House of Delegates.
Friday, Feb. 15, 1861.
The Speaker called the House to order at 12 o'clock M
The passage of a number of bills by the Senate was communicated to the House in a message from that body.
Senate Bills Passed.--Amending an act incorporating the Farmville and Buckingham Plank-Road Company; amending an act transferring a part of the Price Mountain and Cumberland Gap Road to the Mountain Lake and Salt Sulphur Spring Turnpike Company.
Bills Reported.--The following bills were reported from committees: Incorporating the town of Asbury; incorporating the Staunton Armory and Ordnance Company; amending an act incorporating a company to construct a railroad on the plan of J. S. French between Alexandria and Washington; incorporating the trans-Alleghany Railroad Company; Senate bill staying proceedings in trust deeds in cases where notes will not be received in payment of debt; authorizing the Governor to pardon a negro slave, Tom; amending the 36th section, chapter 38, of the Code; providing for summoning jurors in the Hustings and Circuit Courts of the town of Lynchburg; incorporating the Staffordsville Toll-Bridge Company; refunding a certain sum of money to Hugh H. Hite; incorporating the Home Savings Bank and Aid Savings Bank, of the city of Richmond.
Resolutions of Inquiry into Expediency.--By Mr. Dickinson, of amending the 4th section of chapter 141 of the Code, so as to allow a greater rate of interest than 6 per cent. by special contract; by Mr. Sager, of allowing to Henry Exall his claim for furnishing a plan of alteration in the Hall of the House of Delegates; by Mr. Davis, of changing existing law for the repair of bridges and roads in the counties of Brooke and Hancock; by Mr. Mallory, of refunding a certain sum of money to Jos. W. Harper, of Dinwiddie; by Mr. Nelson, of allowing commissions and remitting damages to the Sheriff of Fluvanna; by Mr. Friend, of amending the 29th section of chapter 184 of the Code of 1849; by Mr. Miller, of S., of refunding to David Kipps taxes erroneously paid; by Mr. Duckwall, of so changing the present law prescribing punishment for petit larceny, as to authorize Courts and juries to sentence such convicts to labor on the public works; by Mr. Haymond, of providing by law that writs shall hereafter be made returnable to quarterly Courts, instead of monthly rules.
Petitions.--The following petitions were presented and referred; By Mr. Baily, the petition of citizens of McDowell county in relation to the removal of the Court-House of said county; by Mr. Bessel, the petition of citizens of Upshur county, asking to have refunded certain sums of money by them erroneously paid; also, by same, petition of citizens of the same county, asking the passage of a stay law; by Mr. Alderson, for the formation of a new county out of parts of Greenbrier, Fayette and Nicholas; by Mr. Harrison, of citizens of Rockingham county, for the relief of John Robinson.
The Covington and Ohio Railroad.--A bill for the suspension of the sale of State bonds, and to provide for the completion of the contracts lately made on the Covington and Ohio Railroad, came up on its second reading.
Mr. Caperton hoped the bill would be read the requisite number of times and ordered to be engrossed.
Mr. McKenzie offered an amendment.
He moved to strike out the words ‘"but no new or additional subscriptions shall be made to any joint stock company." ’ He did not wish to embarrass the friends of the bill.
The contractors thought they would be relieved if they received half a million in Treasury notes rather than State stock.
It was necessary that the work should be completed at least as far as the White Sulphur Springs.--The contractors had no agency in bringing about the present state of public affairs.
A gloom had been cast over Virginia, and the whole Union, by the political troubles of the day. He hoped daylight was ahead, and that the Commonwealth would soon be relieved of these troubles, and that a speedy restoration would take place, providing our hopes from the efforts of the Peace Congress prevailed.--This being so, he predicted a rapid advance in State securities, but until then it was proper to pass this bill.
At the same time, it was just to-other works that they should not be suspended until 1st December next.
Mr. Haymond opposed the striking out. Mr. Rivers moved the indefinite postponement of the bill.
Mr. Caperton fully showed the advantage that would result from the passage of the bill, and, on motion of Mr. Martin, of Henry, the bill was laid on the table, to be called up to-morrow, to enable the friends of other works to suggest such amendments as might satisfy all parties interested.
James River and Kanawha Canal.--The House proceeded to consider, on motion of Mr. Hunt, the following resolution offered by him on the 7th inst., at that time laid on the table.
Resolved, That the Committee of Roads and Internal Navigation be requested to lay before this House such proof, if any, of the ability of the firm of Bellet dee Minieres & Co, to execute their
contract made in August last, for the purchase and completion of the James River and Kanawha Canal.
Mr. Baskerville hoped the resolution would be withdrawn.
The Committee of Roads and Navigation had the matter in hand, and he urged that their report should be waited for.
Mr. Chapman, Chairman of the Committee, said, that when the resolution was offered some time since, he was opposed to its adoption, but that he was satisfied, from the multitude of inquiries poured into the committee, that the information should be given.
He believed the testimony before the committee not only showed the entire ability of the Association of French capitalists, who had undertaken the work, to carry it through, but that it was probably one of the most powerful financial organizations in the world, and that one hundred millions of dollars would not compass their capacity.
Mr. Bisbie, of the same committee, expressed the same confidence in the capacity of the French Company, and urged the adoption of the resolution.
He believed the joint committee of the two Houses were unanimously of the same opinion.
After further explanation, it was adopted.
On motion, the House adjourned. 