House of Delegates.
Wednesday, Dec. 4.
The
House met at 12 o'clock, M. Prayer by Rev
Dr. Converse.
The Speaker stated that in consequence of the unusual number of new members present, and the novel fact that a portion of the
State is unrepresented, the labor of forming the committees has been greater than anticipated.
He mentioned the matter to the
House to explain why he could not announce the committees this day.
A communication from the Virginia Convention was presented giving information of the passage of an ordinance by that body, empowering the Senate and House to elect members from counties and districts where the inhabitants are denied the privilege of an election by reason of the presence of the enemy.
On motion of
Mr. Wilson, received, laid on the table, and ordered to be printed.
Petition.
Mr. George presented a petition from citizens of
McDowell county, praying for the better defining of the boundaries of said county, which was formed out of parts of the counties of
Tazewell and
Wyoming.
Referred.
Passage of the bill Relative to Negro convicts.
The
House then passed the bill presented by
Mr.Anderson, providing for the hiring of negro convicts to the manufacturers of iron, when engaged in casting war material for the
Confederacy and State.
The bill was sent to the Senate.
Resolutions of inquiry.
The following resolutions of inquiry were referred to the appropriate committees: By
Mr. Spady, of Alleviating the taxation upon the invaded but loyal counties of the
Commonwealth; by
Mr. Kaufman, of extending the Railroad from
Winchester to
Strasburg; by
Mr. Grattan, of Amending acts concerning impressments by military authority; by
Mr. Lynn, or connecting the
Richmond,
Petersburg and Fredericksburg Railroads with the Manassas Gap Railroad; by
Mr. Baskerville, of hiring the
Salt Works, in
Smyth and
Washington counties, for the use of the
State.
On motion, the
House then adjourned.
