The Legislature.
--In the
Senate Mr. Coghill, from the Committee of Courts of Justice, reported a bill to suppress gaming in the
Commonwealth.
Also, reported back, with amendments, the bill to further provide for the public defence.
The bill to require railroad and canal companies to transport troops and munitions of war, without the right to demand pay in advance, was passed.
Mr. Randolph, from the Military Committee, reported a bill to authorize the arrest of deserters by the civil authorities, which was ordered to a second reading.
Mr. Collier called up a resolution in reference to slavery in the
Confederate States, introduced by him in May, 1863. and discussed it at length.
It was referred to the
Committee on Confederate Relations.
In the
House the Senate bill entitled "An act declaring what contracts shall be payable in currency," was read a first and second times and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
Senate bill to abolish the
Auditing Board, and to provide for the settlement of all claims remaining unsettled by said board, was also read a first and second times and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
Senate bill to authorize the transfer of causes from Courts which cannot be held by reason of the presence of the public enemy to other Circuit Courts not so situated, was referred to the Committee of Courts of Justice.
Mr. Rutherfoord, from the Committee of Courts of Justice, presented the following bills:
A bill to provide for the trial of persons charged with offences committed in counties in the possession of the enemy, or threatened with immediate invasion, which was read a first time and ordered to its second reading; a bill amending the first section of the third chapter of the Code of
Virginia, defining citizenship.
Mr. Robertson, from the
Committee on Confederate Relations, to whom had been referred a resolution in relation to the purchase of
real estate by certain persons, presented a report, asking to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject, and that the same be referred to the Committee of Courts of Justice, which was agreed to.
Mr. Haymond, from the
Committee on the Penitentiary, presented the following bill:
A bill to provide for the sale of certain slaves now in the penitentiary, which was read the first time and ordered to its second reading.
Mr. Johnson, from the
Committee on Agriculture and Manufactures, presented a bill for the protection of sheep and to increase the growth of wool.
Mr. Baker, from the
Joint Committee on the Library, presented a report, which, on his motion, was laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
The bill for the relief of the indigent soldiers of the
State of Virginia who have been, or may be, disabled in the military service, and the widows and minor children of soldiers who have died, or may hereafter die, in same service, and of the indigent families of those now in service, was taken up on motion of
Mr. Shackelford and read a second time.
The bill was then amended, and afterwards made the order of the day for Monday next.
The following resolution was submitted by
Mr. Deane: That the
Committee on the Penitentiary inquire into the expediency of hiring the male free negroes in the penitentiary to colliers in the counties of
Goochland,
Powhatan, and
Chesterfield.
The hour having arrived for the consideration of the order of the day, that bill was taken up, and its consideration continued until the hour of adjournment.
