Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-02-26
VIRGINIA Legialature.
SENATE.
FyRRrIRY d 1866.

49,
SENATE.
FEBRUARY "a, 1866.
The Senate convened at II 4. M.-Lieutenant-Go-
vernon CowPER in the Chair. Prayer by the Rev.
DR.. Converse.
RANK OF THE STATE or VIRGINIA.
The Senate receded from its amendment to the
House bill Incorporating this bank.
BILLS PASSED.
House bill 2Si, TO repeal the act amending the
charter of the city of Richmond, passed February
s, 1866.
1861. amending the charter of the city of Richmond.
House bill 2S4. authorizing the trustees of the
Yeates Free Schools to sell lands, &c.
House bill ola, incorporating the Richmond Sa-
wings Bank and Insurance company.
House bill 254, providing Tor the Liabilities OF the
Lunatic Asylum, at Williamsburg, incurred prior to
July l, 1895.
Joint resolution in regard to the salaries of the
officers of the Commonwealth.
Oils REPORTED.
Ouite a number of private and unimportant bills
were reported from the committees and placed on
the calendar.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
By Mr.. ROBINsoS-Providing for the Incorporation
of building fund associations.
BY Mr.. LEMoSY-lncOrpOrating the Portsmouth
City Railroad Company.
By Mr.. GRAY-Authorizing county towns to sub.
scribe to the capital stock of the Valley railroad
aud TO borrow money for the purpose of paying such
subscriptions.
VIRGINIA, ATLANTIC AND OHIO RAILROAD.
The bill in regard to this company was made the
order of the day for Tuesday at / p. NJ.
RAILROAD COMPETITION.
The bill to protect the Commonwealth and other
stockholders in railroads between Weldon and Bal
timore from injurious and reckless competition, was
made the regular order on each day until finally
acted upon.
CONTINUOUS TRANSPORTATION ELL.
The Senate bill IL to provide for the facilitation of
the continuous transportation OF baggage, passeh,
gers and tonnage, as between the virginia ana
Tennessee. Norfolk and Petersburg, South'Side and
Richmond and Danville railroads was taken up, and
a long discussion was participated in by Nessrs.
Crockett. Boiling, Gilmer, Keen and McRae, when
Senator Keen, in order to test the vote oil the Senate
on the bill, moved to postpone indefinitely the whole
subject. The ayes and noes being demanded, re.
suited thus:
~AYEs.-Messrs. Cabell, Carter, Coleman, Davis,
Gilmer, Keen, Lawson, Lee, McRae, Saunders,
Strother and Trout-l2.
~NoEs.-Messrs. Alexander, Boiling, Boyd, Crock
EFT. Gait, Gray, Hannah, Kello, MERCER, Mitchell,
Peck, Power, Richmond, Robinson and washington
-l5.
Mr.. KEEN then gave notice that he would offer an
ullGNlult uuilb VI 1870
began by moving to strike out the words referring
to the Richmond and Danville railroad wherever
they occurred. This amendment was adopted by a
vote of 81 ayes-no negative votes.
Mr., Boiling then moved 10 amend by striking out
all after the twelfth line in the fourth section and
insert: Provided, that nothing herein shall be con.
strued as in any manner reducing the rates OF
charges on the respective railroads herein named rs
now allowed by their respective charters.
This, giving rise to more debate, was finally
adopted.
Mr.. STROTHER then moved to amend by striking
ont all reference to the Virginia and Tennessee rail
road. This started the Southwestern men, who de-
bated among themselves, and berated the senator
for offering the amendment when none of the repre-
sentatiyes from that portion of the State had thought
Of it. Pending this,
Mr.. KEEN moved to adjourn. The ayes and noes
were demanded by Senator Robinson, and, the roll
being called, the Senate refused to a~djourn-ayes IL,
noes II.
After a little more discussion, the vote on the
amendment resulted thus:
~AYEs.-Messrs. Carter, Coleman, Davis, Gilmer,
Keen, Lee. McRae, Saunders and Strother-9.
~NoFs.-Messrs. Alexander, Below, Boiling, Boyd,
Cabell, Crockett, Gait, Gray, Hannah, Kello,
Lemosy, Mitchell, Peck, Power, Richmond, Robin
son and Washington-l7.
Mr.. KEEN offered to amend by inserting after the
first section:
Provided that neither of the said railroads shall be
hereby required to make or continue any arrange
meut of schedules inconsistent IN tue Judgment OF
its own proper officers with necessary schedules at
its terminal points.
This amendment, being put to the Senate, resulted
~NYEs.-Messrs. Boyd, Cabell, Carter, Coleman,
Davis, Gait, Gilmer, Keen, McRae, Saunders and
Strother-l1.
NoEs,-Mes,Is. Alexander, Below, Boiling,
Crockett, Gray, Kello, Lemosy, Mitchell, Peck,
Power. Richmond aud Robinson-l2.
Mr.. KEEN moved, then, to strike out the second
section of the bill.
And here the proceedings of the Senate became
exceedingly complicated. Ii was now nearly dark,
and the gas being lit, every preparation was made
for a lengthy session. The friends of the bill were
evidently in the majority and determined upon act
ing on il. but the minority used every scheme in
parliamentary tactics to delay or defeat it.
Mr.. GnMER moved 10 indefinitely postpone. This
motion was lost-ayes II, noes l3.
Mr., STRoTHER then moved to adjourn. The
Senate refused-ayes 7, noes 10.
Mr.. KEEN, after the previous question had been
ordered. again renewed the motion to adjourn, and
the Senate again refused-ayes, 2; noes, IA.
In all these motions the ayes and noes were called,
and at this stage, no quorum being present, Senators
asked for a call of the Senate. Pending which, Sc
veral Senators returned, and q personal discussion
arose between Messrs. Boiling and Keen, the leaders
of the majority and the minority.
Mr.. KEEN again moved to adjourn, and the ayes
and noes being called, r~esulted-ayes, Z noes, IL.
Mr.. STRoTHER moved that the Chair be vacated
at the pleasure of the President, which motion was
lost-ayes Z; noes, l3.
MI. STHoTuER then asked to be excused to "eet
something to eat :" the Senate refused to excuse
him,
MI. KEEN then obtaining the floor, began to speak
at length upon the bill, when, Senators observing
that no one was left in the Chamber, excepting the
immediate friends of the bill, at nearly 6 O'Clock,
the Senate adjourned, on the motion of Mr.. LEMoSY,
twelve members being present.