General Assembly of Virginia.
Senate.
Wednesday, March 12, 1862.
Opened at 12 o'clock. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Baker.
The Senate adopted the joint resolution relative to Col. Wm. J. Willey, and the resolution calling on the Governor for the names of disloyal officers of the militia; also, the resolution to discharge the Committee on Finance from the consideration of the expediency of making an appropriation to meet the claims of persons whose property has been taken for public use. The resolution to repeal the act requiring Commissioners of the Revenue to furnish blank forms for listing the property of tax-payers, reported on as inexpedient, was taken up and agreed to. The bill to provide for the payment of interest to loyal citizens on certain bonds guaranteed by the Commonwealth, was passed; also, bill to authorize the reorganization of the Culpeper Minute Men and the Culpeper rifles; a substitute was reported for the bill to prohibit the emancipation of slaves by will; the bill authorizing the recovery of money stolen from the Exchange Bank at Weston was reported with amendments; the bill to extend the time for the exercise of certain civil rights and remedies was laid on the table; the report of the joint committee on public Library was presented, and with accompanying documents ordered to be printed.
The further time of the Senate to the hour of adjournment was chiefly taken up in the consideration of local bills.
Prior to the hour of adjournment a resolution relative to exemption from military service passed by the House was communicated.
House of delegates.
Wednesday, March 12, 1862.
The subject of military exemptions for purposes indispensable to war and peace, was yesterday brought to the attention of the House by Mr. Buford, who moved the appointment of a joint committee of five of the House and three of the Senate, charged with the duty of inquiring into the subject and reporting such legislation as may be necessary, owing to the recent proclamation of the Governor.
To this resolution, Mr. Hunter offered a substitute, in the form of a joint resolution, authorizing the Governor to detail for such specific duties as the exigencies of the war may require, the necessary number of persons for such duties,--which was opposed by Messrs. Collier, Buford, Cazenove, Bouldin, Robertson and others.
Mr. Hunter, in his rejoinder, explained the difference between "exempting" and "detailing," finally withdrawing his substitute.
The question then recurring on the original resolution, it was carried.
A resolution to instruct the Military Committee to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill authorizing the Governor to detail such persons as are now, or may be hereafter, engaged in the manufacture of lead, iron and saltpetre, was taken up and adopted.
The bill providing for the issue by cities, towns and counties, of notes of and under one dollar, was discussed in opposition by Messrs. Bass and Collier, and by Messrs. Robertson, James, and Cazenove in favor of the bill.
Mr. McDonald moved to recommit, so as to modify the bill and allow the Banks of circulation throughout the Commonwealth, heretofore chartered by the General Assembly, to issue notes of and under the denomination of $1, amounting in the aggregate to $1,500,000, instead of cities, counties and towns.
The motion to recommit was on a division, and count agreed to.
After which, the House adjourned. 