General Assembly of Virginia.
The President laid before the Senate a communication from the Executive, dated March 21st, 1862, enclosing a report from the Adjutant-General, supplementary to a previous report from the same officer, receive on Monday last, showing what had been done to carry out the act of the Legislature of February 8th, 1862. (The Draft Bill.)
On motion of Mr. Wilby, the communication and accompanying document were referred to the Committee on Military Affairs.
Resolution.
By Mr. Robertson: That the Committee for Courts of Justice, inquire and report to the Senate, as soon as practicable, whether any legislation be rendered necessary or proper before the adjournment of the General Assembly in the event of the adoption of the new Constitution.
Special report
Mr. Conrad, from a special committee, reported a bill for the revision of the military laws of the present session.Mr. Brannon, from the Committee for Courts of Justice, reported a resolution in relation to certain coupons held by C. W. Purcell & Co.
Bills reported.
A bill for the relief of Wilson Hix, Sheriff of Appomattox county.A bill for the relief of Robert Cook.
A bill paying to John Kelly, surviving partner of the firm of Kelly & Largner, the amount of a judgment of the Circuit Court of the city of Richmond against the Board of Public Works.
The stay law
On motion of Mr. Whittle, the bill providing for a stay law was taken up.Mr. Collier moved that the bill and amendments be laid on the table and made the order of the day for Monday next. The motion was agreed to.
Bills passed.
A bill amending and re-enacting the 8th section of chapter 29th of the Code of Virginia of 1860. This bill is of peculiar interest to such of the community as are liable to military duty. It provides that "no person shall absent himself from his regiment after the commandant thereof has received an order requiring a draft or detail to be made, and of which such person shall have been informed in any way, until such detail or draft shall have been made." Every person so offending, who shall be subsequently detailed to march, unless he join the detachment with which he is detailed, at its rendezvous, or show that he was prevented from so doing by unavoidable cause shall be considered and treated as a deserter. Every person who shall refuse to give his name to the proper officer, when called upon for enrollment, under the act passed February 8th, 1862, entitled "An Act for ascertaining and enrolling the military forces of the Commonwealth," shall be considered and treated as a deserter. The bill has yet to be acted on by the House. A bill for the relief of John S. Harrison, Sheriff of Tazewell county. A bill incorporating Marengo Lodge I. O. C. F., in the town of Martinsburg,On motion of Mr. Newlan the Senate adjourned.
