General Assembly of Virginia.
Tuesday, January 13, 1863.
Senate--The Senate was called to order at 12 o'clock M by the
Lieutenant Governor, and opened with prayer by
Rev. Mr. Burrows, of the 1st Baptist Church.
The Senate were notified that the
House had agreed to Senate joint resolution relative to the procurement of passports for members by the
Governor; also, of the passage of an act for the relief of the
Sergeant of the city of
Richmond.
Mr. Conhilli presented the memorized of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad Company, praying for the modification or repeal of the 5th section of an act on the 28th of March, 1858 authorizing a loan to the company, so as to authorize the Beard of Public Works to adjust and regulate in the event of disagreement between the companies the terms on which the Central railroad from
Gordonsville to
Charlottesville shall be used by said Central and Orange and Alexandria Railroad Company.
Mr. Conhill presented the report of the
Committee for Courts of Justice on so much of the
Governor's message as relates to the "act concerning slaves for work on fortifications." Report accepted and committee discharged.
Resolutions of inquiry into expediency were offered as follows:
By
Mr. Isbell, of reporting a bill limiting the cultivation of tobacco; by
Mr. Spitler, of repealing so much of the militia laws of the
State as requires the election of 2d
Major; by
Mr. Newman, of releasing B'F Stevinson from all liability incurred as security for
Wm. Hatcher, the traitorous Clerk of
Wood county.
The act to refund money paid the
State in cases of religions serapes for exemption from military service was taken up, read the requisite number of times and passed.
A petition asking for an increase of fees of office was presented on the part of the clerks of courts in
Petersburg,
Surry and Prince George.
A manorial was presented from the stockholders of the South side Railroad asking that the arrears of interest due by it to the
State be converted into stock of the road, so as to enable said road to change its line, in pursuant of the act passed Jan. 26th, 1862. A resolution to inquire into the expediency of the proposition was adopted.
On motion of
Mr. Hart, of
Albemarle:
Resolved, that the
Secretary of the Common wealth, the
Auditor of Public Accounts, the Second Auditor, the
Treasurer, the Register of the Land Office, the
Secretary of Board of Public Works, and the
Adjutant General, be requested to inform the Senate the amount of compensation received by them respectively, from all sources, and of the clerks of each of their offices.
On motion of
Mr. Carson:
Resolved, That the
Governor he requested to communicate to the Senate the names, rank and pay of the several officers and employees of the Ordnance Department of
Virginia.
The Senate were notified that the House of Delegates had agreed to a joint resolution postponing the election of Confederate
Senator till Tuesday, January 20th.
The Senate refused to postpone the election; eyes 15, 24, and
Mr. Johnson, of
Bedford was requested to communicate the information to the
House.
After the lapse of an hour, a message, was received, stating the readiness of the
House to proceed with the execution of the joint order.
The Senate awaited the action of the
House till 2½ o'clock, when a message was received that the
House had postponed the execution of the joint order till 12 ½ o'clock Wednesday.
The Senate concurred in the postponement.
Adjourned.
House of Delegates--The
House met at 12 o'clock M, and was opened with prayer by
Rev. Dr. Duncan.
A taint resolution was received from the Senate authorizing the
Governor to inquire what number, if any of the citizens of this Commonwealth have been arrested by the enemy; and if so, for what cause, and how confined.
Referred to the
Committee on Courts of Justices.
Mr. Rives his resolution of yesterday, so amending the 26th rule of the
House as to authorize the speaker to appoint a Special Committee on Confederates Relations.
Passed.
At half past twelve o'clock the resolution for the of
Confederate States Senator was called up.
Mr. Dunn moved to postpone the election until Tuesday, the 20th last.
This gave rise to a debate, which was participated in by
Messrs Richardson and
Rives in its favor, and opposed by
Messrs West,
Barbour,
Newton, and
Bisgerville.
Mr. Maticry demanded the eyes and nays which being called, resulted: eyes, 53; nays, 49.
A message was received from the Senate announcing the non concurrence by that body in the
House resolution for postponement.
Mr. Woolfolk then offered a joint resolution, making known to the Senate their readiness to pressed at once to the election of a Senator.
Another Reffentual attempt was made to postpone the election until Saturday, but after some tery discussion the
House proceeded to the confederation of the joint order, when.
Mr. McDonald moved that the
House adjourn, upon which the eyes and nays were demanded and resulted in the negative eyes 18, nays 83.
Fomiactions for Senator.--air.
Anderson, of
Rockbridge put in nomination
the Hon. Wm. C. Rives, which was ascended by
Messrs. Prince, Mag
Rives, and
Staples.
Mr. Anderson, of
Botetourt, nominated
Judge John J. Allen.
Mr. Green, of
Jefferson, presented the name of Hon,
Chas.
W
Russell Wheeling, which was accorded by
Messrs, Edmund and Lairdly.
Mr. Wynne nominated
Gen. John B
Floyd, each gentleman taking occasion to pay an appropriate to the candidate of his choice.
It's being found impossible to conclude the election today, its further consideration, was on motion, postponed until 15½ P. M. to-morrow, and, at 4½ o'clock, the
House adjourned.
