Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1865-12-05

II to have come together determined TO push on
extreme measures.
VIRGINIA
RICHMOND December 4-The Legislature
of Virginia assembled to-day. In the absence
of the Lieutenant Governor, Mr.. Robinson, Of
Norfolk, presided over the Senate.
Shelton Davis who has been secretary tor the
last eight years, was reelected. Writ Harrl
son was elected Sergeant alarms
The House organized by the election of John
e. Baldwin, Speaker, and John Bell Bigger,
Clerk. Baldwin was a strong Unlonlst before
the war. He represented the Augusta District
in the Confederate Congress. Mr.. Bigger was
an assistant clerk for several years. f. W.
Burke was reelected sergeant-at arms.
After the organization Of the Legislature, the
Governor s:message was received and read
The Governor first calls attention to the publes
. debt, showing an aggregate OF S4l; 100000
: against So, 900, 900 available assets.
The State has several millions in unproduc
: tive internal improvements The interest due
- on the first Of January exceeds SIX millions
s. The question Of taxation is considered at some
length The Governor says levy of sixty per
= cent. on real estate will be required, and re-
= commends tax on the license for taking oys-
ters IN the waters ct Virginia.
He suggests the sale Of the State invest
:. nlents in railroad bonds, which would relieve
the State Of fifteen millions Of debt and pro
mote the efficiency of the railroads. The edu-
cationa interests of Virginia are especially
commended to the attention Of the Legislature,
and the establishment of polytechnic school
urged The Governor recommends the passage
Of alaw holding fduciaries responsible tor the
investments in Confederate States bonds.
He thinks after mature deliberation, that
very little legislation is needed in regard to the
freedmen but they should be allowed to testi-
fy as witnesses, and should be tried and pun
ished the same as white mer.
He advises that the three millions Of dollars
now invested in the Covngton and Ohio rail!
road be given as . bounty to any company tbot
will complete the road.
herepeal Of the usury laWssis recommended.
The Governor devotes the concluding part OF
his message tc reconstruct n, and says 1t IS OF
the utmost importance that the people Of Viz
elnia should give a cheerful support to the
Federal Government IN the payment OF all the
taxes assessed for paying the national debts.
An order from the President having been
received for the release of j. A. Seldom, late
WaGSecretary for the late Confederate States,
andA g. Magrath, Ex-Governor Of S, c.. the
Provost Marshal of Savannah, Capt Renick,
received instructions on Saturday last ION
headquarters to proceed forthwith to Fort Pu-
laski where both prisoners we're detained, and
set them at liberty. Capt. kemick, together
with a few officers, arrived at Fort Pulaski, and
:: at once proceeded to the cells Of the prisoners.
Having announced to them their release Oh
= condition of their taking the amnesty oath,
the news was received by both prisoners with
joy, and the oath freely taken, and they in
mediately left Tor Savannah
1 is understood that Immediately after the
adjournment Of the Senate yesterday, the
Republican Senators met in caucus, and that
"a committee was chosen, Of which Senator Foot
was chairman, to 1e-arrange the committees Of
the Senate. ItWas the expressed opinion Of
; several Senators Shat Mr.. Fessenden will
return to his old position as chairman Ct the
Committee on Finance, and that Mr. Sherman
will again be chairman Of the Committee on
Agriculture.
protest against the legality of the election
OF Mr.. Stockton, one of the Senators from n
Jersey, has been presented to the Senate