Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-01-27
Legislature.
SENATE, Saturday, Jan. II, 1863

SENATE, 0dtutuay3 oou. - > 1Coc
TRIBUTE TO THE LADIES OF VIRGINIA.
Mr.. Whittle submitted the following preamble
and resolution
Virginia has witnessed with admiration and
gratitude the patriotic fortitude and charity
which her women have displayed from the COM
mencement of the war, and her Representatives
in the General Assembly deem it their solemn
duty to furnish lasting memorial of these exal-
ted virtues, for the benefit of posterity, and OF
the civilized world.
To the women of the Confederate States it was
reserved to be the first in human annals to de-
vote themselves as efficient and powerful, agents
of war, in systematic and enlarged enterprises
for encouraging enlistments, feeding and cloth
ing troops, and organizing and conducting hos
pitfalls.
They have thus largely contributed to nerve
the Of the soldier and mitigate the horrors of
war.
Impelled by an instinct which taught them that
safety aid honor could no longer be expected
from an association with our enemies, the wo-
men of Virginia were the early and ardent friends
war which they saw was Inevitable. With sys
of separation and active laborers in preparing for
tematic energy they went forward to equip the
sold iers and put them in the field when SICK
ness and wounds had filled oar camps and strew-
cd battle fields, relief in every shape OF COM
fort was afforded in the ample hospitals which
they provided; when their towns and homes
and tender young ones driven to the shelter OF the
skies, they witnessed, with calm fortitude, the
destruction of all bus what they held IN their
hands when the edict of the enemy attempted
to fill their chambers with servle foes, the threat
fell dead on their undaunted breasts; and their
persistent efforts give full to Virginia,
that their courage will fail only when her last
man has qualed, and the pulse Of Southern lib
erty has ceased to beat
History, satisfied with general narratives, may
not Derpetuate with suitable record deeds and
sentiments SO elevated. To Illustrate V1rglnla,s
appreciation of them, to exhibit to the world
the character of the civilization out they
grew, to perpetuate their evidence for the use OF
history and to publish them for the benefit OF
| the human race
Resolved, That the thanks Of Virginia be ten
dered to those of her women who have contrlbu-
ted to the above objects, and in her mighty name
they are entreated to continue their labors un-
| til the independence of the Confederate States
shall be established.
That such records as may be kept by the sew
eral hospitals and aid societies, containing evil.
dence of the services or contributors OF the Wo-
men of Virginia towards the soldiers OF the Con-
federate States, properly authenticated by the
presiding authority thereof, be transmitted TO
the Secretary Of this Commonwealth to be pre-
/ served.
That we deem it due to the women of Virgin
| that when the present troubles shall have ov-
|
ry of the tender and sublime virtues which they
have displayed during this war.
On motion Of Mr.. Thompson, the rules were
suspended in order that the proposition might
| be considered forthwith.
The preamble and resolution were then unani-
mously adopted.
HousE.-On motion of Mr.. Voolfolk, a reso-
luton was adopted appointing special commit
tee of five to Investigate the charges of defcien-
cy of quality and quantity of rations to slaves at
work in the public service, and their general
| treatment.
Mr.. Tomlin offered a resolution that the Com
mittee on Courts inquire into the expediency OF
protecting by law the people of this Common
| wealth against impreSsments OF their property
| by the officers of the Confederate Government.
| Mr.. Saunders, of Campbell, by way Of amend
i ment, offered resolution that committee of
/ five be appointed to confer with the Secretary CT
| War in regard to the subject of impressments,
| with view to agree upon some better mode to
secure the public interests than the present sys-
tenn of arbitrary impressments.
SENATE, Jan. 19.-The Senate, upon motion
/ af Mr.. Penny hacker, receded from its second
amendment to the act to refund money received
| for exemption from military duty, and the bill
/ became law.
Mr.. Collier offered joint resolution in rela-
/ tion to increasing the per diem of the members
4 of the General assembly at the next regular ses-
sion and thereafter to the end Of the war.
| The following resolutions were adopted, in
| structng the appro; rate committees to ialuire
! into the expediency Of
| By Mr.. Anderson OF repeating the 9th section
of the act imposing taxes for the support of the
Government, SO that the sheriffS and commits
sioners of the revenue of the Commonwealth of
| Virginia shall receive the same compensation as
| if the act had been passed. ases18f.
By Mr.. Christian, Of Augusta-Of post poning
the general election of Virginia from the fourth
Thursday in May to the fourth Thursday in DC
| tober, 1868.
HoUsE.--Mr. Hunter, OF Jefferson, was of opin-
ion that this matter could not be properly ar
ranged by any legislation ca the part of this
| body, but would be most advantageously dis
posed of by the Confederate Congress He off
cred an amendment to the effect that the COM
mittees proposed should confer with any COM
mittee of the Confederate Congress which is or
may be appointed en- this subject.
| Mr.. Saunders, of Franklin, offered as an
amendment that the conference be with the Con-
federate authorities instead OF the Secretary of
War, or the Committee OF Congress. ~
| Acceded to by Mr.. Sanders, of Campbell.
The resolution and amendments were, on mo-
tion of Mr.. James, referred to the Committee on
| Confederate Relations.
! The Speaker announced the following Com
mIttee on Confederate Relations :-Messrs. New
| ton, Rives, Robertson Of Richmond, Edmonds,
Hunter. Barbour, Grattan, Saunders of Camp
bell, Dabney, Bass, McCamant, Egleston, and
Lockridge.
| Mr.. Lundy offered resolution instructing
our Senators and requesting our Representatives
in Congress to use their influence to procure the
passage of an act regulating impressments. Re-
| ferred to the Committee on Confederate Rela-
| tons.
1 SENATE, Jan. 2O.-The President presented q
| communication from the Executive transmitting
| letter from Hon. A. r. Boteler, enclosing q
copy of Gen. Milroy's proclamation to the citi-
gems of Frederick county, Va, dated January s.,
| 1868, enforcing the late proclamation of Presi-
dent Lincoln, declaring freedom to the slaves,
and, denouncinR as Rebels all persons in said
county who resist said proclamation.
The Governor proceeded to reflect in terms of
unqualified severity upon the course which Lin
coin has adopted and to endorse the recommen-
dation Of President Davis that said Milroy and
| his coadjutors be, when captured, delivered to
the authorities of the several States, to be tried
by the laws thereof.
HoUsE.--A message was received from the
Senate asking concurrence in resolution that
the Committees on Finance for both Houses
Jointly consider the expediency AID justice of
| increasing the per diem of the members of the
General Assembly at Its next session, and during
| the war.
! The resolution was adopted.
| Mr.. McCamant, in view of the fact that the
| Special CO mmittee on Salt, organized last Sep
TENDER, being FUNCTUs 0FFIoIo, having discharged
| its duty, moved that the said committee be re-
vived, which, being adopted, he offered the fol-
lowing resolution, which was also agreed to:
| Resolved, That the Special Committee on Salt
| inquire into the expediency of so amending the