Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-11-03
GEN NERAL ASSEMBLY.
EXTRA SESSION.
Oct. %

A SENATE, Oct. %
| DIsTILLATIoN.
On motion of Mr.. Christian, of Augusta, i
was
RESOLVED, That the Committee on Courts o
Justice inquire what additional legislation may
De necessary to prevent the abuse of the priv
lege OF distillatiOn under contracts with the Con-
federate States Government; and, if possible,
10 limit the great consumption Of grain under
such privilege. ~
VA. AND TENNESSEE RAILROAD. ~ :.
The bill authorizing an increase of the capital
stock of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad
Company, gave rise to some discussion, and the
bill was finally laid upon the table, in order to
give members an opportunity to inquire into its
merits. Il s a4tM
RE-oRGANIzING PENITENTIARY.
The bill for the reorganization of the Peniten.
tiary coming up regularly on its passage, was ex-
planned by the Chairman of the committee from
which it emanated.
TThe bill abolishes the Board of Directors, as
well as the Office of General Storekeeper and A
gent, and bestows the whole management upon
the Superintendent and Commissioner appoint
ed by the Governor
Mr.. Newton was not prepared for such radical
changes in the management of the institution
He opposed the bill.
Mr.. Hart thought radical changes were neces
sary in this particular instance. The Pententi-
ary had heretofore brought the State. in debt,
when it might have produced profit to the Com
monwealth. He favored the passage Of the bill.
The bill was passed by a vote of ayes 80, noes
Z Communicated to the House through Mr..
Christian, Of Middlesex, .~
ooMMurATIoN. @
House bill committing the pay of members of
the General Assembly was taken up.
fit provides that members shall receive $l2
for every 81 now authorized. Similar action
was had by the Legislature in 1871, during the
first revolution ss-z-t =.
The bill was finally defeated by vote of ayes
20, noes I8-it requiring 26 votes for its pas
sage.
On motion of Mr.. Christian, of Middlesex, the
vote by which the bill was lost was reconsdered
and the bill laid upon the table. ;
Mr.. Christian, of Augusta, proposed resolu-
tion for a special committee of three to inquire
into the expediency of further legislation, if any
is necessary, to having portion of the negroes
from counties along the line of the railroads,
who may be drafted to work on fortications, as
signed to work instead upon said railroads.
The Chair appointed Messrs. Christian, fAu-
gusta, Randolph, of ofRichmond city, and Lynch,
of Campbell as said committee.
On motion of Mr. Dickinson, the Senate ad-
journed.
HOUSE, Oct. %,
A resolution was offered by Mr.. Winston,
which was adopted, inquiring into the expedien- |
cy of increasing the pay of Commonweath's At
torneys and the fees of Revenue Commissioners, |
clerks of county and corporation courts and
county surveyors.
The bill to impress slaves for the repair of the
Central Railroad, was taken up and ordered to
its engrossment. 5@3
On motion of Mr.. Anderson, the bill to re-or-
ganize the State forces, taken up, and the a.
mendments of the Senate were considered.
The result of deliberation On the bill and a.
mendments was, that the House insisted upon
all its principal original amendments, and disa-
greed with most proposed by the Senate.
The contested election case between David
Chalmers, the sitting member, and George II.
West, the contesting member, of the House,
from Halifax, was taken up, and discussed till
adjournment.