General Assembly of Virginia.
[extra session.]
Senate.
Wednesday, March 20, 1861. The Senate was called to order at the usual hour, Mr. Johnson in the Chair.
Committee Report.--The Committee of Conference on the part of the House and Senate, appointed to confer in regard to the amendments proposed to the Militia bill, made a report, which was read and laid on the table.
A Southern Express Company.--The Senate bill establishing a Southern Express Company, was reported from the House. with several amendments. The Senate rejected the first amendment. The second was agreed to.
Bills Reported.--Authorizing and directing the Board of Directors of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum to receive as an inmate of the same, Wesley James, of the county of Accomac; to authorize the Governor to pardon a slave, (John Hicks,) and restore him to his former owner; incorporating the Rockbridge Insurance Company; for the relief of Robert W. Tomlin, of Hanover county; to authorize the County Court of Fluvanna to appropriate certain funds to the uniforming and equipping volunteer companies in said county; for the relief of the personal representative of Wm. S. Croxton, dec'd; offering for sale a portion of the Armory grounds, to provide quarters for the Public Guard, and a depot for arms and munitions of war at the city of Richmond.
The Tax Bill.--The unfinished business, the consideration of the bill imposing taxes for the support of government, was resumed.
Mr. Lynch's proposition to reconsider the vote by which Keno tables was stricken from the subject of license tax, was rejected.
Mr. Brannon proposed an independent section imposing a tax on the enrollment and registration of every private charter granted by the General Assembly and by Courts of the Commonwealth, as suggested by Mr.Stuart yesterday, as follows:
‘ No private act of Assembly, hereafter described and taxed, shall be published, or have the force and effect, of law, until the party asking and requiring the same shall have paid into the Treasury of the Commonwealth the following sums, to wit:
On every law incorporating or chartering, or rechartering, or renewing the charter of any Bank with a capital not exceeding $200,000, $-- with a capital of $400,000, $--; with a capital of $1,000,000, $--; with a capital over $1,000,000, $--; on every law incorporating Coal, Iron or Manufacturing Company, the sum of $--; on every law incorporating any Canal, Railroad Company, Insurance, Gas-Light, Express, or Telegraph Company, $--; on every law chartering, renewing, or extending the charter of any Savings Institution or Bank of Deposit, the sum of $--; on every law chartering, renewing, or extending the charter of any private Corporation, other than those hereinbefore mentioned, and other than acts for the incorporation of a College, Academy, Seminary of Learning, or Literary, or Charitable Institution, $--.
’ The keeper of the rolls shall, before furnishing for publication any of the laws of the character aforesaid, ascertain first, that the tax and charges aforesaid have been paid into the Treasury in the mode prescribed by law.
Mr. Brannon then moved to lay the bill and pending amendments on the table, on account of the absence of members and in order to give members an opportunity of examining the proposed amendments.
Bill Passed.--Senate bill authorizing the Governor to pardon slaves Jack and Ben, and restore them to their former owner.
On motion, the Senate adjourned.
