Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-04-05
COTTON, COTTON YARNS, COTTON
CLOTH AND CARDS FOR THE PEo.
PIE OF VIRGINIA.

On the 9th OF March, the last Legislature
passed an act providing for the purchase and
distribution among the people of the State of
raw cotton, cotton yarns, cotton cloths and hand
cards. For this purpose the sum of $4,000
was appropriated. These articles are to be
purchased for cash by the commercial Agent
| Of Virgins" Col. s. Bassett French--and by
him sold for cost and charges to suIh agents as
the different counties and corporations may ap-
point for the purpose Of obtaining them. Such
agents are required to pay cash, and are enti-
tied to q supply 10 proportion to the population
of the counties and corporations for which they
are appointed to act. We hope our County Court
will at an early day appoint suitable agent to
act for this County. The following is sy-
nopsis the law:
l. It provides for the establishment of an
agency in the City of Richmond 'sfor the purpose
of purchasing for, and selling to, the people
of this State, raw cotton, cotton yarns, cotton
oloth, cotton aud woolen cards." and authorizes
the Governor to appoint an agent to be known
by the name and style of "The Commercial
Agent of Virginia" who before entering upon
the discharge of his duties, shall execute bond
with Sufficient securities to be approved by the
Governor, "in the penalty of three hundred
thousand dollars.
3. 1t provides for the procurement, with the
approval OF the Governor, of sufficient buildings
'1or State warehouse" J" and authorizes the ap-
pointnent of clerks aud laborers.
8. Authorizes the Governor to make requisia
tions on the several cotton factories in the State
to manufacture raw cotton, to be furnished by
the commercial agent, and cotton yarns, at
rria No fo coaI fhat, h,& r.
Government for similar goods, deducting the
cost of the raw material furnished by the State.
"The gross amount of the acquisitions to be ap-
portioned among the several factories" accor-
ding to their respective capacities "But the
proceeds and labor of said factories shall not be
required for the use of the State 80 as to inter-
fere with or impede the operation Of the same
for the Confederate Government"
1. From failure on the part of any such
factory, or refusal to comply with the requisi-
ton of the Governor, the company is subject
for each failure or refusal to penalty of ''tive
thousand dollars, to be recovered on motion in
the Circuit Court of the city OF Richmond, up
on the motion OF the Auditor of Publc ac-
couDts.n
5. 1t is made the duty of the commercial
agent, under direction of the Governor s'to pur>
chase, for cash, raw cotton, cotton yarns, cotton
cloths, cotton and woolen cards, in this or any
other Of the States of this Confederacy, to be
"sold by the said agent at cost and charges,
including interest on advances and all the ex-
penses of the agency, TO the different counties,
cities and towns" through agents ITO be ap-
pointed by the county and corporation courts
respectively" or by the Governor, where said
courts cannot because of the presence or proximi-
ty of the public enemy. Such county agent to
give bond with sureties in penalty to be fixed
by the courts. Suoh county agent to pay cash
for all his purchases, ard i. entitled to receive
from the commercial agent Of the articles
above enumerated in proportion to the popnls-
tion of county, city or town, including refugees
and sojourners, citizens of Virginia-to be sold
10 permanent citizens thereof for their OWE and
family use, and not to spectators or retailers.
All money arising from suoh sale shall be paid
at the end of each month into the public treasu-
ry by the agent.
6. To carry out the provisions of this act, i've
hundred thousand dollars is appropriated.
Z. The commercial agent is required to make
quarterly statements to the Governor of all his
transactions, and the Governor, at his will, may
appoint commissioner, who shall, on oath,
examine the papers, vouchers and accounts of
such agency, and make report thereon.
8. Provides for the salary of the commercial
agent and his clerks and their travelling expen-
ses.
8. The act shall be in force from its passage,
and shall continue In force during the exis-
tence of the war.