General Assembly of Virginia.
Bills Passed.--The act to incorporate the Old Dominion Trading Company of Richmond. A bill to prescribe the mode of ascertaining and certifying the election of Delegates and Senators to the General Assembly of Virginia.
The following bills were indefinitely posponed, which disposal, on the heel of the session, is equivalent to a defeat: To provide for voting in camps and else where at the next State election. Bill to amend the act transferring the State troops and Rangers to the Confederate Government. A bill to amend an act to refund money received for exemption from military duty.
A number of bills were tabled for various reasons and a number advanced to a second reading and engrossment.
The General Appropriation bill was passed without material change or amendment, being substantially, in most particulars, similar to the appropriation bills of other years.
The joint resolutions on Confederate taxation were taken up and laid on the table.
The bill to organize Home Guards throughout the counties, towns, and corporations of the State, was rejected, the ground of objection being that the military duties of the country people would detract from agricultural pursuits, Where upon,
Mr. Robertson moved, by joint resolution, authorizing the various counties, cities and towns to organize a police or Home Guard from their male population over 45 years, and under 12 the expense thereof to be provided for by a county, city, or town levy. Laid over under the rules.
Mr. Robertson, from the Committee on Confederate Relation, submitted a report, which was not read, but laid on the table and ordered to be printed. It was understood the committee report adversely to the power of the Confederate Government to confiscate or sequestrate the property of alien enemies within Virginia.
Mr. Christian asked leave to introduce a bill to amend and re-enact section 3d of an act passed May 14, 1863, entitled an act to organize a Home Guard. Leave was granted and the bill introduced.
At this stage of the proceedings, 1 o'clock, there was a lull in the business of the body, and on motion of Mr. Christian the Senate adjourned to 10 o'clock Thursday morning.
House of Delegates.--The House met at 10 o'clock.
The Senate bill defining citizenship, was taken up, read a second time, and committed.
Senate amendment to bill converting the interest due the state by the South-Side Railroad into stock of that company, was concurred in.
The resolutions heretofore considered by the two Houses in secret session, relative to a transfer to the Confederate Government of the State prisoners now confined in the Penitentiary of this State as hostages for Col. Zarvons and others confined in the District Penitentiary at Washington, was taken up. The House had passed a substitute for the Senate resolution, in which the latter body refused to concur. The House insisted upon its substitute and the whole matter was referred to a committee of conference.
During the discussion of the subject, Mr. Newton state that the Governor had declared that there was no power on earth to compel him to transfer the prisoners confined by him, and that he would hold them and hang them if those for whom they are held were not given up.
On motion of Mr. Barbour, the further consideration of the Tax bill was resumed.
Evening Session.--The House met at 8 o'clock.
Mr. McDamant submitted a resolution which was unanimously agreed to, respectfully requesting the member from Roanoke, Mr. Bass the newly elected Superintendent of the Penitentiary, to deter his acceptance of that position until after the close of the present session.
The business under consideration at the hour of recess — the Tax bill — was taken up and considered until the hour of adjournment, at 10 o'clock.
