Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-06-24

II would benefit twenty men where It would in
jure one. The desolated fields OF the people
of this State, AMI the general prostraton OF
trade must convince every rejecting man
that they are not in condition to pap
their debts. The creditors are used to skinning
by this time, and can afford 70 walt little
longer for the period Of settlement. A good many
of them, and especially the Northern creditors,
have thrived and fattened upon THIS war, while
the majority of our people have barely more than
enough left TO keep body and soul together.---
That's the relative position Of debtors ana credl'
tors in Virginia.
Mr. HABMAN said his colleague seemed to
have changed his ground. Yesterday he desired
to postpone legsla ion affecting counties not Or
gained. Now he proposes to egislate for them.
here Is stay law which does not expire until
the LIST of July, 1866. Prior to that time there
will be another Legislature assembled here re-.
presenting all parts of the state. He thought il
would he discreet and proper TO postpone legisla'
ton on this subject. II was impossible Tor TINS
DO y 10 tell whether the unorganized Counties
wanted such bill as this or not.
Mr.. JOHNSTON admitted he had expressed the
opinion that whilst We remained in our little bob
tail condition, We shouldn't undertake 70 legis
late too much for the whole State. For this rea-
son he had opposed action the bill increasing
the rate OF interest and Others. But he was not
content TO be so punc,iious in regard TO matter
affecting vitality the interest Of the people who
are left TO the mercy OF creditors. If this bill Is
not passed, judgment will be entered against the
debtors all over the State, and many Of them will
be absolutely ruined.
Mr.. HARM IN reminded Mr.. j. that we already
had stay law, predcated on the same principle
as that embraced in the pending bill.
Mr.. J0HNSrUN.-But this bill extends the
time for paying interes: 10 Sky days. II my
colleague chose he eau move TO except Alex.
andria fom the o .e.ation of the act aid place
that county on footing with AccOnac. that
great and powerful State. including Puhgoteague.
(Laughter.l
Mr.. HILL was under the imp ession that the
pending bill was one of series OF acts looking
to the ultimate extinguishment of all debts
Tlere Is 10 necessity Tor It's lassage. Twelve
months have yet ~ e,apse before the present stay
law expires. Yesterday the gentleman from
Alexandra (Mr. Johnston) was anxious 10 post.
pone action on al important bill until Tennessee
and Missouri could be heard from. Now he is
for prompt action. He hoped It would be the
pleasure Of the House 10 reject the bill.
Mr.. JOHNSTON said lie was in iavor Of post.
pom ng action on the immigration and Land
Bill" until it could be ascertsined wis policy or
mode Of proceeding was the most Judicious.-
Are these people 10 come here, take advantage II
our impoverished condition and speculate in cur
lantsl Tie subject We are now considering Is
the protection OF our citizens from rapaci.us
creditors-uuite different matter. Gentlemen
ought 10 be y little more careful III tracing re-
semOlauces. Before putting our immigration
system into private hands, for speculative p1r-
poses we ought 10 get little more information.
Our people can afford 10 wait for it; but they
need protection from creditors now.
Mr. BIRCH submitted some remarks Ia favor OF
the bill. Personally, he was opposed to the meas
ure but he would leg slate for the interests OF his
constituents, and not 10 promote his own private
interests.
On motion of Mr.. HILL, "the city of Norfolk
was inserted in the "excemptionary clause"
On motion of Mr. HARTMAN, Alexandria was
inserted.
The question on ordering the bill T. third
reading was then put and declared 10 be decided
in the negative.
Mr. JOHNSTON said 1t was ungenerous and
unjustifable TO attempt 10 defeat the bill in this
manner.
MIR. HENSHAW said that his constituents were
not generally interested in the bill. They Were in
the habit of paying all their debls. and did moi
need a stay law. lie would, however, sustain the
bill, and hoped that the vote woud be taken on il
in an honorable straightforward manner.
The last vote was reconsidered, and then the
bill was read third time.
Mr.. NASH expressed some surprise at the OPP
position TO this bill by the gentlemen from Alex
andrIa and Norfolk, both OF whom were mer-
chants. Il seemed as if they were willing u open
the food. gates of litigation, and pounce down
upon their debtors. lie was sent here by the
Union men of Norfolk county to rep esent their
interests, and would therefore sustain the bill
Mr.. HILL replied that these remarks came
rather ungracefully f'om Mr.. NASH. SO lar a. he
(Mr. H. was concerned, he dis;laimed any such
purpose as the gentleman had imputed to him.
AS merchant he had never bounced down upon
ANYBODY. He thought IL rather uncourteous fol
the member TO make any such aLusion to his
course.
The bill was then read third time and passed
by the following vote
'YEAs.-Messrs. Downey Speaker, Birch,
Brownley, Gibbons, Henshaw, Johnston, Kellan,
Nash and Woods.
NAYs-Messrs Hartman and Hill-2
The bill as finally passed is as follows
An Act TO amend and re enact the third section
Of the Act passed January 90, 1854 entitled
An Act staying the collection of certain
debts"
Be il enacted by the General Assembly Of vir.
einia, That the third section Of the act passed
January 90, 1864 entitled an act staying the
collection of certain deb:s" be and the same is,
hereby amended and hereby reenacted 30 as TO
read as follows:
Section 3. That upon all debts and liabilities
accuing before the twenty sixth day of July,
1861 the debtor, or party liable, shall, upon de.
mand Of the creditor pay the interest and prin'
cipal as follows The interest within nine.y days
after demand thereof; one fourth Of the princi-
pal within twelve months after demand thereof,
with interest; one other fourth within two years
after demand made, with interest; one other
fourth within three years after demand made,
with interest; and the balance within four years
after demand made with interest and for failure
on the part of the debtor to comply with any of
the provisions of this section, he may be pro.
ceeded against as if this act or any other act for
staying the collection of debts had never been
passed.
Provided, That the counties OF Accomac, Alex.
andria and city of Norfolk shall be and are
hereby, excepted from the operation Of this sec.
ton, as amended.
Section 8. This act shall be in force from its
passage.
FINAL ADJOURNMENT.
Mr. Hull submitted a resolution for adjourn
ment sine die to-day, the Senate cOncurring.-
Adopted.
- - Il