Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-01-27
Virginia Iaegislature.
SENATE.

FRIDAY, January 26.
FENCES AND PROTECTION OF CROPS.
House bill in relation to fences and the protection
of crops was returned from the House, which body
disagreed to the third amendment oil tne senate ex-
cepting the counties of Accomac and Northampton
from the operation OF the law. The Senate receded
from the amendment and the bill, as passed by the
House, is now a law. -
y ORANGE AND ALEXANDRIA RAILROAD.
The consideration of the joint resolution in rela-
ton to this company was resumed. IL Will DC re-
membered that the amendment proposed ny the
House declares that there was no election of officers
of The railroad on the 18th and 10th OF November
1865; and recommends that the Board oil fuDnc
Works call meeting Of the stockholders LOT Tue
purpose of eecting President and Directors at an
early day. -------.---
Mr.. KEEN of Pittsylvania, had moved, on yester-
day, to disagree to the amendment OF the House.
and appoint Committee of Conference.
Mr.. Boiling, of Petersburg, moved TO strlke OUT
that portion of the House amendment which declares
that there was no legal election on November loth
and 18TH 1860.
Mr.. KEEN said that the previous speaker had en-
dorsed the action of the Senate, declaring the eec
ton already held to be legal, and that the Senate
had no right to order new election.
Mr.. Boiling said that the Legislature had no
mower TO compel the Board of Public Works to turn
over the road to Mr. Barbour and his associates ana
he thought that the best to adopt was That oil
holding new election for officers, about whom there
could be no doubt or difference of opinion.
Mr. MCRAE supported the views OF the senator
from Petersburg, but thought it better that a new
election should he held. lie also considered that
the Board of Public Works had done wrong IN TAX
ing control of the road and that was an usurpa-
ton on their part when they assumed without a
hearing, that the franchises OF the company hau
been lost or abandoned.
Mr.. GRAY said he had been confirmed, by the
message of Governor Perpoint in his opinion that
no legal election had taken place, and Thought that
the matter would not be expedited by reference 10
another committee.
Mr.. GILMER said that the message of Governor
Perpont itself ustiiies the action OF the Senate ana
proves the House to he in the wrong lie then pro-
ceeded to comment upon the message referred TO-
and said that the Governor admitted that Mr.. Bar
bour was President when he made application 10
Washington to have the road turned over to nm,
and that if he was President he should have assumed
control and should have enforced his DEMANDS
Mr. Barbour did not assume charge OF the road, be-
cause he was not allowed to do so by the military
authorities and the Governor allows that Mr.. Bar
bour could not enforce his rights against the Presl-
dent of the United States. 1t was under these CIR
cumstances that Mr.. Barbour came to The Legsla-
ture for redress. 1t was now proposed to refer tie
matter back to the stockholders, and, if the State
proxies which still remained i'll the names OF Messrs
Mckenzie, Miller and Early, were changed he was
willing to agree to the motion. lie said that, as
question of law, Mr.. Barbour was still the rlghtin
President of the road for he had never been deposed
by the strong arm Of military power.
Mr.. LEE said that the Governor had, doubtless
unintentiOnally mlsrepresented the facts. lie sald
that Mr. Barbour had applied for possession OF the
road, and was refused. This was not the fact! Mr..
Barbour applied for possession of the entire road,
and no objection was made, but he was informed
that that portion of the road, then used by the mill
tary authorities, was retained temporarily ana Tor
special purpose, and that when that was accom-
plisled the entire road would be turned over. 1t
was sought to he proved that Mr.. Barbour was in
imical to the authorities at Washington but the
truth is that he Mr. BarbOur) has been informed by
them, again and again that they have no objection
to any person who might be selected by the stock
holders He then referred to the question of the cot
ton held by the company, and OF which Mr. Peil-
point stated that Mr.. Barbour had made no return,
and showed that the proceeds of the cotton had been
properly applied TO the renovation and repair OF Tue
road.
Mr.. KEEN then proceeded to quote the official pro-
ceednas of the Board of Public Works, which states
that the company had for three years neglected To
keep their road in proper order, and that II mad IN
consequence been taken possession OF by the Board
that they intended TO put in good ORDER ana tat
they appointed certain persons to take charge OF IT,
subject to the rules and regulations oil the Board,
and laws made and to be made; all this Ill May,
1855. An election was ordered in November There
was one meeting which the joint committee con-
sidered legal, and another OF six persons, who
elected three of their own body Directors and
one President At this very day, Mr.. Jamison
contends that he is still President; he is
still giving free tickets, and yet the Board
of Public Works has taken no action
The Governor calls the legal meeting Barbour
Meeting" but he (Mr. Keen) called 1t meeting Of
stockholders. The men in charge, Jamison Co.,
have on behalf of the State Of Virginia, now enter
ed into contract for the maintenance of the bridge
across the Potomac, and have given bond to the
United States for sou, OOO besides rumorcd heavy
outside Indebtedness. No one could tell what the
company was doing or what was its condition, and
he concluded by strongly urging the appointment OF
Il Committee OF Conference.
Mr.. ROBINSON did not believe that Mr.. Barbour
had been legally elected, and regretted that he dt-
iered in opinion from the majority of the Senate,
concurrng cheerfuly as he did in the amendment OF
the House.
A long discussion then ensued, in which Messrs.
Gilmer, Gray aud Keen took part
Upon division, the amendment offered by Mt.
Boiling was lOst-ayes Z, noes 10.
Mr.. KEEN's motion to disagree to the amendment
of the House. and to ask for committee oil confer
ence was then unanimously adopted.
The Senate then adjourned.