The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-12
VIRGINIA LEclsLATURE.
TUESDAY, Dec. 18th.
House of Delegates.

House OF Delegates.
House met at Il O'Clock.
PRAYER by Rev. G. G. Biting, of the Sc
cond Baptist church.
journal of yesterday read.
The Chair announced q message rom the
Governor, relating to the James River and
Kanawha Company, which being read by
the Clerk, is as follows:
CosiMoSwHALrH or VIRGINIA,
EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS
RICHMOND, Dec. nth, ls7l.)
10 the General Assembly:
7 have the honor to transmit herewith, for your
consideration, memorial of the James River
and kanawha Company, together with note
from the President of the Company, and an all ,
letter in support of the memorial from Col *
w. Hughes. The company ask an extension ot
its charter, and that ample power be conferred
upon a commission 10 be selected by you 10 trans
fer the rights property aud franchise of the
company, eitherto the United States government
or private parties, in such manner and on such
conditions as will secure the early completion of
the canal L know of no way by which the now
almost yaueless interest in this company owned
by the stale, can be rendered valuable, on the
objects sought to be accomplished by the invest
ment realized. except by the completion of the
work already begun. But The condition OF our
State and the provisions OF her constitution alike
forbid any attempts in this behalf on her part.
Aid must be Obtained elsewhere, and IL is pro-
bable that this cannot be secured except by sur
render on the part OF the State of her interest
to the States of Virginia and West Virginia from
the completion of this great water line, are al
most incalculable, and TO secure them, il appears
to me, they would be amply justifed, not olly in
renewing the charter, hut in donaiing the invest
ment already made. The plan proposed in The
memorial of placing this properly in the hands
of commission, to be disposed of upon such
terms and conditions as win insure its early com
pletion, and with suitable reservation and guar
antees as to its future use and management IN
der all the circumstances, cordially commend.
Very respectfully,
G. @. WALKER.
Message from the Senatc--Senate bill to
amend and reenact an act passed March
10Th, 1860, incorporating the town of
Powelton, in the county of Amherst. Pro-
perly referred.
Senate. bill--An act 10 incorporate the
Norwood Mining and Petroleum Company.
Referred.
The Committee on Courts of Justice
having reported against granting to single
magistrate the power to take the acknoW-
Judgement of married women to deed
of conveyance, elected some discussion, in
which old fogyism was displayed to an
alarming extent. The argument that it
was an ''old time CUSTOM seemed to have
more influence than anything else. We
are pleased to announce the rejection Of
this very singular report Of the committee.
Mr.. Walker offered an amendment to the
report of the committee, so changing it as
to make it in favor Of allowing the ac-
acknowledgement to be taken by single jus
ticc. The vote being taken, the report as
amended resulted in its adoption by vote
ofayes 81, noes, 81. This came very near
being first-class old iogyism.
BY Mr.. Stoval-
Resoiced, That the Committee on Courts CT
Justice be instructed to inquire into the expedi-
ency OF passing q law allowing debtors who file
their deeds claiming the benefit of the Homestead
law, the right to appeal from the decision OF any
lower court deciding the said law 10 be unconsti
tutional to the Court of Appeals without bond
and security, as now required by law and sus-
pending all DEGREES for sale of such homestead,
till the coustitutionality OF said law be decided
by said court.
A message from the Senate announced its
disagreement to the amendment of the
House IN reference to extending relief to
tax payers until May " instead OF
"Alarch.v
There seems to be great difficulty in OBJ
tanning order in the House, the members
persisting in loud talking, much to the an
noyance of the Speaker, and delaying BUSH
ness.
On the proposition that the House recede
from its amendment to the relief bill, the
vote being taken, resulted as follows ayes,
SO; noes, So.
by Mir. Deneale---
Resolued, That the Auditor of Public Accounts
furnish this House n statement showing the
whole amount oirevenae received under tue tax
law of 1874, setting forth the items with The
nmounts) from which such revenue was de
rived
BY Mr.. GiInan--A bill providing fol-
furnishing to tue colleges of the State, in
which law schools are established, surplus
law publications.
By Mr.. Daniel-A bill continuing the
payment of interest and dividends to the
incorporated colleges or other seminaries
of learning in this State.
The question of extending the time for
the payment of taxes from March until
May, elected some discussion, Mr.. Deneale
Of Rockingham, fayoring the rcceling Of
the House from its amendment. We are
surprised TO find any member from the
Valley placing himself in opposition to this
substantial relief, since such heavy COM
plants reach US from that section of the
State, of the burthen Of taxation. Upon a
question to reconsider the vote, the roll
stood-ayes 40; noes 60.
By MIR. Gardnei-
Resolved, That the Committee on Printing be
instructed to inquire into the reported ''combiua-
high prices Tor printing from the State, whether
or not the Superintendent is u party to said
Combinations" and whether or not the expenses
for public printing for the past two years have
been excessive.
BY Mr.. Bagwell-Petition Of Edward L.
Willis, of Northampton county, coltesting
the seat of Peter j. Carter as delegate to
the General Assembly from said county.
Referred to Committee on Privileges and
Elections.
BY Mr.. Graham--A bill for the protce-
ton Of fish in the waters OF New river and
its tributaries. Referred TO Committee on
Chesapeake and its Tributaries,
By Mr.. Graves
Rssolgsd, That the Committee on Finance IN
quire into the experience Of amending The 45ih
section of an act approved July 9th, 1870 provitl-
ing for the reassessment of lands throughout the
Commonwealth, so as TO allow any person feel
ing himself aggrieved, by the assessment of his
lands or lots to apply TO the court of his county
or town to have the assessment Of his lands or
lots corrected.
BY Mr.. Hanger--Petition OF John Wine,
asking to be relieved from erroneous as
sessment Of taxes. Referred to Committee
on Finance.
BY Mr.. Head-A bill to amend and re-
enact section Of an act approved July 9th,
1870, entitled san act to Teassess the lands
throughout the Commonwealth. y Referred
to Committee on Finance.
By Mr.. Bishop--