House of delegates.
The
House met at 12 M. The Speaker in the chair.
Prayer by
Rev. Mr. Peterkin, of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Reports from committees.
Mr. Anderson, from Committee on Military Affairs, reported a bill to suspend the operations of an ordinance passed by the late Convention organizing the militia.
A communication from the
Governor, transmitting the annual report of the Board of Visitors to the Virginia Military Institute for the year terminating on the 1st of July last, was received.
A communication from the
Governor, accompanying the report, urged upon the
House the propriety of making additional appropriations for the benefit of the Virginia Military Institute, was also received.
Both documents were laid upon the table and ordered to be printed.
The militia bill.
The bill reported by
Mr. Anderson, of
Botetourt, suspending the operations of the militia ordinance until February 10th, was taken up.
Mr. Collier said the
Governor had taken upon himself the responsibility of not enforcing the ordinance for three weeks past, and he thought he might continue so to do with equal propriety.
The
House was too slim to justify action on the bill at present.
Mr. Jones urged the importance of immediate action on the bill.
For want of a constitutional majority present, the bill could not pass to its second reading, and was passed over.
Election of Senators.
The Senate amendment to the
House resolution, fixing the 22d of January as the day of electing
Senators to the Confederate Congress, in lieu of the 9th of January, as proposed by the
House, was agreed to.
The report of the committee appointed to confer with the Smyth and Washington Salt Works was received.
The report states that a correspondence had been opened agreeable to instructions, and in furtherance of their object the committee asked a delegation be appointed to visit the
Salt Works in question.--Accompanying the report was a joint resolution passed by the Senate, authorizing the appointment of the delegation asked for. The question being on concurring in the joint resolution a debate sprang up thereon, in which
Mr. Prince,
Robertson, and others, participated.
The resolution was concurred in.
The Senate amendment to the
House resolution appointing a Committee to make arrangements for the accommodation of the Confederate Congress, authorizing the
Governor to attend to the matter, was taken up. Concurred to.
Mr. Hunter offered a resolution directing e Speaker to issue writs of election to fill vacancies from counties not represented in the
House.
Mr. Anderson, of
Botetourt, favored the measure.
It was just and proper the citizens of the unrepresented districts should have an opportunity afforded them of sending delegates to the
House.
He was reliably informed that at a late election held in those districts, on the question of the partition of the
State, three to one voted against it. We should also do all in our power to protect and encourage the large class of loyal people in the sections referred to.
Mr. Collier opposed the measure.
He was willing to adopt the more summary method of filling the vacancies by the
House.
The plan of holding elections in camps was improper and unconstitutional.
Mr. Anderson, of
Botetourt, said the resolution said nothing about the mode of election.
Mr. Collier said there were citizens in the unrepresented districts not in the camps, and there was no provision under the ordinance of the
Convention authorizing these citizens to vote out of camps.
Several members suggested that
Mr. C. had better examine the ordinance.
Mr. Collier said that as none who ought to be informed seemed to know anything about the question, he would withdraw his opposition to the measure.
Mr. Grattan moved to amend by providing that said elections be held at the place of voting in the manner and under the forms now prescribed by law and the
Constitution.
A division was called for, but a quorum was not present.
A motion was made to adjourn, but was defeated, a division being ordered.
The
House was rapidly coming to a dead lock, when a call was demanded, which being refused, a motion was made and the
House adjourned to meet on the 6th day of January, 1862.
