Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-12-26
The Legislature.

| in reference to the exclusion from Congress Of
the Representatives elect from this State declar'
ing it in violation of the Constitutional rights Of
Virginia. Seeing that there would be opposi-
ton, he withdrew them.s
In the House, Mr.. Woodson, of Rockingham,
offered the following resolutions:
Resolued 6y the General Assembly Of Virginia.
That it is the wish of the people of Virginia that
| the partition of the territory of the State into
two States should no longer continue, but. that
the ancient Commonwealth of Virginia should be
restored with all her people, and up to her for
mer boundaries
Resolved further, That joint committee of sew
| en- on the part of the House and four on the part
of the Senate be appointed, whose duty it shall
| be to report to this General Assembly at the ear
Hest practicable period if they deem it expedient
q proposition to be submitted to the State and
people of West Virginia for the accomplishment
of the purpose indicated in the first resolution.
In the Senate, on Monday, the 18th, the report
of the Committee against increasing the fees of
Clerks of Courts, Sherifs and Jailors was
adopted.
| In the House, Mr.. Woodson, as chairman of
the select Committee to whom tn question was
REFER ed, reported preamble and resolutions
commencing an appeal to the President and Con-
gress of the United States to postpone the col
lection of Virginias portion of the direct tax of
$40 600, 900 levied upon the lands and purses of
the people of the United States by an act passed
August 9th, 1861, and to permit the State of Vir-
gina to assume the payment Of it.
The whole subject of the union of Virginia and
West Virginia was referred to q select Commit
tee.
In the Senate, on Tuesday, the 10th, on motion
Mr. Lee, of Orange, the following bill was called
up: sss
/. Be 1t enacted by the General Assembly of Vir-
ginia, That all acts and parts of acts heretofore
passed, and now in force by reason of any pre-
vious legislation Of Virginia. in relation to slave
ry, slaves and free negroes, be, and the same are
hereby, repealed.
2. That hereafter all persons named and en-
braced in the preceding section may and shall
be allowed to testify in all suits and controversies
in law and equity in which persons of the same
status are directly or indirectly interes ted and
in all criminal cases.
3. This act shall be in force from its passage
Mr.. Lee then offered resolution to the oom-
mittee, to consider each law affected by the BILL
In the House, on motion by Mr.. Garnett, the
rules were suspended, and the bill staying the
collection of debts for limited period, reported
| from the Commi ttee Courts of Justice, was
put upon its passage.
Mr.. Joyues expl aimed that in reporting the
bill, the Committee were aware that it contained
many imperfections, but the fe ar being that the
genera stay la W, if it got through this House,
would not pass the Senate before the ecess,
this was offered to stay suits and otherwise pro-
tect debtors until such time the principal
bill should be passed.
After various amendments the bill was read
and ordered to be engrossed in the 70 blowing
form:
Be it enacted By the General Assembly of Pr
gdaa, That execution, venditioni erponds, at
tachment or other process to compel the pay
ment of money, or the sale of property for that
purpose, shall be issued or if heretofore issued,
shall be proceeded witt and that no judgment,
decree or order for the payment of money, rem
dered or made during the period that this act
is IN force, shall operate as lien upon any es-
tate held or owned, or any interest sucn es-
! tate by the person or persons against whom
| such Ju dgmeIt, decree or ord er may be rendered
or made Nor shall there be any sale under
deed of trust, mortgage, pledge, or other secu-
rity; nor under any judgment, decree or order
for the payment Of any money, while this act
remains in force, unless by consent of parties ;
provided, that no part of this act shall apply to
the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, nor the
counties Of Accomac, Northampton, Norfolk,
and Princess Anne but the act entitled can
act staying the collection of debts,'' passed
January the 22d, 1864, shall remain IN force so
far as the said cities aud counties are concerned,
with the exception that sales of pro perty may
take place, under the judgment and decree Of
court, in eases where thu collection Of debts is
not the object OF such sales.
z. If any Execution shall have been levied be-
/ a tv leV
on shall be restored to the defendant, but shall
remain subject to the lien of he ex ecution afore
said.
g. This act shall be in force from its passage,
and shall SO continue during the present session
of this General Assembly, unless sooner altered,
amended or repealed.
In the Senate, Wednesday, the goth, Mr..
Trout, Of Augusta, offered the following joint
! reso luton:
That the Governor Of Virginia be respectfully
requested to represent to the Postm aster Gene
| raj OF the United States the present condition of
| the mail facilities in this State; that MANY
of the members of the General Assembly, in
| session, are without the seans of communicating
with their families and constituents, and tn at the
public and private interests demand the speedy
restoration Of the 10 als, and urge him to give
consideration and relief to us in the matter.
Which was adopted.
In the House, the following bills and resolu-
tions were passed:
Senate joint resolution that the Governor rep
resent to the Postmaster General the ondition
of mails in Virginia, and ask relief.
Senate joint resolution relat i've to Jefferson
Davis and other political prisoners, and the
restoration of the ha5eas corpus, and, on motion
! by Mr.. Joynes, tn e Governor was requested to
transmit copy of the same to the President of
the United States.
Also, Senate bill to amend the second sec
ton Of the act passed Decemb er the l 9th, 1865
ssstaying the collection of debts for given pc
riod.'' This bill ameLds and re enacts the said
ond section, so that it will read as 70 lows:
Sec. 2. If any execution shall have been lev led
before the asSage of this act, the property
/ levied on shall be restored to the defendants but
shall remain subjec to the execution aforesaid !;
but nothing IN tn is act contained, shall be con-
strued to apply to any case Of debt or contract