Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-01-25
Virginia Legislature.
SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, January 81, 1866.

WEDNESDAY, January 81, 1866.
EXTRA SESSION.
The ioint resolution as passed by the House pro-
din for an extra session not TO exceed thirty days
beyond the legal time, was passed.
RESOLUTIONS AGREED TO.
BY Mr.. PECK. that the Committee on Roads and
Internal Navigation enquire into what legislation or
action Is necessary to complete the Virginia Central
Railroad to COvngton, aud 10 complete the COying
ton and Ohio Railroad.
By Mr.. ROBINSON that the Committee on Roads
and Internal Navigation enquire into the present
status of the DISMAL Swamp Canal Company, in
which the state owns a large interest.
NEGRO TESTIMONY.
The consideration OF the amendment, offered by
Mr. Coleman of Louisa, 10 strike out the amend
neut already adopted anu restore the bill TO It's
original form ~ reported by the committee, was
then resumed After a long debate, the amendment
offered by Mr. Keen was withdrawn py unanimous
consent.
Mr. Cabell. of Nelson, moved to strike out the con-
GLIDING portion OF the proviso, 81 that when ali the
ulrtc~ to the white men the evidence al no
CulOrcd person shall be received
Mr. ROLLING. of Petersburg moved 20 amend the
amendment 80 that the evidence of negroes should
not be received TO prove facts occurring prior to
January l. 1868 instead OF January |. 1861.
MIR CROCKETT, Of Wythe, said that it was our
duty to strengthen the hands of the President, who
had to contend with a party opposed 10 Inn III his
own household. and believed tnat in elcyatng the
negro we should elevate ourselves.
Mr. KEEN OF Pittsylvania, said that it was not
his intention to act contrary to the policy OF Pres
dent johnson, nor such the intention or policy
of his constituents. The Radical party opposed
To the President and il ought to be satisfaction 10
him to know that Virginia was with lin and sup
ported his action. He was not aware that there
any wrong in such debate as that before the Seu-
utr and II surely was competent in the General As
scinby to decide who should testify in her courts
H, was in favor of according the negro justice, but
he never would consent to allow miserable negro,
by his evidence, to outweigh or balance the test-
mOny OF the white.
Mr. BOYD of Botctuurt, then stated that his
opnions were fully expressed in the fourth section
of the bill lie said that II there was no danger III
allowing Il negro, rs plaintiff, TO give evidence
AGAINST white man, as defendant: II there was no
danger in this, then, that principle once admitted,
there, could be no danger IN admitting negro testi-
mony in cases where only white men are concerned.
The question was then called on the amendment Of
fered by Mr.. Cabell, which was lost, ayes IL, noes
H. The amendment proposed by Mr.. Boiling was
then adopted
MIR. MEADE of Frederick moved to amend that
the act should be in force after the removal of the
Freedmen'S Bureau from the State This motion
was lost-nOes %, ayes 4-Messrs. Lawson, Meade,
Peck and Srother The bill was then ordered to It's
engrosslnent.
CONTRACTS WITH NEGROES.
Senate bill to regulate contracts between white
persons and negroes. was taken up, and with n sub
stitute offered by Mr. Coleman, of Louisa, re-
lerred to Il select committee.
WITNESSES.
An act to repeal an act relating TO witnesses,
passed by the General Assembly on January 29th,
1854, was taken up and ordered to its engross-
meut.
MASTERS AND APPRENTICES.
Senate BILL amending chapter l26 of the Code, in
relation to masters and apprentices, was taken up
ana ordered to lis engrossment.
The Senate then adjourned.