Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-10-17
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
EXTRA SESSION.
SENATE.

SENATE.
FRIDAY, October 10, 1868.
Prayer by the Rev. Mr. sprigg, of the Episcopal
Church.
communication from the House was read, announc.
ing the passage of certain bills.
pILL PASSED.
The bill, reported from the House, authorizing the
Board of Public Works, acting as board OF supervi-
sors to modify the contract of lease between Stuart
Buchanan Co and Tnos. K. Friend relating to the
salt sapply-was taken up and the rules having been
suspended, passed.
ARNISa AND IoUIPPNG MILITIA.
Senate bill, having for its object the arming and
ecu pplpg of the Virginia militia, reported from the
House with material amendments, was laid the ia
be-the special patron CT the bill being abaent from
his seat
IMPORTANT COMMUNICATIONS
message from Gov. Letlber was read, accompanied
by number of documents In relation 10 the Coniede.
rate On tobacco stored 10 the public warehouses.
Among the papers was com muncaton recommending
that the Legislature appropriate sufficient amount of
money disburse the taxes. The Governors message
says:
We have tobacco warehouses, at which inspections
are made, at Richmond, Petersburg, Farmvie, Lynch
bug DAnv.lle, and perhaps other places, and the
amount OF tobacco stored in each is ut this time very
large Dorels warehouse, in this city, is one Of the
Smallest and reference TO one OF the papers commu-
nieated will be tia the amount OF taxes claim
ed on tobacco therein stored amounts to S45,lS7 90
Taking this the basis OF calculation, it will DO found
that the amount necessary TO be appropriated if the
views Of the Secretary adopted, will exceed half
million Of dollars.
He says the State laws clearly define the responsible
ties CT inspection and afi1 the proper penalties for
volai'p They are amenable to the State and to no
other authority whatever. "The line Of separation be-
tween Confederate and State authority pan distinct
and well defined. The States the sovereigns-ihe
Confederate Government is the creature called into
is,ence by those soveregus The States retain all pow
which has not been specifically delegate 10 the Con-
ierae Government which is not necessary TO carry
into effect the delegated powers. Every citizen owes
allegiance tc his State, AID fidelity TO the Confederate
Cover nment Every State Officer is responsible TO his
State while every Confederate officer is responsible to
the Confederate Government"
- believe the proper construction OF the
act of Congress is thai each individual owner Of the
tobacco ia liable for the taxi and that in giving 10 list
Of his other taxable prop erty, he is required to give in
the amount Of tobacco owned by him. matter where
j. stored whether in his own barn in public ware
house. and that the tax thereon is colecabe from him,
and from him only"
The Governor save: IL r.gret cannot concur wish
the Secretary in this matter and make the recommen
dation he desi IL has been o. much salts
facsion TO INC know that in almost everything else
VIII ca has been presented to for action
hy the Confederate authorities I.have been able 10
unite with them and 10 cid them in affecting the object
desired do not think IL wouM be wise in the Legis
,ture 10 make the appropriation suggested nor Go
think il necessary 10 do So to insuro the collection oil
the taxes II Is easy for the Confederate officer to take
st of tie tobacco with the DANES and residences OF
the owners and furnish this information to the colec.
tors Of the counties
"In conclusion, call your attention to On opinion of
the Attorney General in regard to proposition Of the
Secretary of the Treisury TO tax the State revenue on
deposit in the Banks the fist dav of July last. The
opinion of the Attorney General is very able, and
concur with him in the argument and the conclusion he
has arrived at The claim OF right 10 tax the State
revenue is most extraordinary, and without parallel in
the history of this Commonwealth"
The message and accompanying documents were laid
on the table and ordered 10 be printed
REGULATING PRICES.
0amotion, the bill regulating prices next taken ur
Col. PETERS, Of Washic gton county, delivered bis
views upon the subject leug i'll which he slreuuousy
opposed the bill. The remarks OF the Senator were
listened to With more than usual interest," as well on ac
count of the force Of his arguments because it
his first efort'in the Senate
Mr.. COLLIER said:
Being opposed to the bill, and especially opposed to
every the object Of which to FIX the prices CT
articles not produced in the STATE, have conferred
with my constituents much have bad oppor.ua-
ty since the bill was adopted believe my constituents,
who are farmers and merchants agree win ne.
This bill lie obi econabie, because i! is nequtabe in
its scope and nqusoal in its intended operations. IL
tile oil lhccn tIe farmer 10
aud but inls Of what he has to buy LIS iuqusorai
ard tyranncal characteristics appar mt in all it, po
vsions and inssparable from any legislation of the
kind.
had thought, Until the last session Of this Lsgsa-
ture that ali men, every where satisfied that this
kind Of legislation vicious in principle aud perni-
cious in practice. had supposed since the luminous
discussion 10 the British Parl ament in 1901 in time OF
great scarcity OF supplies and consequent widespread
distress in that country, that enlightened Leg saiue
would attempt the Improbable purposes contemplated
by this bill Ia that Parliament the Earl of Warwick
proposed to fix maximum. His motion rejected
srres adopted to custa consumpion-to stimulate
production-to invite importaions. That was the wiz
dom Of Old Elglnd in like critical period, aud shall
vote to Profit by her example.
am satisfied that redundant ca rency, in so faT as
his an evil in producing high ps, is its own sole
corrective 1t had well be said that fuel will not
burn If FIRE is set TO it, that commodities will not at
high prices when cheap currency is brought into
contact with them. Tie high pros Of one article viii bring
up the price Of another aud the high prices OF necessary
supplies will justify and secure to the toiDg thousands
an increas, OF the wages Of labor Spasmodc efforts
like this to lessen prices only have the eeos TO retard
that equalization which overloaded circulating me.
dunn will itself produce in both the ascending and the
descending scale.
mr.. NELSON followed in favor oflthe BILL and a:
the conclusion CT bis remarks motion. 1.-THE Senate
adjourned.
HOUSE OFDELEGATES.