The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-24
THE LEGISLATURE.
RICHMOND, February "a.
The Lieutenant Governor in the chair

The Lieutenant Governor in the chair
PERSONAL.
MIR. Smith, of Henrico, rose to ques-
tion of personal privilege, and read from
the editorial columns Of the Richmond
Wing of to-day an article headed "The
Richmond Senator's" as follows:
"All three disregarded the instructions of
their constituents and voted for the bill to
give the Penrsylvanians the control of the
Dansille road, and in fact of all our roads.
The two from the city, we hear, said they
would not mind instructions, if signed BY
every voter in Richmond. We hope there is
some mistake in this, and had expected little
more gratitude for the distinguished honor
conferred upon these gentlemen. Mr.. Norman
Smith took higher ground-he said he knew
he was respected by nobody or neither party
and, therefore, should vote to suit himself"
Mr.. Smith said that no such construc-
ton could be fairly put upon the language
used by him on yesterday on the occasion
referred to, and he thought the article re-
fected upon him, and, Indeed, upon the
Senate. 1t was unwarranted and un-
founded, and in his opinion newspaper
publishing such statement was deserving
of the severest censure. He said nothing
of the kind credited to him in regard to
instructions" and his disregard of the
wishes of his constituents, he desired to
say that petition, signed by large num-
Der Of the best citizens of Richmond and
Henrico, had been presented to him re-
questing him to vote as be had done.
A GENERAL RAILROAD LAW.
On motion of Mr. Taylor, of Loudoup,
the committee on roads and internal navi-
CATION YVES instructed to inquire into the
expediency OF adopting a FREE and uniform
railroad policy.
BILLS INTRODUCED AND REFERRED.
The following bills were this day intro
duced, by leave, and referred to appropri-
ate commit os;
porate the Bank of Commerce Of Norfolk.
By same--To incorporate The Norfolk
and Princess Anne Turnpike company.
By Mr.. Latham-Appointing trustees
for the town of Newport in the county of
Prince William.
LEAVES OF ABSENCE
were granted to Mr.. Roller for five days,
and to Mr.. Penn for one week.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.
On motion of Mr.. Grimsley the bill to
provide board of equalization to equalize
the assessment of taxes, was taken up.
House of Delegates.
House met at II A. M. Speaker Turner
in the chair. Prayer by Rev. G. W..
Motley, of the Methods, church.
BILLS REPORTED
Senate bill authorizing the sale of the
States interest in the O., A. and M. r. R.,
reported back with recommendation that
the House adopt the substitute offered by
Mr.. Mahood, as amended by the House.
House bill to amend and re-enact sec. l.,
chapter 164 Of the code of 1860 es hereto
fore amended, in relation to granting Ii
cences to attorneys at law.
THE HOUR OF MEETING.
On motion of Mr.. Murrill, the resolu-
tions heretofore offered by Messrs. Lawson
ard Keyser, providing for two sessions of
the House per day, were taken from the
table.
After some discussion, the whole matter
was, on motion of Mr.. Bagwel, referred
to the committee on rules.
THE WASHINGTON AND RIoBMoND RAILWAY.
Mr.. Hudgin moved to take up the bill
amending the charter and changing the
name of the Alexandria and Frede.icks-
burg railroad company, as returned, with
amendments, from the Senate. He cited
rule A as permitting the House to take il
up by majority vote.
The Speaker ruled that the bill would be
referred unless the House decided by a
two-thrds vote to take it up.
Mr.. Wood appealed from the ruling OF
the Chair.
One hour and half was spent in the
discussion of this question, after which
the appeal was withdrawn.
A motion to dispense with the reference
was then made by Mr.. Budd and re-
jected-ayes SO, nays 45--not two-thirds
voting in the affirmative.
The same gentleman moved to suspend
the calling of the calendar for one hour,
which was agreed to-ayes sc, nays so.
Mr.. Wood then moved that the COM
mittee on roads be discharged from the
consideration of the Alexandria and Fred
ericksburg bill, with Senate amendments,
and that the chairman be instructed to re-
port the bill at once to the House.
The question was being discussed as we
! close.