Courts in such cases to the County Courts.
It was laid on the table.
Petitions, &c.--Mr. Morris presented the petition of Samuel Cox and others, for an act to take the sense of the voters of Marshall county upon the repeal of the act providing for opening and keeping in repair the county roads in the county of Marshall, passed January 6th, 1854; the same gentleman also presented the remonstrance of Arthur C. Masling and others, against the repeal of the road law in Marshall county; Mr. Collier presented the petition of citizens of Petersburg, asking certain changes in the law regulating assemblages of free negroes.
Direct Trade.--Mr. Bisbie's resolutions (heretofore offered) for the encouragement of a line of steamers between Havre, in France, and Norfolk, Va., were called up by by the mover, and after explanation and advocacy, were passed without a dissenting voice.
Bills Passed.--The following bills were read the requisite number of times and passed: Incorporating t
se of Delegates an one or the delegates from the county of Harrison.
On motion, the report was laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.
Resolutions of inquiry.
The following resolutions of inquiry were referred to the appropriate committees:
By Mr. Murdaugh.--Of granting to the county and corporation courts the power of increasing the amount at present allowed to Sheriffs and Sergeants, for keeping and supporting any slave or other person confined in jail.
By Mr. Collier.--Of instructing our Senators and requesting our Representatives, at the regular session of the Confederate Congress, to increasing the pay, during the existing war, of the soldiers and non-commissioned officers of the army, and report by resolution or otherwise.
The House then adjourned.
Corrections.
--In Wednesday's report, the name of Mr. Tomlin should have been printed as Chairman of the Committee.
The resolution in reference to the legalizing of the issue of small
ollowing resolutions of inquiry into expediency were referred to the appropriate committees:
By Mr. Cecil: Of passing an act changing the county line of Wythe and Pulaski, so as to include within the boundaries of the latter county the residence and plantations of Joshua A. Holmes.
By Mr. Vaden; Of so amending the law referring to the subject as to require the Adjutants of regiments, or any officer acting as such, in presenting their bills for mustering companies having no officers, to certify on oath that said officer did muster said company, and for such a length of time as the said law requires.
By Mr. Woolfolk: Of reporting a bill repealing the ordinance of the Convention of Virginia exempting overseers and others from service in the army as militia open.
The petition of the Common Council of Petersburg, in reference to the proposed connection of railroads in Petersburg, was presented.
Wednesday by Mr. Collier, from that city.
The House then adjourned.
ped the ryder might be adopted.
Mr. Anderson, of Rockbridge, said it was thought by the Committee that such feature should be incorporated in the bill.
One of the great causes of the insufficiency of salt arose from the fact that many people had not only laid in a supply for six months, but for two years and more.
He thought such persons, in view of the exigencies of the times, would not hesitate to loan their neighbors sufficient to supply their immediate wants.
Messrs. Newton, Collier, Robertson, Anderson of Botetourt, McDonald, Nelson, Dabney, Shaffey, Hunter, Rutherford, Steger, and others, spoke on the merits of the bill, but want of space precludes the possibility of giving their arguments.
The question was then taken on its passage, and resulted — ayes 65, noes 33.
So the bill passed.
It authorizes the Governor to seize all salt held at exorbitant prices, and place it in the hands of an agent, who shall sell the same to the people at reasonable rates.
The Ho
ted Messrs. Edmunds, Sheffey, Flood. George, and Minor to constitute such addition to the Committee.
The Speaker also appointed Messrs. Newton, Tredway, Sheffey, Collier, Saunders, Franklin, Bouldin and Stregar to constitute the Committee on the manufacture of sea salt.
On motion of Mr. Burks. the unfinished business of Monda. Wenns offered an amendment authorising the construction of such connection without consulting the corporate authorities of Petersburg and Fredericksburg.
Mr. Collier opposed the amendment.
Mr. Wyene replied to Mr. Collier, and spoke in of his measure.
The amendment was adopted, and the bill ordered to be engrossedMr. Collier, and spoke in of his measure.
The amendment was adopted, and the bill ordered to be engrossed.
Bill
A bill to incorporate the Virginia Chemical works.
Reports of committees.
