House of Delegates.
Tuesday. Feb. 5th, 1861.The House was called to order at 12 o'clock M., by Speaker Crutchfield, and opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Deshiel.
Bills Reported.--The following bills were reported from committees, viz: Amending an act marking the boundary line between Fluvanna and Albemarle counties; repairing and furnishing the Governor's house; amending an act providing for the working of the county roads of Loudoun: amending the 2d section of the act passed Feb. 9th, 1860, providing for a further subscription to the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad Company.
Resolutions.--The following resolutions of inquiry into expediency were offered: By Mr. Phelps, of reporting a bill securing to the Commonwealth in any internal improvement company in which the said Commonwealth is a stockholder or has an interest, a representative in the directory of any such company proportionate to the amount of stock held by the Commonwealth in such company, and so to provide that the Commonwealth shall be entitled to the same vote pro rata on each share of stock owned by it in any such company as is given to any other stockholder in any such company; by Mr. Graham, of reporting a bill incorporating the town of Asbury, in the county of Wythe; by Mr. Lucas, of allowing to Jno. Powers, assignee of Hiram Mansey, $8.15 for tuition of poor children in Giles county.
Bills Passed.--The following bills were passed: Amending the charter of the Bank of Howardsvill; repealing an act passed March 19th, 1860, concerning the mode of catching fish in certain waters; incorporating the town of Cameron, in the county of Marshall; amending the charter of the town of Bath, in the county of Morgan: amending an act passed March 31st, 1860, entitled an act to restrict the catching of oysters in certain months; authorizing the Clerks of Supreme Courts and the District Courts of Appeals to take orders of publication in vacation; amending an act incorporating the Lewisburg Female Institute.
Committee on Free Negroes.--The Speaker announced the following committee on the above subject, viz: Messrs. Woolfolk, Oregon, McCamant, Rives, Eddington, Kincheloe, Montague, McGehee, and Martin of Nelson.
Telegraphic Operators.--An adverse report was returned to the resolution inquiring into the expediency of exempting employees in telegraphic offices from military duty.
Petitions, &c.--Mr. Chapman presented the petition of James K. Scott and 170 others, citizens of the counties of Greenbrier and Monroe, remonstrating against the formation of a new county out of parts of Monroe and Greenbrier; Mr. McDowell presented the petition of citizens of Botetourt, for the passage of a law prohibiting free Negroes and slaves to own dogs.
Motion to Adjourn Temporarily.--Mr. Crump called up a motion to adjourn, (heretofore offered.) Objection was made to the motion, and the Speaker informed Mr. Crump that the motion heretofore offered had been withdrawn at the time it was made. As indicated heretofore and to-day, the House is decidedly against any adjournment, and will proceed in the dispatch of the public business.
Laid on the Table.--The bill authorizing the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad Company to construct a branch of their road to some point on the North Carolina line, was, on motion, laid on the table; also, the bill incorporating the Norfolk County Railroad Company.
General Business.--A large number of bills were read the requisite number of times, and ordered to be engrossed. The bill to carry out the 19th section of the Constitution of Virginia, (respecting free Negroes and the mode of voluntary enslavement of said class of persons,) was taken up and considered. Messrs. Duckbill and Kaufman advocated its passage, and Messrs. McKenzie, Hammond and Myers advocated laying on the table. A motion of the latter to that effect finally prevailed.
On motion of Mr. Collier,the House adjourned.
