House of delegates.
Thursday, March 13th, 1862.
A minority report was submitted on the question as to what constitutes a constitutional majority, which was ordered to be printed.
Among a number of resolutions was one inquiring into the expediency of dispensing with the protest of bills and notes during the existing war. Joint resolutions were adopted, authorizing the Governor to accept Capt. Jno. C. Gregory's infantry company, raised in Halifax county, and appointing a joint committee to examine and revise the several acts passed by the General Assembly, in relation to organizing and bringing into the field the military forces of Virginia.
Mr. Bouldin, from the Joint Committee on Exemption, made a partial report, in which it is recommended that the Governor be authorized and required to exempt from the operation of his Proclamation of the 11th instant all persons who may be certified to him by the War or Navy Department, to be necessary to the work of the Government of the Confederate States provided, however, that no such person shall thereby be exempt from draft under the act of February 10, 1862. Resolution adopted and sent to the Senate.
A message was received from the Senate announcing the concurrence of that body in the foregoing resolution, and requesting that it be sent forthwith to the Governor.
Also, that that body had agreed to a joint resolution, authorizing the Governor to receive into service a light infantry company from Halifax county.
Also, that the Senate had passed a joint resolution authorizing the Governor to receive volunteer companies from counties which have furnished their quota to the requisition of the Confederate States, and asking the concurrence of the House therein.
A communication was received announcing the death of Wm. A. Moncure, Esq., late Second Auditor.
Also, a communication covering letters from the Treasurer of the State and certain Bank officers of this city, demonstrating against the effects of the late Proclamation calling out the whole militia, and recommending that the Governor be clothed with authority to make certain exemptions.
The communication and accompanying papers were referred to the Committee on Exemptions.
Mr. Bouldin, from the Joint Committee on Exemptions, submitted a further and concluding report from that committee, giving the Board of Exemptions, already appointed and to be appointed, under the late Proclamation, at the different rendezvous designated therein, the power of deciding on the cases of exemption specified in the second resolution.
Agreed to.
The second resolution, exempts employees of railroads, canal and telegraph companies, on certificate of the respective Presidents of these companies; an editor and assistant editor of newspapers, and on the certificate of the editor or proprietor, of a sufficient jumber of employees to conduct a daily newspaper.
The first of exemptions was quite nengthy, and was deemed necessary by the joint committee in barely keeping alive the various industrial, mechanical, and agricultural pursuits to which it related.
An amendment was offered by Mr. Bankerville, and after a lengthy discussion, in which cotton, wool, leather, iron, &c., were severally represented, the ayes and nays were ordered, resulting in ayes 24, nays 48--no quorum voting.
Mr. Mallory moved a call of the House, which was supported by Mr. Saunders, of Campbell.
Mr. Cazenove would vote for a call of the House, were it not for his experience the last time it was attempted.
Mr. Edmunds deplored the absence of members at such times as these, and moved that the bell be tolled.
This was accordingly ordered and executed; when,
On motion of Mr. Beadford, the House adjourned, the vote being ayes 42, nays 33. 