Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-05-07
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
EXTRA SESSION.

EXTRA SESSION.
SENATE, Friday, April 26th.-The House
bill to amend the criminal procedure of the
State was passed. 1t abolishes the examining
courts and authorizes the trial of felonies by
the county courts. 1t also abolishes all distinc
ton in the punishment of negroes, or in crimi-
nal proceedings against them, and in this res
pect places them on an equality with whites.
MI. Lee, by leave, introduced bill to amend
an act passed April 23rd, 1861 in relation to
salaries of certain officers of the Government,
which was taken up, passed, and sent to the
House of Delegates.
By Senator McRae, from the Committee on
Finance-Senate bill No. 96, to promote edu-
cation and making an appropriation for the pur-
pose.
Subsequently taken up, ON motion of Senator
McRae, when Senator Keen moved it's indefi-
mite postponement. After some debate between
Senators Keen, McRae and Lee, the Senate
refused to postpone-ayes, 4 noes, 49,.
Senator Ould moved to amend the bill so as
to apportion the appropriation between the
whites and blacks according to the amount OF
capitation tax paid by each respectively.
greed to. Ayes, II; noes, 10.
On motion of Senator Gray, the amount of
the appropriation was reduced from 900 to
100000.
The bill was discussed at considerable length
by several Senator's and Senator Keen moved
to lay it on the table, but the Senate refused.
Senator Davis moved to reconsider the vote
by which the amendment of Senator Ould was
agreed to, and the Senate agreed to reconsider.
Senator Keen renewed his motion to lay on
the table, but the Senate again refused.
The amendment of Senator Ould was then
rejected-ayes, 9; noes, IA. The bill was then
ordered to be engrossed and read the third time.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
The Senate bill imposing tax on oysters
came up in order. 1t had been reported from
the Committee of Finance with recommends
ton that it do not pass.
Mr.. Smith moved that it be dismissed, re.
marking that it was more Objectionable to his
| constituents than the present law.
| The motion being put, it was agreed to.
| The bill to amend an act incorporating the
Potomac Railroad Company, passed February
| 81, 1867, reported from the Committee o1
| Roads with recommendation that it do not
pass, came up in order. The bill was opposed
| by Mr. English and supported by Mr.. Waddell.
| MIR. Graham stated that the committee was
adverse to the bill because the act of 2lst Feb
| ruary gave time to 1st July to the old company
! to resume their work.
! The question being put the bill passed with.
out a division.
| The passage of this bill enables the company
at once to proceed with the construction Of the
| road
BILLS PASSED.
The following Senate bills were read third
| time and passed:
A bill for the relief of James O. Harris, late
sheriff of Culpeper county.
A bill to suspend the collection of the oyster
capitation tax on the inhabitants Of the island
of Chincoteaque for the years 1867 and 1863
Very energetically sustained by MIR. Kellam
and passed-ayes 81, noes |.
A bill to amend chapter II Of the Code o1
1860, SO as to provide for residences Of bishops
and other ministers not in charge Of congrega
| tions.
| A bill to amend the lst section OF the act
passed on the 24th instant for the extension Of
| the Richmond and Danvie Railroad.
| A bill making an appropriation to build an
| iron railing around the Washington monument.
! A bill to amend the act incorporating the
| Lynchburg and Danville Rairoad-ayes 81,
noes IA.
House bill Incorporating the Harrisonburg
| Female Institution.
IMMIGRATION BILL REJECTED.
| The bill granting bonus and loan to the
| Virginia Immigration Society was read a second
| time and rejected, in accordance with recon.
lnCuudtOI lTOiu IIlC COLuLulItCt Uu Agriculture,
| &C., that it do not pass
At the hour of clock the House took re-
cess until 5.
EVENING SESSION.
The House met at 5 o'clock, and continued
the consideration of bills in their early stages
STATE DEPOsITARIEs.
The bill relating to the depositaries of the
public money coming up, Mr. Baldwin with
drew his amendment, offered yesterday, and of
fered substitute for the bill The modifca-
tons in the substitute are, that the deposits are
to be stopped when checks are not paid, OF
when the depositary makes any breach Of duty
as depositor. 1t is more particular as to the
condition Of the bond given by the depositary,
and in addition to the bond Of 100000, each
bank is required by the substitute to deposit
security to the amount Of 100000 in State
| bonds.
A debate ensued, in which the feature of the
additional security of $1,000 in State bonds
was discussed. Mr.. Baldwin sustaining and Mr.
Crump opposing it.
Mr. Evans moved to amend the substitute
by striking out this feature, which motion pre-
vailed.
Mr.. Graves moved to amend by making the
bond to be given by each bank $i5O,OOO, which
motion was agreed to.
The bill was then ordered to its engrossment
THE OYSTER TAX.