Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-04-02
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA
! SENATE. Saturday, March 23,-Among 9th
ers. the following House bills were passed
| Allowing supervisors of Rockbridge county
to increase the compensation of Superintendent
of the poor.
To amend and re-enact the fifth section of an
act entitled "An act to appropriate the income
arising from the proceeds of the land scrip &C.
cruing to Virginia under act of Congress of July
2, 1862, and the acts amendatory thereof"
Joint resolution instructing the United States
senator's from this State to vote for the repeal
of the duties on tea and coffee was read the first
| and second times and rejected.
| The appropriation bill was under considera-
| ton when the Senate adjourned.
HoUsE.-The Senate tax bill came up as the
special continuing order
MIR. Fitzgerald moved to amend by maxim 2
the specific tax on lawyers SO upon each law
yer who has been practicing less than three
years; and 81 for each additional year of prac-
tice. provided that such tax shall in no case ex-
ceed $780, Agreed to.
The Senate bill imposing taxes for support
of government, &C., after further consideration,
was ordered to engrossment and third reading
ayes 81, noes 29.
SENATE.-Monday, March 25.-House bill
to provide for the reorganization of the militia
OF the State. and to repeal existing laws con-
cerning the same, was taken up, on motion of
Mr.. Roller. 1t was then amended so as not to
require the enrolment of the reserve militia,
making it apply only to the volunteer militia
The passage Of the bill was advocated by Mr..
Connally and opposed by Mr.. Terry, and was
passed and communicated to the House, and
their concurrence in the amendment asked.
Senate bill appropriating the public revenue
for the fiscal year lS7l-'72 was taken up and
put upon its passage, and defeated for want of
constitutional majority (22)-ayes 19, noes 6.
Subsequently the vote by which the bill was
rejected was reconsidered, and the bill was
passed-ayes %, noes 9.
The bill was communicated to the House by
Mr.. Anderson, of Rockbridge,
HOUSE.-The amendments to the House bills
regulating the imposition of taxes for public
school purposes; to amend the act In relation
to the Special Court of Appeals for the purpose
OF requiring session at Winchester; to amend
the Code in relation to the collection of fee bills
to prevent lobbying to authorize the qualified
voters OF Halifax county to vote on the question
of purchasing the toll bridge at South Boston
were agreed to-
Senate bills authorizing the accused in cases
of assault and battery and unlawful trespass to
testify in his own behalf was passed.
Senate bill imposing taxes for the support of
government, &C., came up latter half an hour 8
recess) as the special order, the question being
upon the passage of the bill as amended.
Mr. Daniel called upon all the members of
the House who do not desire to see the wheels
of the State Government clogged to rally to the
support of the bill, although all were not pleas
ed with all Its provisions. He also reflected
somewhat upon the many members whose ab-
sence during the last days of the session had
rendered its passage doubtful matter
The vote being taken resulted as follows;
Ayes 60, noes SO.
All the delegates from Augusta voted in the
affirmative.
The bill failing to receive the necessary ma
jorlty (67 votes required was declared reject
ed.
Mr.. Matthew moved a reconsideration.
Adjourned.
SENATE. Tuesday, March 26th. Mr. Hern-
don offered the following:
Whereas the condition of the business of
the Legislature is such that no laws for the i'm
position of taxes and appropriation of the rev.
enue for the present fiscal year can be passed
without an extension of the session of the Gen
eral Assembly; and whereas the failure to
enact such laws will result In Inconvenience
and perhaps in anarchy, and will be a public
calamity;
"Resoiccd By the Senate 1.-The House of Dele
the General Assembly be extended for period
not exceeding eight days"
After various suggestions and considerable
discussion, on motion of Mr. Quesenberry the
resolution to extend the session was laid on the
table-ayes, 81; noes, 5
During the taking of this vote and the dis
cussion previous to it the confusion and. noise
upon the floor of the Senate and in the lobby
was so great as almost to prevent the clerk
from hearing the responses
Mr.. Thomas asked leave to introduce bill
repeating the existing reassessment bill.
Mr.. NoWlln made the point that resolution
had passed both Houses positively prohibiting
the introduction of new business.
The President ruled that this was not new
business.
Mr.. Roller offered a substitute for Mr..
Thomas's proposed bi which the latter &C
ceptcd and it was by leave introduced.
The question being on the second reading of
the bill this day it failed, receiving only 25
votes-29 being required. None of the Radi-
Gals voted aye.
Here the noise and confusion was renewed
and business became practically suspended
Mr. Nowlln moved to take up the resolution
extending the session, order having been par
TALLY restored. Agreed to.
The vote was taken, and the names Of mem
bers voting AYE" and mo" were read over by
the clerk.
Some time having elapsed and the result not
having been announced, a senator called fer an
announcement of the vote.
The President stated that it was the custom
of the Senate to allow, on matters of impor-
tance, an opportunity for an interchange of
views among members, and he declined to have
the vote announced just then unless so ordered
by the Senate.
The clerk was instructed to read over the
roll again.
| A short time thereafter Mr. Graham de-
manded an announcement of the vote, which
was made after several members had changed
| from one side to another, and the resolution
was defeated mot having received the number
required by law)-ayes, 2l noes, IL.
| At ESQ the chair was vacated until P. nj.
| In the afternoon session, the resolution pre-
sented in the morning by Mr.. Thomas inform
| ing the House of Delegates that the Senate is
now ready to adjourn was taken up and passed
and communicated to that body.
Subsequently Mr.. Lovenstein. from the House
of Delegates informed the Senate that the
House was ready to adjourn and had passed q
of three on the part OF the House, and two on
the part of the Senate, to wait upon the Gov
| eruor.
After brief absence the committee, having
waited upon the Governor, returned to the Sen
ate chamber and reported through Mr.. Cochran
that his Excellency had no communication t.
make, but expressed his profound regret tina
no tax bill or appropriation bill had been pass
ed.
After the usual interchange of messages Will
| II IL Ill n