Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-03-08
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.

Giimer and Crenshaw voted in the negative.
before the vote was taken several explanations
and statements were made with reference to
pledges alleged to have been given to the Re-
| construction Committee in Washington, from
| which it appears that no promise whatever was
made to retain in office, IN Virginia, the ap,,
| pointees of General Candy. The tenure of Of
| flee can only be regulated or prescribed by con
stitutional laws
The House refused to suspend the rules to-
consider a resolution thanking the administra-
| zion of General Grant for the s'iberality which
| has characterized its reconstruction policy
SENATE Monday, Feb 2Sth-Iu the SEN
ate, the bill to provide for the organization of
townships was discussed at some length. The
subject was finally recommitted. Mr.. Pendle-
ton offered two resolutions calling for certain in
| formation in regard to the Chesapeake 4 Ohio
| Railroad Company, which were adopted. No
| hing else of general interest was done in the
| Senate
| HOUSE OF DELEGATES. In the House the
| bill for the formation of townships was perfect
I'd and ordered to be engrossed A bill was
| uassed amending the charter of the Alexandria,
Loudoun, and Hampshire railroad company,
and changing its name to the Washington and
| Ohio railroad company. The bill TO incorpo-
| rate the Luray Valley railroad company was
also passed. Both bills go to the Senate for
| concurrence. The Senate amendments to the
House bill regulating the interest on loans, was
concurred in. except the last, which was not
acted on.
SENATE. -Tuesday, March lst.-On motion
of Mr.. Taylor, of Norfolk. the House bill in
cooperating the Luray Valley railroad was taken
up. Mr.. Taylor offered amendments, which
were agreed to, making the minimum capital
of the company 800, 900 instead of $4,000 as
previously provided, and subiecting the COM
pany to the limitation of five years in which to
commence the construction of the road The
| bill was then passed, and under suspension of
| the rules communicated to the House
| The Senate bill to protect the owners of lost
or stolen registered bonds was taken up and
passed.
| The House having refused to concur in all Of
| the Senate amendments to the act in relation
to interest on money, the Senate insisted upon
its amendment, and adopted resolution ask
| ing for committee Of conference to consist of
Ave on the part of the Senate, and nine on the
| part of the House
By vote of % to 10 the Senate passed, with
| a verbal amendment. the enabling act, of which
the following is an abstract:
The act recites that whereas grave doubts
have arisen as to the right Of the civil officers
Of the Commonwealth 1.-THE Governor, Lieuten-
| ant Governor, Attorney General, and members
of the General Assembly excepted) to continue
to hold their Offices, and perform the duties
thereof and as to the legality Of their acts as
such officers since the admission of the State to
the Union, that therefore it is enacted
| /. That all such officers are recognized as
legal officers, and authorized to continue to act
as such (receiving the emoluments Of said Of
fices) until their successors are elected or APP
pointed; Provided they shall, when the law
requires it, execute proper, official bonds, &c.
2. All official acts heretofore done by any
such officer, and otherwise lawful, are declared
legal and binding: Provided that any decision
of the Court of Appeals rendered at the term
ereofcommencing on the 18th day of January,
1870, shall be subject to the supervision of the
Supreme Court of Appeals to be organized I'M
der the constitution, upon the motion or petit
ton, &C.
8. That all vacancies in the Office of justice of
the peace and constable now existing may be
filed by the Governor.
4. That the offices Of circuit and county clerks
shall be vacant at the first term Of the respec-
tive courts hereafter held by the judges elected
under this constitution and such judges shall,
at the said term Of their courts, appoint clerk
for said courts, to continue in Office until his
successor shall be regularly elected In any
county where the clerk CT the county courtshall
be also clerk of the circuit court, then the judge
Of the county court shall appoint the clerk for
commonwealth and of sherffs are to filled in
like manner by the judges of the county courts
5. The Governor shall as soon as practicable
appoint the councilmen or trustees Of all cities
and towns.
6. Such councilmen or trustees so appointed
shall appoint all municipal officers except
judges.
= 7. The officers appointed in pursuance Of this
act shall continue in Office until their successors
are duly elected and qualified
s. The judges of the corporation and
circuit courts and courts of probate hereafter
elected from the said cities and towns shall APP
point the officers of their courts
HOUSE OF DELEGATEs.-T House perfected
F and passed its townships BILL and further con-
sidered the homestead BILL The Radicals con
sumed some time with superhuous resolutions
and speeches thereon.
SENATE. Wednesday, March d.-The
: Senate bills charteriDg the Fredericksburg anc
Northern Neck railroad company, and the Rap
pahannock and Potomac river railroad company
were passed.
House bill concerning the Alexandria. Lou
doun and Hampshire railroad was passed.
Hon. John L. Marye was elected Lieutenant
Governor of Virginia for the residue of the un
expired term of x-Lieutenant- Governor Lewis
and Rev. W. Ell. Ruffner, Of Rockbridge, Su
perintendent of Public Instruction. Seyera
railroad bills were passed
HOUSE OF DELEGATES. the House, the
Radicals made further factious opposition tt
the bill to provide for the gradual displacement
of persons holding office in this State by mill
tary appointment. The Senate amendment
WHICH was only verbal one, was concurred in
SENATE. THURSDAY, March 9rd-In the
Senate, Lieutenant Governor Marye, on resum
ing the duties of presiding officer, delivered al
appropriate address. A bill responsive to The
recent message of Governor Walker in regard
to the oaths Of Office was considered and pass
} ed. The House bill authorizing the Richmond
and Petersburg Railroad Company to borrow
money was passed.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES In the House, the
Homestead bill was further discussed. The
subject was pending at the time Of adjourn
ment.
SENATE. Friday, March 4th.-The Senate
passed joint resolution for the election of city
judges on 10th instant. The bill defining the
jurisdiction of county courts was recommitted
and the resolution In relation to the water
line was referred to the Committee on Roads
and Internal Navigation.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES. The House was
chiefly occupied with the Homestead Bill, y
which is still pending DR.. Pannil again intro
duced the question Of prohibiting the election
of any member Of the House to any position Of
profit during the present session. Considerable
time was consumed in the discussion of his re
solution, and it was finally laid upon the table.
Z We are sorry TO see, from the following card
published in the Enquirer Of Friday last, thai
Jas. c. Southall, Esq, has severed his connec-
tiop with that iournal which ha hoe hoon od;t