House of Delegates.
The
House met at 12 o'clock M.,
Mr. Collier, or
Petersburg, in the Chair.
Prayer by
Rev. Dr. Moore.
The
House agreed to the Senate's amendment to the bill constituting
New River a lawful fence; also to the joint resolutions passed by the Senate relative to the defence of
Western Virginia, and avowing the determination of the
Commonwealth to retain its jurisdiction over that section.
A bill for the relief of
John Otis, late jailor of
Jefferson county, was reported from the
Committee on Claims.
Mr. Anderson, of
Botetourt, from the
Committee on Military Affairs, reported the following bill.
"An act to amend and re-enact an ordinance to provide for the enrollment and employment of free negroes in the public service, passed by the
Convention July 1, 1861."
Mr. Barboun, from the
Committee on Finance, reported a bill to authorize the transfer of certain bonds of the
State held in trust by the
Government of the
United States for certain Indian tribes, and providing for the payment of interest thereon.
Also, an adverse report as to the expediency of refunding to Rudu and
Gresham, of
Chesterfield county, a license tax.
Also, an adverse report as to the expediency of refunding damages paid by sureties of
R. W. Gill,
Sheriff of
Chesterfield.
Mr. Newton's joint resolutions, enlogizing the Virginia Volunteers, and inviting them to re-enlist for the war, (having been slightly modified,) were read by the
Clerk, and the same adopted.
On motion of
Mr. Buford, the bill providing for the construction of a railroad connection between the
Orange and
Alexandria and Manassas Gap Railroads and the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad was taken up.
Messrs. Buford and
Lynn strongly urged the passage of the bill as a means for properly defending our military lines on the
Potomac.
It was then passed without opposition.
The following resolutions of inquiry were referred to the appropriate committees:
By
Mr. Baker: Of so amending the criminal laws of the
Commonwealth as to provide for the punishment of slaves and free negroes for offences which, if committed by a white person, would be treason, or of a treasonable and disloyal character.
By
Mr. Ward: Of so amending the existing law as to provide that fiduciaries shall not forfeit their commissions for failure to settle their accounts within the time now required by law.
By
Mr. Sheffey: Of amending the 52d, 53d, and 54th sections of chapter 61 of the Code of 1860.
One o'clock having arrived, the
House took up the order of the day, which was the bill providing for filling the vacancies in the Senate from the 45th and 80th districts.
The bill underwent several amendments.
On motion of
Mr. Baskerville, the bill, with pending amendments, was laid on the table.
Mr. Baskerville then moved to take up the resolutions (laid on the table some days ago) providing for the
House to proceed to the filling of vacancies in its own body, caused by the occupation of a part of the
Commonwealth by the public enemy, which was carried.
After the
Clerk had read the resolutions,
Mr. Harrison moved that they be postponed indefinitely.
A long discussion ensued.
Mr. Rutherfoord argued that the late Convention had the right to provide for the filling of vacancies in the
House.
He was of the opinion, however, that no exigency had yet arrived to justify the
House to avail itself of the privilege.
He was followed by
Messrs. Grattan,
Spady,
Dabney, and
Rives, in opposition to the proposed action of the Legislature, and
Messrs. Anderson of
Botetourt,
Richardson, and
Burks, in favor of filling the vacancies from
Western Virginia.
Without taking a vote the
House, on motion of
Mr. Baskerville, adjourned.
