The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-12-13
8itl1mond 1ispatrht
Observation-Disclosures IS, 1866.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
WEDNESDAY, December II, 1866.
SENATE.

SENATE.
The Senate was called to order at IL
O'Clock by the Lieutenant Governor.
Prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Peterson.
| COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE HOUSE.
Amessage was received from the House
Of Delegates announcing the passage in
that body of Senate bill entitled "an
act to amend the 9Th section of chapter l57
of the Code of Virginia, edition of 1860, so
as to increase the number Of grand jury
terms of the Hastings Court of the city of
Petersburg.
Also, that tho House had passed bill
amending sections and IA of chapter l5S
of the Code of 1860 concerning the terms
of courts.
The bills were taken up, read twice, and
referred to the Committee on Courts of
Justice.
THE RECESS OF THE LEGISLATURE.
Mr.. Powell, of Accomac, moved that the
Senate take up the joint resolution from
the House for an adjournment from the goth
of December to the Sd of January. Agreed
to and the resolution was taken up.
Mr.. Keen moved its indefinite postpone
ment. He thought it exceedingly improper
| W pass q lSoclullol vi oOLt az bIS pIS-
sent time. He had never heard Of such a
resolution being passed at so early period
in the session. He called the yeas and
nays upon his motion.
Mr.. Meade hoped immediate action would
be had upon the resolution, as members
were compelled to 60 home during the
holidays for the purpose Of hiring their
hands for the ensuing year.
The motion was further debated by
Messrs. Powell, Keen, and Peck.
Mr.. Strother moved to lay the resolution
upon the table, and make it the order of
the day for Monday at II o'clock.
Mr.. Keen stated that he had moved the
indefinite postponement Of the resolution,
and had called the yeas and nays upon his
motion. He submitted that this motion
had precedence. He therefore called
the yeas and nays upon Mr.. Strother's mo-
tion.
The Chair sustained Mr.. Keen's sugges-
ton, and the yeas and nays were ordered.
The motion of Mr.. Strother was agreed to
by the following vote:
YEAs-Messrs Alexander, Belew, Boiling,
Cabell, Coleman, Crockett Gait, Gray, Law
son, Lee, Mercier, Miller, Mitchell, Peck, Rob
inson, Strother, Tahaferro-7.
NAYs.-MessTs Carter Davis, Dulaney, Han
nah, Keen, Lemosy, McRae, Meade, Powell,
Power, Richmond, Saunders, Trout, Washing
ton-l.
THE STAY LAW.
The bill introduced on Thursday by Mr..
Keen, staying the collection of debts for a
limited period, and repeating an act passed
March 2, 1866, entitled "an act to stay the
collection of debts for a limited PERIOD"
was taken up for consideration. The fol-
lowing is copy of the bill:
|. Be it enacted by the General assem-
Jly of Virginia, That no execution, Uendi-
toni erponaS, attachment, or other pro-
cess to compel the payment Of money, or
the sale of property for that purpose, shall
be issued, or if heretofore issued shall be
proceeded with, and that no Judgment,
decree, or order for the payment of
money rendered since the I'd day of April,
1865, or which may be made during the
period this act is in force, shall operate as
lien upon any estate, either real or per-
sonal, held or owned, or any interest in
| such estate by the person or persons
against whom such judgment, decree, or
order shall have been or may hereafter be
rendered or made; nor shall there be any
sale under a deed of trust, mortgage,
pledge, or other security, nor under any
| Judgment, decree, or order for the pay
ment of any money while this act remains
in force, unless by the consent of parties.
2. Nothing herein contained shall be so
construed as to interfere with or abridge
the law now in force in relation to attach
ments and actions of detinue and trover
nor in relation to injuries or torts; nor in
relation to actions of ejectment and unlawful
entry and detainer; nor inrelation to thepro
secution of criminal offences and the collec-
ton of fines, taxes, licenses, county levies,
and all debts due the Commonwealth; but
the same may be proceeded with as now
provided by law nor shall this act apply
to liabilities Of sheriffS, constables, or
other public officers, either to the State,
counties, corporations, or individuals; nor
to attorneys at law for moneys collected
but payment of and sales for the same
may be enforced and proceeded in as ii
this act had not been passed nor shall the
time during which this act was in force be
computed in any case in which the statute
of Limitations shall come in question. And
provided further, that nothing in this act
contained shall be construed to apply to
any debt contracted or liability incurred
since the I'd day of April, 1865.
8. The act passed March 2, 1866, enti-
tied "an act to stay the collection of debts
for a limited PERIOD" is hereby repealed
4. This act shall be in force from itspas
sage, and shall so continue to the first day
of January, 1872.
The question being on ordering it to its
third reading and engrossment, Mr.. Meade
opposed the bill as an act of reputation
and moved to lay it upon the table. 1t was
he said, law which would be &c post fdctc
in its operation.
Mr.. Strother opposed the motion to lay
upon the table.
Mr.. McRae addressed the Senate in op'
position to the bill, which he regarded a:
an act of reputation. He did not, he said
come here to legislate for the passions, but
for the interests of his constituents. lie
believed that the bill was leyelled at the
very foundation of society, and would
tend to plunge the people into state O
barbarism. ,
Pending Mr.. McRae's remarks, Mr.
Keen moved that the Senate adjourn, Yitt
a view to giving the Senator from Ches
terGeld an opportunity to express M
views at length.
The Senate refused to adjourn.
Mr.. Strother then moved that the Dill p'
laid on the table and made the special or
der for Thursday at half-past IL o'clock.
The motion was agreed TO.
RAILWAY fxTENsIoN.
Mr.. Hannah, by leave, introduced bill
oil l,nm