General Assembly of Virginia.
Tuesday, March 10, 1863.
Senate.--The Senate assembled at 10 o'clock, and was opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Spriggs. A number of Senate bills passed by the House of Delegates; also, a bill incorporating the Insurance and Savings Society of the city of Peters burg, were taken up and passed.
Mr. Johnson submit of the minority report of the Committee on Salt; also a copy of a contract entered into with Charles Scott & Co., for an adequate supply of salt.
The bill to provide for the public defence by the impressment of negroes to work on the fortifications, with a substitute therefore substituting free negroes for slaves, was disagreed to and a committee of Conference, to meet a committee from the House on the same subject, was appointed.
Mr. Nash asked leave to introduce a bill incorporating the Richmond Importing and Exporting Company which was read twice and ordered to be engrossed.
Mr. Newman introduced a resolution instructing the Committee for Courts of Justice to inquire what further legislation is necessary by the imposition of heavier fines and penalties to effectually suppress gambling.
The tax bill was called up by Mr. Brannon and made the order of the day for Wednesday at noon, the consideration of the bill to continue from day to day until disposed of.
On the motion of Mr. Hart that the Senate go into secret session, an interesting side play of sharp words ensued between Messrs Thompson, Robertson, Brannon, Christian of Middlesex, and others, on the opposition raised by Mr. Thompson to closing the doors upon the discussions, Mr. Thump son said he had heard nothing in the three days' secret discussion of the questions before the Senate that could not have, without harm to the cause or the country, been proclaimed upon the house-top.
At noon the Senate went into secret session — When the doors were opened the Senate adjourned.
Bills and Acts Passed.--The following bills and acts passed in the ad interim: An act to connect the Northwestern Bank of Virginia, at Jeffersonville, into a separate and independent bank. An act to establish an inspection of tobacco at Keene's warehouse, in the town of Danville. A bill to authorize the use of the jail of the State by the Confederate Government. A bill to provide against the forfeiture of compensation to fiduciaries in certain cases.
House of Delegates.--The House met at 11 o'clock.
Majority and minority reports were made from the Committee on Salt and the whole subject made the order of the day for to-morrow at 12 o'clock.
Mr McDonald, from the special committee appointed for the purpose, reported a bill providing for holding elections in counties partially in the possession of the enemy; which was read a first and second time, and ordered to its engrossment.
A message was received from the Senate, informing the House that that body had disagreed to House amendments to the bill for the impressment of negross and asking a committee of conference on the subject of disagreement. The committee was appointed accordingly.
Mr. Buford called up the bill establishing a flour inspection in the town of Danville; which was read a third time and passed.
Mr Barks submitted a resolution, which was agreed to, authorizing the keeper of the Roles of this House to advertise in two of the newspapers published in the city of Richmond the act authorizing fiduciaries to invest funds in their hands in certain cases.
On motion of Mr. Baskerville, the bill establishing a military school as part of the instructions of Randolph Macon College was taken up and passed.
On motion of Mr. Hopkins, the bill converting the interest in arrear due the State by the southside Railroad into stock of that company, was taken up and ordered to its engrossment.
Mr. Noland called up bill prohibiting the unnecessary consumption of grain in the distillation of liquors, which was read a third time and passed.
A communication was received from the Governor, accompanying a long letter from Francis H. Smith, Super intendant of the Virginia Military Institute, in reply to certain resolutions passed by the House of Delegates some days ago in relation to the treatment of Cadet Wm. A. Roberts. The letter appeared to be regarded by members as more verbose than convincing and the message and documents were referred to the Committee on Military Affairs and ordered to be printed.
The general Appropriation bill was, on motion of Mr. Barbour, called up, and, after further discussion and amendment, ordered to its engrossment.
The House refused to agree to the Senate's substitute for the House resolutions relative to impressment — ayes 77, noes 9.
On motion of Mr. Mallory, the bill amending the act authorizing the Upper Appomattox Company to enlarge their capital stock was taken up, read a second and third time and passed.
On motion of Mr. Jones, the bill to extend the time within which to institute prosecution in criminal cases in counties in the possession of the enemy was taken up and ordered to its engrossment.
Mr. Fleming moved to take up the bill providing for the election of county officers in certain cases. Agreed to and the bill passed.
On motion of Mr. Burks, the bill amending the Code so as to require railroad companies to receive all transportation by weight, and receipt for the same accordingly, war taken up and passed.
On motion of Mr. Richardson, Senate bill converting the Northwestern Bank of Virginia, at Jeffersonville, into a separate and independent bank was taken up, read a second and third time, and passed.
At 3 o'clock the chair was vacated until 7½ o'clock.
