Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-02-02
THE LEGISLATURE,

The Senate was engaged the most of the time
during its session on Saturday, the 23rd ult., in
discussing the Senate bill limiting the time for
the payment of the interest certain bonds of
the Commonwealth. The bill was finally ta-
bled.
A Senate bill amending the law, so as to linz
it the time for the payment of certain claims a.
gainst the Commonwealth passed.
In the HOUSE, bills to the following effect we're
reported
A bill to amend the charter Of the city of Pc
tersburg.
A bill to amend and re-enact the 4th section
of chapter 85 of the Code
bill making an appropriation to the Central
Lnnatio Asylum.
Mr.. McCae called up his bill for the promo
ton of the production of sheep, and the growth
of wool, for which he offered subs titute, and
| the same was adopted and ordered to its engross-
ment.
The bill authorizing The enrolment of free ne
| groes within the Commonwealth for employ
nlcnt by the Confederate Government was taken
up and substitute therefor adopted and order
ed to be printed.
The bill for the relief of soldiers families with
| in the lines, or in the power of the public enemy
had its appropriation increased from five hun
| dred thousand dollars TO one milton OF dollars.
| The bill was tabled ana the House adjourned.
In the SENATE ON Monday, the 25th, bill
was iatroduced making debts due to branch
banks within the eremy's lines payable to the
I
Mr.. Douglas proposed preamble and joint
resolution defining the law existing de-
claring militia officers not exempt from
scription.
A communication WIS raceived from Gov.
/ Smith III regard to the reserve o.at44 oree, &c
/ The militia bill was considered until lhe hour
Of adjournment.
HousE.-A bill was rcport ted for regulating the
/ charges of the Southern Express Company.
| Also bill author,sing connection between
the Richmond and Petersburg and the Richm)n
a Fredericksburg railroad Companies
In the SENATE on Tuesday, the 26th, the joint
resolution of Mr. Armstrong demonstrating against
the passage OF any law by Congress rendering
persons bstween the ages OF Is and 10 and 20
and 55 years liable to conscriptlon, which mad
been referred to the Committee on Confederate
Relations and reported back, with the recon- l.
mendaton that it pass, was taken up, agreed to,
am communicated to the House.
A bill was reported aurhoriz ng the transfer Of
/ certain bonds Of the State held in trust by the
United States for the Cherokee Indians, and pro-
vicing for the payment of interest thereon.
The considers of the militia Dill was
resumed Before reaching vote on the bill the
| Senate adjourned.
In the House the joint resolution OF the Sen
ate in regard liability of militia officers to con
scription was received and adopted
/ A bill from the Military Committee was in
troduced for organizing the State forces.
. Government was also Introduced.
A communication from the Governor similar
to that submitted to the Senate on the previous
day was read which, after an animated dlscus-
sion was tabled and ordered 60 be printed
|. The bill vacatiag the commissions OF militia
officers of the ate was called up and passed.
The bill approprating one million OF dollars
for the relief Of families of soldiers within The
epemy's lines was under discussion at the hour
Of adjournment.
In the Senate, on Wednesday, tho 9th. Mr.
Grice offered the following joint resolutions:
, !. |. Resolved, by the General Assembly,,
That no constitutional power exists In the Con
fedetae States to forfeit, contiscate, or s9qaes-
ter lands belonging to alien enemies, or TO any
other persons, lying within the limits OF ne com
| monweath; nor to acquire or convey titie q
any lands whatever, situated, except TO sucf
extent. and such objects as are specified in the
18th clause of the 9Th section ct tEe ISL article
!, the Confederate Constitution.
2. Resolved, That our Senators in tho Con
federate Congress be instructed, and our repre-
sentativeS therein requested, TO use thelF Deg
RI epaeayors to obtain repeal OF the act Oh ths
said Congress, passed on the Both of Augnst,lo6l
enti led, saa aet for The sequestraton OF tha es
tates property and effects of alien enemies, aho
s for the indemnity OF citizens OF tho Coniecefat'
Il States and persons aiding the same In the eH
;sting war with III Un,ted States - and TO enec
lust settlement with the Confederate anthori
I ties of the claim of this Commonwealth TO ths
lands or proceeds thereof heretofore or hefeai
ter seized, held or disposed OF unaer the pro
, visions of the said act
The bill to reorgan re tho militia OF ihe o1ale
being the orscr oi tue day, was then taken up
/. some further amendments mad, when.
Ga motion OF Mr.. Fat lor, the SeAate adJoasn
ed.
In the House the rosolatiobs from tsa Se'lssst
against extending the provisions OF the ooiisoii y
ton Act, were read the ii st and sscon '.i;o
4 motion WAS made 10 commit the resoias1oh
to the Military Committee
, Mr.. S.aci.e.ford advocated the commitment
Mr.. Hayniord, of Il arion, and MIR jones spoH'
against III. commitment
The House refused to commit.
Mr.. PeudIeten moved TO lag the reso Itions o.
the table, and ordered to be printed, which W.
i agreed TO
In the Senate, en- Thursday, the 18th, a reso
: lction was adopted looking 70 the voting OF so.
diers in camp tor coGnty officers
The cons,iesation of the militia bill was re
sumed and iaaly oriered TO be ensrossed