The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-03-07

hin ma amended blythe adoption o. u sne SUI
s,i.,,te. II was favored by MesTs. BROOKE,
r. cay, aEy. w LKEe, and CoaEILL, and opposed
nv Mcssrs.D ESEkLE and 0FEERAlL.
Mr. BRowT, Of Richmond, explained ms
| reasons for voting for the substitute. ne
had not experienced any change OF views,
but Thought four per cent oes1eF tn'n
nothing.
The bill MS amended was then agreed to
fayes. e.: noes, 49, and ordered to us en-
grossment and third reading.
BILLS, &C., PRESENTED AND REFERRED.
Bv Mr.. MATTHEWS: Resolution as to the
appointment of commissioners for the pur-
nose Of revising the assessment laws.
By Mr.. SNInow: Bill continuing in force
the corporation of the town of Pearsburg.
"THE EQUITIES BILL" g.
The special order, House bill "for the re-
| lief of debtors and the adjustment OF debts
on the principles OF equity" was taken up
| and amended.
Mr.. BAGwELL moved to dismiss the bill.
The motion was opposed by Mr.. DOUGLAS,
who was speaking when the hour for recess
arrived.
Night Session. y
The consideration of the unfinished bust"
ncss--uouse bill for the relief OF debtors
and for the adjustment Of debts on the prln-
ciples of equity-was resumed, inc Pehnnns
question being on the motion OF Mr.. BAG
wr11, to dismiss the bill, aud MIR. DOUGLAS
having the floor. "a
Mir. DoUGLAs urged the adoption of the
hill. or one like it, and had read at the Clerks
desk q portion Of long communication in
favor of an equitable adjustment OF old debts,
which appeared in the Richmond Enquirer
of 1870. -,
Mr.. j. s. GILLIAN briefly opposed the bill,
saving that he gave expression to his opposi-
ton lest, Us he and Mr.. douglas came from
the s:une part of the State, that gentleman
might be supposed to represent fully the Sell
timent Of that section.
Nr. DANIEL protested against the prlnclple
of the bill, and wished that he had more than
fifteen minutes, that he might fully express
his views upon it. He claimed that the bill
was clearly unconstitutional, because 1t I'M
paired the Obligation OF contracts, ana the
constitution Of the State and the Constltu-
ton Of the United States both forbade that.
An idiot ought to be able to see that. The
proper relief for the honest debtor was
Afforded by the bankrupt law, under
which, upon q full surrender of property,
the debtor could be relieved OF the
burdens too great for him to bear.
But this bill proposed to let him keep his
property and get rid of his debt at the same
time; and he babe gentlemen beware that
this bill, by deludins people into an attempt
to withdraw their property from its just OBJ
LEGATION for debt, would thereby expose
themselves to be dealt with Ivy Federal au-
thoritv rs involuntary bankrupts. Was it
the wish to plunge the whole State into bank
ruptcy ct one fell blow? Yet this would be
one result OF the law.
Mr.. DANIEL then rapidly referred to the
bad blood that would he cngendercd be-
tween creditors and debtors, the intermina-
bic litigation that would cnSuc, and the great
prejudice that would lie created by the bill
abroad-whcncc we desired so strongly to
draw immigrants and capital.
Mr.. Smith proposed IN amendment in the
nature Of a substitute, concluding with reso.
lutions that the Legislature has no right to
pass cr-post ,facio laws nor any act imparing
Inc OBLIGATION Of contracts, but recommend
ing all creditors and debtors to compromise
on principles of fairness, kindness, and
mutual forbearlnce.
Mr.. CoGItILL moved to postpone thefurther
consideration of the bill till l. VI. tomorrow.
Nh. U'FrRRALL hoped that the billswould
moi be postponed.
The motion was carried by ca ayes to ii
noes.
TRE2ESTED AND REFERRED.
Rv Mr.. BoRLASn: Petition Of citizens Of
Norfolk city and county asking that the fund
arising from the sale Of the educational land
scrip be applied to the establishment Of an
independent college,
Bv Mr.. BrEEHoLpER; Petition of certain
merchants of Lexington to same effect as
| above.
| INTEREST on PUBLIC DEBT.
5ir. R1ppLEBARGER moved to take up House
bill (ordcrcd to cngrosSment this morning.
for the purpose Of putting it on its third
reading and passage ths day. Agreed to
ayes, 80; noes, 50.
Mr.. GRAY moved that the bill be read
third time this day. Not agreed to-ayes,
only 71---two-thirds Of the members elected
(SS) Icing required.
SENATE AMENDMENTS
to the following House bills were concurred
il:
10 authorize the rediyision of certain
counties into townships.
10 incorporate the 1nchriates' Home:
| PASSED.
! House h'lIs To amend the Code OF 1850
so as to provide for the appointment Of crlers
or persons to perform certain duties where
there are no serilS or scrgeants; to relieve
the heirs of Bennett Aldridge, deceased to
authorize the voters o.. certain counties to
vote upon the question Of repeating the act
In relation to fences, and for the protection of
crops; to incorporate the Stafford Free
Bridge or Ferry Company; to amend the act
prescribing the duties and compensation of
certain township officers to authorize the
supervisors of the counties of Norfolk and
ucnrico to increase the salaries ofthc judges
of the county c0urts Of said counties.
ELL ADVANCED.
. The following was ordered to engross-
ment and third reading:
House bill for the construction Of narrow
gauge railroad from the West Virginia line
in Pendleton county, through Highland,
Bath, and Allegheny counties, to the Chesa-
pcake and Ohio railroad--atter it was amend
ed 50 as to connect with the Chesapeake and
Ohio at Coyington; to have a capital stock
not exceeding S3,000,00O, and striking out
the clause referring differences about the
terms of connecting with other roads to the
Board of Public Works.
| Adjourned