Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-01-07
HOUSE OF nELEGATRS.

House met at II o'clock N. and was opened with
prayer by Rev. j. b. Taylor, Jr, Army Chaplain
The SPEAKER ordered the roll to be called 10 as .
| certain if quorum be present.
| Mr.. BURWELL wished; TO dispense with a call Of
the roll.
Mr. HENDREN desired a call of the House. 1t
| was illegal to transact business without quorum
Mr. EURWFLL referred to precedent TO show
that business could be transacted without quorum,
and he was DESTROYS On progressing without further
delay with the business OF the House.
Mr. HENDREN withdrew his resolution for roll
call, and
The House proceeded " business without ascer-
tanning whether quorum was or was not present
| Mr., RAYMOND, OF BraXton, offered resolution
fixing the hour of the assembling the House OF and
after Monday next, al ii A. NJ, and limiting the
Introduction Of resolutions OF inquiry to the first hall
hour under the rules. The resolution lies over.
BY MI. COX That Joint committee, to consist
of ive.members of the House. and three of the Sem
ate, be appointed to call ON lAEdward c, Bruce,
OF this city, with view OF asce tajsiug whether the
lie size portrait Of General r. l.. Lee which is now
being completed by him, can be purchased Tor the
State of Virginia at what price, and report the same
10 the General Assembly.
RESOLUTIONS oF INQUIRY.
Among tho resolutions Of inquiry adopted were the
following
BY Mr.. DUAL: Into the propriety of reporting
bill allowing soldiers in the Confederate States who
citizens ofYirgnia the right 10 transport free of
cost, packages or boxes weighing less than hun
dred pounds, on any railroad III the State of Tir-
gnia.
By Mr.. WINSTON That the Committee on Sal
inquire into the eXpcdiency. OF impressing all the
salt in the Commonwealth in the hands of dealers,
or which has been bought up for speculation, and
providing for the payment of just compensation
therefor also for the distribution of the salt so i'm
pressed among the people of the Commonwealth Z
BY Mr., PENDLETON Of providing by law for
the collection of the amount due the State OF Vr-
gnia from the Confederate States, reported BY the
Auditing Board exceeding $1,000, 900, and paying
tue into the Treasury, to be applied to current
expenses, so as to avoid the necessity OF taxation
during the year 1868.
BY Mr.. FLOOD: Into the expediensy of appoint
ing Commissioners 10 make sale OF so much of the
stock owned by the State, in joint stock companies
as may be necessar to meet any deficiency iRthe
Treasury for expenses Incurred or 10 be incurred
during the present fiscal year. such deficiency to he
reported by the Auditor of public Accounts to the
said Commissioners.
Mr.. T0MLIN presented to the House letter
from Harold SnOwden, OF Alexandria, Surgeon in
the Confederate army, and also member of the
House of Delegates, resgning his seat in the Legs-
lature.
A discussion ensued in reference to the position
and rights of members holding office under both
Governments, which lasted more than an hour.
Mr.. TONLfN did not know by what authority the
Secretary OF War undertook to prevent the attend
Of members of the Legislature by refusing fur
loughs to those elected to this body.
NJ. BURWELL did not understand that the Con-
federate authorities had undertaken to prohibit the
attendance of legislators. They only claimed and
exercised the right control the military status OF
members. The two positions were incompatible
Gentlemen could not fill both positions and it was
left TO their election to say which of the two posi-
lions they will choose. The question had been sub
mtted to General Lee, who was opposed to granting
fuiloughs to officers in the army who had become
members of the Legislature. =.
Mr.. RAYMOND Of Marion; said that the Con-
federate authorities had relaxed their original rigid
rule on this subject, and were now granting fur
oughs to such persons as held positions in the army
aud we're also members of the Legislature.
Mr.. BURWELL read letter showing that the
Secretary Of War had granted furloughs for the ses
sion.
Mr.. SHACKELF0RD had. received letter from
Mr.. SSowDES, and did not understand him as main
tanning that he resigned account of any action of
the Confederate Government towards him. 1t would
he perceived that Mr.. ST. in his letter lust read to
the House. states that the Secretary OF War every
properly refused to grant furloughs to officers Of
the army to enable them to become members of the
Legislature.
Mr.. ANDERSON maintained that the Confeder-
ate Governments had right to control its Objects
And in doing so, ii could not properly be alleged
that it was interfering with the rights of members
Of the Legislature.i If the services of Mr.. SNOW
DES,.as surgeon in the army, were needed It was
the duty Of the COnfsdsrats Government to retain,