The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-15
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
WEDNESDAY,, February IA, 1866.
SENATE.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
"WEDNESDAY, February IA, 1866
SENATE.
Lieutenant Governor CowPER in the chair.
Prayer by DIR. Duncan.
Personal.
Senator BELLEw, of Senandoah, whose sud
den illness in the Senate Chamber, tuesday,
caused the early adjournment, is still danger.
ously sick.
TOLL BRIDGE AT MOUNT CRAWFORD.
House bill authorizing the construction OF
bridge across the North river, in Rockingham
county, was passed
VIRGINIA STEAM SUGAR REFINING COMPANY
House bill Incorporating this company was
passed 1t is to be located in Richmond
VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA AccIDEST'INsU-
RANCE COMPANY.
Senate bill incorporating this company came
back from the House with an amendment
limiting the quantity of land to be held by the
company to ten thousand acres. The amend
ment was agreed TO by the Senate, and the bill
passed.
House bill repeating "certain parts of the
act of May l4th, 1862, and to prescribe the
oaths TO be taken in certain cases, !" was passed
II proyides that "before any person shall
hereafter receive any license to practice any
profession, or to conduct any business or cal,
ing for which a license is required, he shall
take, before q commissioner OF the revenue, or
before any other person authorized 10 aamm-
lister oaths, the oath TO support the Constitu.
ton of the United States and the oatn OF
fidelity to the Commonwealth"
CIRCUIT COURT.
BY Mr.. DAVIS:
"Resolped, That the Committee for Courts OF
Justice inquire into the expediency OF report
ing q bill changing the time for holding the
Circuit Courts in the sixteenth Juuicial Slr-
cult" Agreed to.
RAILROADS.
BY Mr.. McRAE:
"Whereas the Commonwealth of Virginia,
being largely interested in the railroad ana
other improvements of the State as stock
holders and otherwise, should ADOPT some
general policy in relation TO such improve
ments which, being just and'lberal TO every
locality of the State, should at the same time
be wise, and comprehend due regard TO the
interests of the whole State; ana whereas
different local improvements authorized by
legislation, at different times and in detail,
without regard to any pre-establlsnea state
policy, are calculated to imperil the welfare OF
the whole State without advancing the int
rests of the localities designed to be benefited
in any measure at all commensurate with the
injury inflicted on the whole State therefore
g Resolved, That joint committee OF the
Senate and House OF Delegates snail oe
appointed, whose duty 1t shall be to consider
and report what the true policy OF the State
should be In reference to existing and future
internal improvements. Said committee snail
also consider the influence of pending applica.
tons for railroad charters on such policy, as
said committee may deem wise, ana recon-
mend for adoption"
The resolutions lay over.
THE VALLEY RAILROAD.
The bill incorporating the railroad from
Salem to Harrisonburg came up as unfinished
Mr.. MERcIER, by way of speaking to the
point, pronounced a eulogy on Tom Paine,
and made quotation from him ABOUT "the
times that tried mems souls"
Mr.. GRAY made a fine speech In favor OF the
bill. He paid an eloquent tribute TO the people
of the Valley, and spoke of their honesty,
their industry, and their energy he hopea
that the day of class legislation was over; that
the Valley had paid great share in the four
teen million dollars of stock owned by the
State in other roads, and now is entitled 10
have a road for its own beneht. he also
argued that the proposed railroad could not
possibly iniure the eastern part OF the State.
Mr. Robinson replied that he was opposed
to all legislation for the benefit of section
and the injury Of the whole State. Pass this BILL
and the work Of seventeen years will be swept
away. He appealed to facts and figures in
support of his views. He held that the wis
dom of the Northern States was shown in that
convergence Of railroads as tended TO build up
their great cities. New York city pays
eighteen millions Of dollars annually into the
State Treasury. We should do likewise, and
build mp the wealth and power of our own
cities, and not let the resources of the State be
scattered in every direction, 10 build up cities
outside of 1t. He showed that the money to
build this railroad would be furnished by the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and that they
will control IL to the building up OF Baltimore
at the expense Of Virginia. He showed that
Baltimore had resisted successfully the con-
struction Of an airline railroad from Wash
ington to New York.
Mr.. MERCER interrupted Mr.. ROBINSON,
sayingl that, IL the Baltimore and Ohio road
had sent money to bride the Legislature of
Virginia, he (Mr. MERcIER) had not received
q dollar.
Mr.. ROBINSON replied that he made no per-
sonal application; but that the Baltimore
road was using the mighty influence of its
Mr.. CROCKETT replied, urging the passage of
the bill. He discussed II In connection with
the LynchbuYg and Danville road. He said
that Lynchburg- was most earnest and
energetic In the promotion of internal i'm
provements, and she should not now be denied
road Of sixty miles, to connect her with %
MIR. LEE moved an adjournment, which was
agreed TO.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Speaker BALDWIN In the chair. Prayer by
the Rev DIR. Edwards.
4 wAR CLAIMS.
The report Of the committee in regard to
elaine contracted during the war was taken
Mr.. GRArrAI, while Mr.. UABgLL sustained the
minority report In q speech Of some length.
Mr.. HxExpou thought that the claims In
question were honest and Just, and that the
LeEisiasnre couid not refuse TO pay them
mr.. WtLsoH argued In favor OF the majority
report, and contended that these debts were
not created oy the usnrped government, but
Were properly created ate, the legitimate
4oyesnx1ent had been restored.
1 1T, ~ nscks.soS opposed the CONSTITUTIONAL
~ g the slatmss and Mr.. PowsLL argued
Inst me debts now under discussion had no
relation 2 government ds Jurs or de Iaeso,
but weFs debts jnstiy due by the community
yatien,