Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-03-19
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA

SENATE.-W ednesday, March 13.-The
House amendment to the Senate bill providing
| charter for the city of Staunton was agreed
| to.
The bill yesterday agreed upon, dividing the
! land scrip between Hampton Institute and
| Preston DIN Institute-one- third to the former
and two-thirds to the latter-was amended and
passed without dissenting voice.
House. special order, Senate bill to
regulate and define the jurisdiction ofthe coun-
| ty and circuit courts, t. prescribe the number
| of county judges, came up.
| Mr.. Brooke moved to lay on the table. Lost
ayes, 81; noes, 81.
| MIR. Deneale moved to postpone Indefinitely.
| After considerable discussion this motion was
agreed to-ayes, 6S noes, 43.
House bill to provide for the reorganization
of the militia. and to repeal existing laws con-
corning the same, was passed by a constitution.
al vote-ayes, 73; noes, %.
| At the night session, the bill to reduce the
per diem Of members of the General Assembly,
| was taken up.
| Pending its consideration, and after consid-
cradle fibustering, the House lat 1920 P. N.
adjourned.
SENATE Thursday, March l4.-The Sen
ate declined to concur 10 the action of the House
extending the session for six days from the 10Th
| inst.
HoUsE.-On motion of Mr.. Walker, Senate
bill providing for the disposition of the proceeds
of the sale of the land scrip donated Virginia
by Congress for educational purposes was taken
up.
The bill having been read, Mr. Graham cal
led the previous question, but the call was not
sustained
A scene of considerable confusion ensued.
0r1h fhoS oLor al 10, " I,.I
to threaten to enforce the rules by the aid of
the Sergeant-atArms.
Mr.. Walker called the pending question, but
withdrew it at the earnest request Of the color
ed members.
Mr.. Peter Carter (colored Republican, then
offered an amendment giving five-twelfths, in
stead of one-third, to the Hampton Normal
School.
Mr.. Powell called the pending question.
Mr.. Norton (celored Republican, called the
yeas and nays. If gag-law was to be enforced
he wished to know who favored it.
The pending question was ordered-ayes, Sc !;
noes, so.
At this point in the proceedings Mr.. Deneale,
who was standing in the middle aisle, and Mr.
Riddlebarger, who was about rising from his
seat with menacing gesture, were placed un,
der arrest by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Mr.. Rlddlebarger arose to question OF high
privilege. He had just been insulted by a mem
Der of this House Mr. Deneale) by being called
a scoundrel and puppy. He was law abid-
Ing man, but although the gentleman who had
insulted him was his senior, as man and as
representative he could not and would not SUBJ
NIT to any lndlgnlty from him. He demanded
to know why he MIR. Riddebarger) was placed
under arrest when about to resent aninsult and
his assaiant was not,
The Sergeant alarms said he had placed
both gentlemen under arrest because breach
of the peace was imminent
The Speaker Mr.. Watts In the chair) said
the Sergeant alarms had discharged his duty
in arresting the gentlemen if difficulty on the
floor was about to take place, but be could not
hold them without the further order of the
House.
Messrs. Bagwel, Kelly. and Lawson thought
the Sergeant-at-Arms had done no more than
his duty.
Mr. Booker said that officer was carrying out
instructions given him by him Mr.. Booker)
while in the chair.
Mr.. Deneale said he had been first insulted
by the gentleman from Shenandoah (Mr. Rid
dlebarger,) and would resent an insult from
either an old Or young man in his own way
He did not claim the protection of the House,
and had no apology to make.
Mr.. Bagwell thought this scene was q dis
grace to the House, and that the House should
at once take action to maintain its dignity,
Dir. Riddlebarger arose to ask that the words
spoken by DR.. peneale be taken down by the
Clerk.
Mr.. BagwelI raised the point of order that
the gentleman from Shenandoah Mr. Riddle-
barger) was under arrest, and had NO right to
be heard.
The Chair (Mr. Watts) decided the point |
we'll taken.
Mr.. Kelly offered the following resolution
"Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-Arms be,
md is hereby, directed to arrest and continue
o hold in custody the member from Shenan-
loah (Mr Riddlebarger) and the member from