Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-12-19
virginia legislature.


A communication was received from the House
of Delegates stating that they had passed q joint
resolution requesting the President of the United
States to grant general amnesty to the citizens
OF Virginia. Referred to Committee on Federal
Relations.
The joint resolution of Mr. Dulany, asking tho
liberation of Jefferson Davis and other political
prisoners, and the restoration Of the writ Of he-
6eas corpus, was called up, and after considerable
discussion, was unanimously adopted.
The President appointed the following Senators
on behalf of the Senate to carry out the joint res
olution in regard to Mr.. Davis and other political
prisoners Messrs. Dulany, Gilmer, Gray, Power
and Mercier.
A number of resolutions of inquiry were pro-
sented, after which the Senate adjourned.
! House.--Prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Price, Of tho
Third Presbyterian Church.
| Senafe joint resolution in reference to the ap-
pointment of joint committee to take into con-
sideration the subject of emigration was consid-
cred and passed.
MIR. Joynes, from the Committee on Courts Of
Justice, to whom were committed the subject of
reafirming the act of the Alexandria Legislature
ratifying the amendment to the Constitution Of
the United States prohibiting slavery, reported
that the committee deemed it unnecessary TO leg
islate further the subject, because they regar-
ded an act of the General Assembly, passed Feb
ruary 9th, 1865, entitled 'an act to ratify tho
joint resolution of Congress. passed January 3st,
1865, proposing an amendment to the Constitu-
ton of the United States" final and conclusive.
A number ofresolutions of inquiry were pro-
sented, and at 2 clock the House adjourned.
MoNDAY-Ssnate-Dec II, 1S65.--Prayer by
the Rev. MIR. Barten.
| message was received from the House an
nouncing the passage Of the bill in regard to the
Southern Express Company, and that they had
passed bill charterng the National Express
Company, and after some discussion was ref rred
to the Committee on Roads and internal naviga-
ton.
Here number Of resolutions of inquiry were
presented.
On motion o committee was appointed to con-
fer with the Governor in regard TO dispensing
with the Offices of End Auditor, and Register Of
the land office.
Mr.. Gray reported bill incorpora ting the Vir-
ginia Insurance Company.
On motion Of Mr.. Robinson, the Senate aj-
journed.
House.--The House met at IL o'clock, NJ
The chair announced several select committees.
Mr.. Waddel on the Committee on Emigration.
The House Bill to amend and re enact 'san act
to incorpo rate the Southern Express Company.
passed March %, 1851, and to incorporate tbs
National Express & Transportation Company"
was considered and passed.
By Mr. Waddell, of Augusta-A resolution that
inquire into the expediency of providing by law
l. For Withdrawing oil States Proxies and Di-
rectors from the control and management of the
public, improvements in which the State is inter-
ested, and leaving the Interests of the State to be
managed in common with those of the private
stockholders.
.. For appointing inspectors and accountants
to make annual e1aminat ions of the management
and condition of such improvements
3. For exchanging the Stock of the State in
any such improvement for State stocks or bonds
at par, whenever and by whomsoever presen, ed
for such exchange. Agreed to.
A number of resolutions of inquiry were pre-
sented, among them one to inquire into the ex-
pedency of reporting bill staying the collection
of all debts for two years, except fines taxes, Ii
cense, SC.
On motion Of Mr.. Baylor, Of Augusta, the
House adjourned, at o'clock.
| TUEsDAY-Sendts-Dec. I2.-The Senate met
at noon, and vas opened with prayer by the Rev.
DR.. Barten.
MIR. Boiling, of Petersburg, reported the reply
Of the Governor to the committee appointed 70
wait upon him in reference to the propriety Of
dispensing with the office of Second Auditor and
Register OF the Land Ofhce, in writing, as follows:
81 am Of the opinion that there is no necessity
for the Office of Second Auditor. The whole bus
iness of The office belongs properly to that of the
Auditor--''in my opinion
ssI think this office Register of the Land Of.
fce) "might be put under the Secretary of the
Commonwe eath, with authority to employ chief
clerk to attend to the business and after the law
in regard to the price Of land warrants, requiring
at least fifty cents per acre, to be paid for all pat
ents hereafter issued.'
Mr.. Trout, of Augusta, offered the following
resolutions, which were adopted, and referred as
indicated:
Resolved, That the Committee on Public Insi-
tutons inquire into the expediency of making
special appropriation to discharge the outstani.
ing liabilities of the Western Lunatic Asylum.
Resolved, That the committee on Public Insti-
tutions inquire into the expediency of authori.
zing the Directors Of the Western Lunatic Asylum.
to dispense with the Office of Treasurer to said
institution. -1
MIR. Gray called Up Joint House Resolution, de-
claring that the Assembly shall adjourn on 2lst
instant to meet on the Sd proxmo. Agreed to
| The Senate ad journed
House.--The House was opened with prayer by
Rev. Dir. Jeter, of the Baptist Church.
The bill incorporating the Virginia State Insp-
rance Company passed
The House agreed to adjourn on the 2lss inst.
and meet again on the 3rd of January.
After the adoption of large numb ber of resolu
tons of inquiry the House adjourned.
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