From Committee on Courts of Justice:-- Adverse report on resolution relative to regulating the sale of spirituous liquors.
From Committee on Propositions and Grievances.-- adverse report on the petition of citizens of the county
on-residents.
Adopted.
By Mr. Baker--To provide for the punishment of railroad engineers and other employees for such acts of gross negligence and willfulness on their part as result in the destruction of life and property.
Adopted.
By Mr. Collier--Committee on Finance — Petition of Reub.
Raglan. Adopted.
By Mr. Woodhouse--Committee on Privileges and Elections — To authorize the Clerks of both branches of the General Assembly to administer the oath of office to the members of their of all lands which have been sold for taxes, and now in the hands of the enemy.
Adopted.
House Bills.
A bill to establish a connection between the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad and the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad, etc.
Mr. Collier offered a ryder, providing that nothing in the act should authorize the continuance of the connections for a longer period than during the continuance of the existing war. Rejected.
The bill then passed.
A bill to compel turnpike and
e of the Jailor of Prince William county, for keeping prisoners.
By Mr. Spady--Of amending the 26th section, chapter 192 of the Code of Virginia, 1861.
By Mr. George--Of amending and establishing a branch Bank at Jeffersonville.
Mr. Collier, from the committee appointed to confer with the President in regard to obtaining from the Confederate Government a supply of salt for the State of Virginia, made a report, from which it appeared the Confederate authorities were unable to compthe Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States.
The order of the day, being a bill to encourage the production of salt from sea water, came up.
The bill was discussed by Messrs. McCamant, Sheffey, Robertson, Worsham, Collier, and Steger; after which a vote was taken thereupon, but failed to pass.
A bill constituting a part of New River a lawful fence, was read a third time and passed.
On motion of Mr. Cazenove, the vote on the salt bill was reconsidered.
Mr. Anderson, of Botetourt, suspending the operations of the militia ordinance until February 10th, was taken up.
Mr. Collier said the Governor had taken upon himself the responsibility of not enforcing the ordinance for three weeks past, and hld also do all in our power to protect and encourage the large class of loyal people in the sections referred to.
Mr. Collier opposed the measure.
He was willing to adopt the more summary method of filling the vacancies by the House.
The pland unconstitutional.
Mr. Anderson, of Botetourt, said the resolution said nothing about the mode of election.
Mr. Collier said there were citizens in the unrepresented districts not in the camps, and there was no provision under the ordinanthese citizens to vote out of camps.
Several members suggested that Mr. C. had better examine the ordinance.
Mr. Collier said that as none who ought to be informed seemed to know anything about the question, he would withdraw his oppositio
The House met at 12 o'clock, M. Prayer by Rev. Dr. Jeter.
A message was reveived from the Governor in response to the resolution passed by the House on Thursday.
He stated that no portion of the appropriation made for the Western Lunatic Asylum has been drawn from the Treasury.
Mr. Green presented a resolution providing for the filling of vacancies in the House of Delegates, by the vote of the House, in accordance with the report of the special committee on the subject.
Mr. Collier advocated the passage of the resolution.
He hoped the House would do justice to the loyal inhabitants of the districts occupied by the enemy by giving them representation here.
Mr. Sheffey found the strongest constitutional objections to the resolutions.
They struck at the very root of the representative system.
He sympathized with his friends in the North west, but this condition of things is a public calamity, forced on us by the pressure of war, and in his opinion we could not
Election in Petersburg.
--The following is the vote of Petersburg on Tuesday last, for State Senator, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Dr. J. Herbert Claiborne:
East WardCentre Ward.South Ward.West Ward.Total.
Collier807196127374
Joynes7237435139
Collier's majority235
The entire vote polled was but 513, the smallest recorded since the exercise of universal suffrage, as guaranteed by the Constitution of '51.
This is accounted for by the very inclement w, for State Senator, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Dr. J. Herbert Claiborne:
East WardCentre Ward.South Ward.West Ward.Total.
Collier807196127374
Joynes7237435139
Collier's majority235
The entire vote polled was but 513, the smallest recorded since the exercise of universal suffrage, as guaranteed by the Constitution of '51.
This is accounted for by the very inclement weather, a snow storm prevailing all day, and a large number of voters absent in camp.
