The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-01-23
GENERAL ASSEMBLY, OF VIRGINIA.
MONDAY, January %, 1866.
SEN ATE.

MoNDAl JoHuaiS iooV'
SENATE.
Lieutenant Governor CowPER in the chair.
Prayer by Dr. Hopson
BY Mr.. GILMER:
"Resolsed That the Committee on Banks be
instructed to inquire into the cXpediency OF
reporting 4 bill to compel the savings banks
in this Commonwealth 10 settle with their
dcpositorS the amounts due them at the COM
mencement of the late war Agreed 10.
EXPLANATION.
Mr.. BOILING said: II desire to correct an
error in some of the public journals in regard
TO the action of the Senate on the public print
ing that an amendment had passed the sen
ate providing that no publisher of news
paper shall receive the contract for public
printing No such amendment has passed the
Senate. Such exclusion from fair compe-
tition does not meet my appreciation, nor, III
my opinion, would receive the approval OF the
Senate
CODE OF VIRGINIA.
A bill to adopt as the Code Of Virginia the
edition of the statute laws published by the
Secretary of the Commonwealth, and known
as the Code of Virginia of 1860, subject TO all
amendment and notifications made prior to
the 18th day of April, 1861, and subsequent 10
restoration of Virginia, was passed.
NEGRO EVIDENCE.
The bill to amend the min tn section Of chap
ter one hundred and three of the Code of Viz
ginia for 1860, defining mulatto, providing for
the punishment of offences by colored persons,
and for the admission of their evidence in
legal investigations, and TO repeal all laws in
relation TO slaves and slavery, came up.
Mr.. KEEN moved so to amend the bill that
the evidence of negroes should only be taken
in cases in which they are interested as parties.
He said that there had always been deep
line of demarkation between the white and
negro races, and that neither he nor his con-
stituency were prepared TO obliteratc that lin q
now. 1t must be done by another generation.
That this bill was but the stepping stone 10
other changes, to which he could never con-
sent. We willneXt hear of negro jurors, negro
suffrage, negro intermarriage with white
people, and all the other ideas Of radical inno-
walton. He would never give his vote in favor
of these changes in obedience to pressure from
any quarter.
Mr.. Boiling replied.
Mr.. MCRAE said that the word Z in terested
has a technical legal meaning, which the judge
would be obliged 10 construe technically.
Mr.. GILMER said that the committee had
considered these questions without being intn-
enced by any motives except 4 desire 10 legis-
late for the benefit of all classes of the people
of Virginia. They have risen above all con-
siderations except their duty To themselves,
their country, and their God. They had
thrown aside all their own high impulses, lofty
inspirations and holy interests and considered
that they were legislating for their children,
and not for themselves.
After a somewhat lengthy discussion the
amendment was agreed TO.
Mr.. COLEMAN moved to strike out the pro
vision which states that twhen all the parties
are white, the evidence of no colored person
shall be received to prove facts occurring prior
to the LIST day OF January, 1867"
Mr.. KEEN said that Mr.. GILNER had stated
that he had yielded to no outside pressure, but
here was recognition OF the principle OF
admitting the evidence of the negro against
the white man, but postponing the date OF 1t
until 1867.
Mr.. GILNKR replied
Mr.. KEEN answered.
Mr.. GtLAER responded.
Mr.. KEEN rejoined.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
House met at l2 o'clock, NJ Prayer by the
Rev. Dr. Duncan, OF the Methodist Church.
The new rules were in or0ation o-day.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Several bills of minor Importance We're
reported and placed on the calendar.
CLAIMS.
Mr. PRyDLEToS asked that a report from the
Committee on Claims, which was laid on the
table several days since, be taken up which
was done.
The report was ,ad verse to the claims of GER
tain persons for compensation for provisions
furnished the State penitentiary and certain
jails In the State during the war, on the
ground that certain sections Of the Constitu-
ton provided against the payment OF oil debts
created In aid of the rebellion.
Mr.. BAYLOR argued that these debts were |
not created in aid of the rebellion, and that |
precedent had been established In favor OF
similar claims
Mr.. LEE did not think that the clause of the
constitution In question was perth ent 10 these
claims. These institutions were created long
before the rebellion was thought OF. These
ciaims We're just, and ought TO be paid.
mr. MAaILL hoped thar the House would
CONCUR so In the report of the committee If
aisss Chains We're paid, precedent would be
se s which would bring before the
paid. ~'N ''''a o'ei couiu no
Ill III. IkspLETos said that the arguments with
regard 70 the justice of these claims were ont.
sue sue oI the grounds upon which the report of
1870. iJn,n NJ was based This was not the
Legislature which created that debt. III was
the representative OF the Legislature Convened
In Wheeling and. subsequently, adjourned 10