject cease on Monday at half past one
O'Clock, which was rejected.
SENATE, Feb. e
RESOLUTIONS.
The following resolutions were adopted and re-
ferred to the appropriate committees
By Mr.. Frazier-Of requesting the Governor
to transmit to the Senate copies of the contracts
that have been made under his authority with
proprletorS of iron works for the hire of negro
convicts for the current year.
By Mr.. Alderson-Of exempting all owners OF
slaves in the Commonwealth from the payment
Vi LAKES upon tuelr slaves VINO nave lieu To Guc
enemy and are now within their lines, and also,
to exempt from taxation all property destroyed
or seized and carried away by the public enemy.
HoUsE.-The bill amending the act refunding
money received for exemption from military SER
vice was ordered to its engrossmeDt.
| On motion of Mr.. Bouldin the House insisted
upon their disagreement with the Senate in its
| amendment to he House bill providing for the
exemption of persons from militia duty, who
hava f1,rpi cub inf ord cd for
mittee Of Conference.
The consideration of the ExtoItion Bill was
resumed pursuant to order.
| The discussion Of this subject occupied the re-
mainder of the session, III which Mr.. Robertson,
| of the city of Richmond, made an elaborate ar
gument adversely to the Committee substitute.
| SENATE, Feb. a.
GREENBRIER BRIDGE.
| The Committee on Internal Navigation pre-
| sented report deciding it expedient to recon-
mend the building of bridge across the Green
| brier River in Greenbrier county, Va.
/ HoUsE.-Mr. Burks, from the Committee on
Courts, reported bill authorizing county courts
to impress certain articles for county purposes
| The Extortion bill was resumed and made the
order of the day for tomorrow.
| SENATE, Feb. A.
| BILL PASSED.
| substitute for the bill to provide for the
discharge from active military service of persons
who have furnished substitutes.
| RESOLUTIONS.
/ Resolutions as follows, were adopted and re-
ferred to the appropriate committees
| By Mr.. Whittle-Of making the following per-
sons liable to taxation in addition to the taxes
| they now pay
| l. Citizens exempted from military duty in
| the Confederate service.
/ rad wi n ara ra
quired to obtain licenses, ard who are exempt
| from military duty in the Confederate States
| 3. Unnaturalized foreigners residing or hold
ing property within this Commonwealth.
By Mr.. Christian, of Augusta-Of reporting
House bill authorizing the appointment of conn
ty agents and storekeepers to supply families Of
soldiers and citizens with the necessaries Of life
at prime cost.
/ HoUsE.-On motion of Mr.. Grattan, the bill tt
refund money to Friends, &C., paid to the State
i for exemption from military duty, because of the
action to the same effect taken by the Confede
rate Government, was taken up and passed.
/ The bill providing against extortion, being
the standing order ofthe day, was now resumed
i Various amendments were proposed, discussed
and disposed of, and some forty speeches made
as the various questions arose. Pending the
discussion, the House adjourned.
Legislature.
SENATE, Feb. g.
\ SENATE BILL PASSED.
/ An act amending act entitled, ssan act to
refund money for exemption, passed January /
| 1861
CULTIVATION OF TOBACCO AND GRAIN.
The bill limiting the production of tobacco
and increasing the production Of grain, after
| long debate, was defeated-ayes IL noes ~
! RESOLUTION.
The following resolution was adopted and APP
propriately referred:
By Mr.. Whittle-That the Governor of this
Commonwealth communicate to the Senate all
the arms of every kind which have been handed
over to the Confederate Government by the State
of Virginia, and on what terms; also the terms
on which the State of Virginia repairs arms for
| the Confederacy, and also, whether any arms
passed by the State of Virginia have been return
ed to it by the Confederacy, and on what terms.
On motion of Mr.. Johnson, the Senate ad-
journed.
HousE.-The report of the Committee of Con-
ference on the disagreement of the two Houses,
on the bill to provide for the discharge from
military service of those who have furnished su b.
stitutes, was taken up. 1t slightly modifies the
original bill, as amended by the House. There
/ being defect in the construction of the bill, it
was returned to the Senate, by which it had been
passed, with the request that the committee be
revived to reconsider it. The Senate, in reply,
requested the return Of the bill, amended it as
desired and returned it to the House.
| An adverse report was made from the Com
mittee en- the Penitentiary to the resolution con-
corning the employment of conyicts upon the
public works.
| Mr. Fleming offered resolution, which was
adopted, instructing the Committee Salt to
| inquire as to the renewal of county contracts
with the Smythe and Washington Salt Works.
| Several bills were advanced on the calendar.
| The consideration of the Extortion bill was
now resumed, and occupied the attention of the
House until adjournment.
Pending the consideration of the bill, Major
General Sterling Price appearing within the hall,
the order was suspended, on motion of MIR. Rob-
ertson, Of the city of Richmond, who offered the
following resolution, which was unanimously
adopted:
Resolved, That Major General Sterling Price
be invited to a privileged seat on the floor of
this House.
Gen. Price was conducted by Mr.. Anderson,
of Botetourt, to the centre of the transverse
aisle, where he was greeted by the Speaker (Mr.
Shefey) from his seat in the following words -
General Price--I take pleasure liz communicating
to you the resolution just adopted, rendering to
you privileged seat upon the floor Of this
House during your sojonra in the city Of Rich
mond-an honor due to your gallant services to
your country-set vices which will be ever cher
ished and embalmed in nations gratitude.
Gen. Price.-Mr. Speaker, feel grateful to
the Legislature ofmy native State for the honor
it has conferred upon me.
The General then received the salutations of
individual members, and was conducted to a
seat on the left of the Speaker.
SENATE, Feb. e.
MAJ.C GEN STERLING PRICE.