Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-03-12
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
EXTRA SESSION.


read the proclamation Of the Executive con-
ven1ng the General Assembly, and the roll was
called.
On motion of Senator Boing-That COM
mittee of eleven members be appointed, with
leave to sit during the session Of the Senate, to
consider the subject of the call Of a convention,
and such other matters as the exigencies Of the
times may demand.
The President appointed Senators Boiling,
Keen, Trout Gray, Alexander, Carter, Gait,
Lawson. McRae Lemosy and Peck, to consti-
tute the committee.
On motion of Senator Keen, the committee
was enlarged by the addition of two members,
and the President appointed Senators Taiafer-
70 and Robinson the additional members
On motion Of Senator Trout, the rules Of last
session ware adopted for the government of the
Senate until otherwise ordered
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
The House was called to order by Mr. Bald
win, and the proclamation Of the Governor con-
vening an extra session of the Assembly was
read by the Clerk. The roll being called, IA
members answered to their names.
THE QUESTION CALLING CONVENTION
Mr. Dickinson offered the following, and
moved a suspension of the rule, so that it might
be acted on at once:
Resolved, That committee of twelve mem
bers be appointed to inquire into the expedien-
cy of reporting bill or joint resolution calling
Convention for the purpose of forming con-
stltutlon OF government for the State of Virgin
ia, under the provisions of the act of Congress
passed March 2 1867 ITO provide for the more
efficient government of the Rebel States" and
that the committee have leave to sit during the
sitting Of this body.
The House refused to suspend the rules
yeas %, nays 54-and the resolution, under the
rule of the House, went to the Committee on
Resolutions.
PROPOSITION FOR A RECESS.
Mr.. Atkinson offered resolution that the
Senate concurring, when the House adjourn to
day, it adjourn to meet at II clock NJ. on the
9th instant.
On motion of Mr.. Crump, the resolution for
a recess, like the resolution for convention,
was referred to the Committee PROSECUTIONS by
the vote Of Ga to r.
BUSINESS AND BILLS OF THE LAST SESSION.
Mr.. Watkins offered a resolution which has
the effect of placing all the bills and unfinished
business Of the last session before this Lcgisla-
ture, as if there had been no adjournment,
| which, after lengthy discussion, was agreed to.
| PROPOSITION TO TEST THE LEGALITY OF THE
| MILITARY BILL.
Mr.. White offered the following, which he
| subsequently, modified to resolution of enquiry,
| and which was then, under the rule, referred
to the Committee for Courts of Justice:
| ResoIred, That the Committee for Courts OF
Justice be instructed to report bill providing
for the appointment Of a commission to test,
before the Supreme Court ofthe United States,
| the legality Of the act of Congress to provide
for the more efficient government of the rebel
| States
On motion Of Nlr. Scott, the House adjourned.
SENATE, Tuesday, March 5th
A message from the House of Delegates, by
Mr. Gray, was received requesting the Senate
to return to the House CT Delegates all such bills
and resolutions, as were passed by the House OF
Delegates and communicated to the Senate at
the late session of the General Assembly, and
which remain undisposed Of by the Senate
Agreed to.
By Senator Coleman-That the House of Del
egates be requested to directed their clerk to re
turn to the Senate, all such bills and resolutins
as were passed by the Senate and communica
ted to the House Delegates at the late session
of the General Assembly, and which remain un-
disposed of by the House Of Delegates.
By the Same-That the Senate, dispensing
with the commitment Of all bills and resolutions
returned from the House Of Delegates, will pro
ceed to consider them in the order in which they
]
By the Same-That the clerk transfer all bills
which originated in the Senate at the late SEES
sion, and not finally acted On therein, to the
calendar of the present session.
| In accordance with Senator Coleman resolu
ton, number OF bills were read the first time
and placed on the calendar.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
A number Of bills, introduced during the past
session and pending at the adjournment Of the
| House, were placed on the calendar
Mr. tray offered a resolution requesting the
Senate to direct their clerk to return to the
House all bills and resolutions passed by the
House during the last session, communicated to
the Senate and undisposed of by that body al
the adjournment. The resolution was agreed
| to.
The Committee for Courts ofJustice request
ed that they be discharged from the further
consideration Of resolution providing for cali
ing a convention, and that it be referred to the
Committee on Resolutions.
SENATE, Wednesday, March 6th-A com.
munication from the House Of Delegates, by
| Mr. Brooker announced the agreement Of that
body in the joint resolution from the Senate, re
questing the House OF Delegates to return such
Senate bills and resolutions, as remained undis
posed of at the late session.
Senator Boiling, from the select Committee
| to whom was referred the Governor message
reported bill calling Convention in accordance
with the provisions Of the force bill vetoed by
the President. The bill thus reported by this
committee in the Senate provides that the Gov
| ernor shall, on or before the 10th of April, ap
! point Commissioners to superintend elections al
| the Court Houses and that these commissioners
| shall appoint three for each precinct, who shall
on the first Thursday in May next open polls
| for all the places for voting for the purpose OF
electing delegates to the Convention to meet in
Richmond on the third Monday in May next to
form constitution in conformity with said out
rageous force bill.
made the order for next day.
| Senator MERCER expressed his strong objec-
tons to it, yet announced his purpose to vote
| for it.
Senator Ould made strong and eloquent
speech against its adoption.
Senators Gray and McRae addressed the Sen
ate In opposition to the views Of Senator Ould.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
| The Committee on House expenses reported
that they deemed the members entitled to mile
age for the extra session as well as the usual
per diem compensation.
A minority report was also submitted which
set forth the argument that mileage was allow
ed only for necessary travelling expenses, and
that as the members were still in the capitol
| they were not entitled to it.
MIR. Goode moved that the minority report
be substituted for that of the committee He
was opposed to granting constructive mileage.
Mr.. Goode motion TO substitute the minority
report was agreed to by the vote of 80 to %