Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-01-26
THE LEGISLATURE.


| tion of inquiry was adopted as to whether the
| Superintendent of the Salt Works had transcen- l.
ded the powers given to him SO far relates to
impressments, and whether any Legislation is
necessary to compel him to carry out in COED
faith the contracts and liabilities ente red into
and assumed by Stuart, Buchanan & Co., as to
the property which was transferred by them to
the State.
In the HOUSE bills were reported for the relief
of the personal representatives of A. B. Urq u
hart, JOS. E. Gilliett, ara Madison J. Davis ;au
thorSing the payment of a sum of money toHen-
ry Ezali, of Richmond, for drawings, plans, and
specifications of the arnlory and, providing for
the impressment of slaves for hospital purpo-
SeS.
A resolution of inquiry for the reorganizati ation
Of Office Of fRegister of the Land Office was adop-
ted.
Also, resolution for making an appropriation
to the Chimborazo and other hospitals where Vir-
gnla soldiers are treated.
Also, one for the encouragement of domestic
manufactures, and one for amending the law
now in force in regard to ordinary licences.
The House, by resolutions, agreed to meet on
and after Monday, at the hour of IL O'Clock A.
NJ.
The balance of the session was consumed In
the consideration of the bill regulating railroad
transportation.
In the Senate on Monday, the 18th, Mr.. Collier
offered a resolution that it be referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs to enquire and
make report by bill or otherwise, whether it is
expedient to authorise the Governor, under suit
able. provisions TO be prescribed by such Dill, to
raise, organize and arm military force OF vol
| unteers of not less than fifteen nor more than
thirty thousand mon, who shall be held in read
mess to be, and who viii be, in Richmond, for
the defence of the Capitol of the Confederate
States, whenever the enemy shall be there or in
the vicinity at any time during this war.
In presenting this resolution Mr.. Collier said
/ 10fi ioN.i lU and Of
course, would be referred but he wished to re-
| mark that whilst he as we'll satisfied as any
Senator or other person, that 1T behooveS
the legislative authority of the State and of the
Confederate States, to muster strong force In
the field for the coming Spring campaign, yet he
| did not believe that any organization of the
| little remnant of the militia remaining in the
| State would be as efficient as such volunteer
force as the resolution suggests, whilst the re-
organization of the militia would be much more
costly. He believed the volunteer force might
be raised, and would less distract the country
than anv militia array would. He believed VOL
unteers might be got throughout the Confeder-
acy to defend the Capitol and that the maxi
mum number suggested might be raised and he
hoped the proposition would receive the atten-
ton OF the Committee.
By Mr.. Dulaney-Th hat the Committee on Mil
itary Affairs inquire into the expedieRcy of "a
| mending the exemption laws OF the State, and
report by bill otherwise.
In the House it was moved that the bill for the
| enrolment of the Sta.e forces be taken up out
of its order on the calendar.
Mr.. Burwell admitted the great importance of
| the bill, but he hoped that his friend Mr.. An
derson]would permit the bill in regard to RAIL
road transportation to be taken up and disposed
of, as it had already been discussed for two days
and he believed that, if now taken up, could be
| passed without delay.
| Mr.. Anderson said that he regretted he lad to
oppose the taking up of that bill again, as he be-
lieved that every clause in it would elicit as
much debate as the clauses proceeding had al
ready called forth.
Mr. Haymond said that the enrolment bill
was very important. He had understood that
the Confederate Senate had, on Saturday, pass
ed bill extending the conscript age to 30 years.
| Mr. Anderson thought that it was very apoc-
| rypha whether the bill would pass the lower
| House of Congress. He said that it did not
matter, however, if tho State would organise the
| troops it would greatly facilitate the action of
| the Confederate Government IN getting these
troops into the field, when the exigencies of the
country required their presence TO obstruct the
raids of the enemy.
| Tie question being put, the House reIasad 10
| take up the bill out of its order.
In the Senate, on Tuesday, the 18TH, bill
| was Introduced to incorporate the Va. Porcelain
| and Earthenware company IN Augusta county.
/ A resolution, demonstrating against the pas
! sage by the Confederate Congress OF an act con-
55 years, and recommending our representatives
in Congress to use their efforts against the pas
| sage of such law, was properly referred. Ao-
journed.
In the House a bill was reported for the ex-
tension of the Jurisdiction OF the corporation oi
| Danville. :,
| A resolution of inquiry was adopted Tor d.
| rectinp sujtabe hospital accommodations at
| Staunton, in lieu of the deaf and dumb ana
+! blind institution now occupied
The bill for the enrolment OF the State forces
was next called up, extensively discussed, ana
during the consideration of the subject the House
adjourned. ao,,
In the Senate on "Wednesday, the 2Oth, res
olution to deveope and encourage comes'le
manufactures, and to place within the reacn oi
the people the means of procuring such llnpie-
merits and machinery as may be made, was adopt-
cd.
| Also. a resolution for the appointment OF an
accent to collect the names, with the rank, com
pany, regiment, &C., of all Virginia soloiers
who have been or who may be heraltcr musse!So
into the Confederate service, ana tIana0lioe l"'
the same into suitable books OF record, TO De pre-
sarvad as mementoes in the archives OF the State
Adjourned ,.:o o,,,;no
In the House. on the goth, a resolution calling
uDon the Governor for information III fegaru "
the result OF purchases made IN Etrope ny 'ii'
late Governor, the amount OF Soous purchases
and from what fund the money was taNeh' an.
| Inv what authority and also whether any pur
chase was made for the Military Institute nov
much money was borrowed, VINO endorseu tn'
} ponds in England and whether any pledg
was oiven to bind the State to pay the money
if So. bv whom and by what authority, and t
rive ali the information in relation to the Who'll
: Transaction within his possession, and whethe
Ipriyate individuals corporations were partle
interested in the purchase or Shlpmeat-ho
: much specie and other funds of the State Wer
8 fused, together with all liabilities of the Stat
Incurred in the transaction. Adopted.
resolution demonstrating against tho annoy
l lance to which furloughed soldiers and others al