Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-02-19
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA

SENATE, Wednesday, Feb. 13th.-A number
Of bills of individual and local interest passed
the Senate, among which was the bill incorpo-
rating the Hot Spring Company in Bath coun-
ty.
The message Of the Governor in reference to
selling the stock and bonds Of the railroad com
panies and taking pay in State bonds, is an i'm
portant document, or may become So The
Governor proposes to try the measure with the
roads on the Southside of James river first.
The bill in regard to the State debt received
considerable attention, and the substitute offer
ed by Senator Lee contains some features not
before introduced III any Of the several bills
The most striking of these are the proposition
to pay per cent. on the debt to pay interest
on the whole debt; and to issue the notes ofthe
State as simple due-bills for any part of such
interest as the treasurer may not have the money
to pay. It is argued that these due-bills will
to some extent serve the purpose of currency,
if made receivable for taxes as is proposed The
bill is the unfinished business of the day and
Will come up to morrow.
HOUSE OF DELEG ATES.
In the House, a resolution was offered in
structing the Committee for Courts of Justice
to report Homestead Billwithout delay, which
resolution was referred to the same committee.
On Mr.. Wallis motion the hour of meeting was
changed to IL clock a. NJ A motion to re-
consider resolution adverse to securing certain
| rights to married women was rejected. A mes
sage from the Governor relative to the exchange
OF State stock in internal improvement COM
panles for State bonds, was received.
CONVICTION AND OHIO RAILROAD.
House bill l25, to provide for the com pletion
of line or lines Of railroad from the waters of
the Chesapeake to the Ohio river, being taken
up as the order Of the day
Mr.. Garrett said he was willing to sell the
interest OF the State in the various railroads at
a fair price, but would never consent to give it
away.
MIR. Baldwin defended the bill deliberately and
at great length. He was one Of the commits
soners appointed by the State to examine into
the possibility of making arrangements to COM
plete the Covington and Ohio road, and this
bill presented the views not only of the Virginia
commission, but of the Joint commission of the
States of Virginia and West Virginia. He spoke
of the advantages and Of the necessity Of con-
structing the road Of the fine climate and great
mineral wealth Of the country traversed by it,
and Of the light, easy grades which rendered it
the most remarkable mountain road In the
world. This road would WHY and enliven
pour to the seaports of Virginia such tide of
wealth as would make Richmond and Norfolk
the markets of the world, and make our State
all we had SO long hoped and struggled to render
it.
This was no petty, contracted, local scheme
but one which was all embracing in its magni-
tude, vast in its scope, overwhelming in its
magnifcence but it was threatened with ruin
from schemes to which our delay was encourag-
ing Jealous and powerful rivals.
The present bill was the result oftoil, thought,
study, negotiation conference with leading
capitalists at home and abroad He thought
the security ample, and that every possible pre-