The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-20

vacated until the hour OF half past T. NJ
After long discussion the resolution was
adopted. The morning session proVlaeu ~. ny
the resolution is understood to be for Dork-the
evening one Is to be devoted to oratory, LOT tne
relief of those Senators who, unfortunately
for the country, are eloquent.
The Senate then adjourned
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Speaker BALDWIN in the chair.
THE TOWN OF STANTON.
The committee who had inquired into the
expediency Of authorizing theCommon oouh-
Gil of the town of Staunton to take possTssl;o 1
of certain escheated lands, reported that lesls-
lation upon the subject was ineXpedlent' ana
asked to be discharged accordingly; when
was agreed to.
RESIGNATION OF Mr.. ELLIS.
A letter was received from Mr.. W. IL. =.
ELLIS delegate from Norfolk, in which he ten
dered the resignation of his seat in the Gene
raj Assembly.
THE NOMINATIONS FOR JUDGES.
The Committee on Courts of Justice, to
whom had been referred the message of the
Governor making nominations for Judges
made their report, which was Hld Delore the
House with the accompanying resolutions.
MIR. CABELL offered the following substitutes
"Whereas it is of vital importance that the
Judiciary of the Commonwealth should be
speedily organized; and whereas difference
of opinion exists as to the number OF persons
who should be nominated by the Executive 10
the General Assembly for judicial appoint
ment: the House of Delegates, waiving such
question, will, with the consent OF the Senate,
proceed on Tuesday next, at O'Clock, 10 con
slider the judicial nominations sent IN oy tie
Governor, and to confirm or REJECT the s"iu
nominations
Mr.. D1cKEysoy offered, rs an amendment,
n simple resolution, that the elections pro-
ceeded with on tomorrow at L O'CLOCK; when
was subsequently Withdrawn. .
THE report of the Judiciary committee
will be found in another column.
MIR. HANsBRoUGH paid 4 high compliment
to the legal acumen of the Judiciary Commit
tee, who, he said, were, however, so IN the
habit of making q distinction where there was
no difference that they might have become the
dunes of their own credulity. He only knew
two of the nominees, Judge Moncure ana
Judge Joynes, but was willing 10 80 II blind
onthe rest. :.
any nominee were rejected, the Governor
would send in another name; but there was
no proof of this; and the Governor was not
compelled by any pledge, or by the Constltu-
ton to make q second nomination. II he
then refused the Legislature must, in course
of time, adjourn, and then the Executive
would az a matter of course, in vacation have
the absolute appointing power. lie opposed
the substitute offered by Mr.. CABELL.
Mr. BENTLEY spoke very warmly against the
nominee for his district, who, he said, had
never set his foot in the circuit, and was en-
tirely unknown there.
The substitute was then adopted-ayes, 80 !;
noes, 20.
CONTINGENT EXPENSES.
The vote by which the bill to provide tor
the payment of the contingent expenses OF the
Board of Public Works was passed was re-
considered, and the bill was then passed by.
DBBSAoF sELDEN, wITHERs co.
The Committee of Finance offered resolu-
ton authorizing the Governor TO employ an
agent to prosecute the claim of the State OF
Virginia against Selden, Withers Co., the
trustee of either, or any person having IN
possession property conveyed IN trust lor the
payment of said debt.
FREEDMEN's BUREAU.
The same committee reported against the
expediency of legislating upon the subject OF
authorizing county courts TO provide Tor the
payment of the persons associated with agents
of the Freedmen's Bureau in the settlement OF
all accounts in which freedmen are interested
EVIDENCE OF NEGROES.
Senate bill defining mulatto, and providing
for the admission of the evidence OF colored
persons in legal investigations, &C., came up
with substitute reported by the House com
mittee. In addition to the substitute, the
committee also reported an additional bill, they
having divided the whole subject into two
classes. The substitute was adopted and the
new bill taken up.
Mr.. JoYYEs said that the Senate bill pro-
posed to admit the evidence Of colored persons
poses TO admit such testimony so far rs is
necessary 10 secure the rights of colored per-
sons and insure administration of impartial
Justice. The House bill was then ordered to
its engrossment and third reading.
WITNESSES.
Senate bill repeating an act in relation TO
witnesses came up with substitute from the
House committee. The substitute makes
radical change in the law of the State, as IL
provides, except in criminal cases for the
admission Of the testimony of persons in
suits or actions to which they are partners
An amendment, offered by Mr.. BALDWIN, ad-
hitting, also the evidence of all interested
persons was adopted, and the substitute was
agreed TO. AS amended, the bill was ordered
to its engrossment and third reading.
THE UsURY LAW.
Senate bill in relation to the usury law came
up. The Senate bill proposed TO continue the
legal rate at six per cent, except in cases OF
written contracts, by which rate not exceed
ing eight per cent. is permitted. The House
committee reported an amendment striking
out eight and inserting nine per cent. as the
maximum.
Mr.. EVANS spoke in favor of leaving the
legal rate at six per cent, unless otherwise
specified, and was in favor OF making any rate
legal that might be agreed to by contract. He
mentioned instances in which man could
afford to pay even as high a rate as twenty per
cent. to save himself from greater loss and
argued that the present condition OF things
made interest higher than 1t would be otner'
wise, because lenders who would not make
loans at six per cent, and would lend at ten,
required TO be remunerated above that point
on account Of the risk of having their con-
tracts broken upon the plea of usury.
Mr.. DAVIS spoke, in behalf OF the farmers,
against any repeal of the usury laws, but
would be willing, he said, TO agree to an eight
per cent maximum.
Mr.. WHITE moved TO amend the amendment
by making ten per cent. the maximum rate.
Mr.. LEE contended that money had come
into the city on the six per cent. principle,
and denied that the banks had been lenders at
over that rate. He deprecated the distinction
which was proposed to be made in the case Of
the banks, and said he would be only too
happy to SUPPORT the views of his colleague,
but that he believed the measure which he
proposed would tend to the injury of this city.
Mr.. WHITE spoke in support of the amend
ment; and at the conclusion Of his remarks
the House adjourned.