Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-01-29
Virginia Legislature,

way of the city of Norfolk to Memphis. Tenn.
The report is accompanied by the tariffs of
the Norfolk and Petersburg. Soathside and
Virginia and Tennessee Railroads, but not
by that OF the Orange and Alexandria Rail-
road, this not having been furnished
Mr, Keen moved to lay the communication
on the table and print. Mr., Robinson stated
that he had offered resolution calling for
information in regard to tolls from Northern
cities over the Orange and Alexandria and
Virginia and Tennessee railroads to N emphis.
No response had yet been received and he
gave notice that unless the Board of Public
Works responded by Monday morning, he
should ask for special committee upon the
subject, with power to send for, persons and
papers.
The matter was debated at length.
Mr.. Peck suggested that the report be laid
upon the table, aud that no printing be or
dered uutiithe tariff of the Orange aud Alex
andra railroad was received
The motion to lay on the table was agreed
to, but the motion to print was defeated.
In the House of Deleg ties, the report of
the Committee Of Propositions and Grievau-
ces against the petition of James Sangster.
sheriff of Alexandria. for allowances of Ger.
tain claims for Delinquent taxes, was read and
concurred in by the uouss.
The 6Iil IN relation to tho Usury law was
then tiken up. The question in order was
the proposition Of Mr.. Crump. to commit
with instructions. 1t was put and decided in
the negatlve-ayes, Il noes, &C.
After votes upon various proposed amend
ments' the question was finally taken, and the
bill for amending the present law in relation
to Usury, was defeated by the large vote Of
Sc to "a
In the Senate, on Monday, protractcd
discussion took place on the proposition to
exempt the Polish immigrants lately settled
IN 0pottsiyvanla county. from taxation for
three years. 1t was determined in the mega
tive. At the close of the discussion. Mr.
l'uld referred to the fact that the Constitu.
ton prohibits the appropriation of any part
OF the revenue of the Commonwealth to in
dividuals not paupcrs
The election Of Second Auditor was the
next question debated, and bill was intro
duced to. provide a salary. etc.
In the House Of Delegates. number of
bills were passed of local interest mainly. A
bill to pay for supplies furnished the Eastern
l4unatic Asylum ELECTED a debate. and after
being amended. was ordered to its third read
ing. a bill allowing the sheriffs two months
additional time in which to pay in the rove
nues OF the Commonwealth. was passed.
The joint resolution of the Senate, for the
passed. A number Of resolutions and pcti-
tlons were presented.
In the Senate, on Tuesday, Mr.. Alexander
introduced resolution in regard to contracts
with freedmen. which directs attention to an
important subject. The present law imposes
a hne OF $50 upon any person who shall in
ducc negro to violate his contract with his
employer. Whether this fine is to 90 to the
employer whose contract has been violated
as damages for the violation, or to the Cons
monwealth as q penalty for violation of law.
is question.
A most interesting debate. took place on
the bull to authorize residents of Richmond
to borrow money at rate of interest higher
than six per cent. The bill was pending
when the Senate adjourned 1t is intimatcd
by some Of the advocates of the repeal of the
law restricting the rate of interest. that If all
other measures fail, bill will be introduced
modifying the law upon condition that it shall
be ratified by the people at the polls on the
4th Thursday in May.
The question regarding the election of
Second Auditor, and n Register of the Land
Office, was finally settled yeste day by the
concurrence Of the House in the joint rCsou-
ton passed by the Senate to 20 into the cleo
ton OF these officers. SO the matter is settled.
at least for the present.
In the House, Mr. Huntington introduced
n resolution lnquiring into the expedicncy of
releasing ali citizens from taxes due the State
PRIOR to April, 1865. The bill to pay certain
citizens for supplies furnished the Eastern
Lunatlc Asylum was recOmmitted The Com.
mittec on Propositions and Grievances re-
ported adversely on the proposition to post
pone the Governors election until the fall as
the Constitution fixes the time to be the
fourth Thursday of May next. A memorial
OF Messrs. Barring Brothers, Of England. in
regard to interest TN State bonds due. was
referred to the Finance Committee. The
Senate homestead bill was reported adversely
on by the House committee, when. on motion
of Mr. Garnet, the subject was made the or
der OF the day for Tuesday, the 29th instant.
Some amendments were made to House bill
dlsposlng of the States interest in the Alex
andria: Lcudoun and Hampshire railroad on
certain conditions, when, on motion of Mr..
Bentley, the bill was passed by, for the pres
cnt.
The petition of VIM II. Muir was referred
to the Committee for Courts of Justice.
In the Senate, on Wednesday. little was
done beyond the election of Mr.. Sutton as
Register of the Land Office. The election
OF Second Auditor was postponed for the
purpose of maturing the bill fixing his sala-
ry. &c.
The bill proposed by Mr Ould to allow
residents Of Richmond to borrow money at a
higher rate of interest than six per ct. was
farther discussed
In the House. bill to incorporate the Nor
folk and Great Western railroad was ordered
to a third reading. A memorial from Roths
childs Brothers for pay for tobacco DESTROYED
by fire in 1868. was referred to Finance Com
mittce-the claim is for s32, 514. The cleo
ton of Second Auditor was postponed to Fri
day, and the election of Register of Land Or
fee was proceeded with, and resulted in the
choice of Mr. Halves r. Sutton.