House of Delegates.
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1862.
The House met at 12 o'clock M. No clergyman present.
The Senate bill to protect loyal citizens whose property may be sold by officers under a legal process, was reported by the Clerk and ordered to be committed.
The Clerk read a communication from the Governor, enclosing the semi annual report of Brevet- Major F. H. Smith, Superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, to the Board of Visitors.
Laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
Mr. Anderson, of Botetourt, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported a bill to reorganize the 17th and 28th brigades Virginia militia.
Mr. Newton, from the Committee on Finance, made an adverse report to the claim of Francis Sutler, Sheriff of Campbell count.
Mr. Lynn endeavored to call up the bill to release the securities of Thomas K. Davis; but the House refused to consider the bill.
On motion of Mr. Robertson, of Richmond, the bill amending section 2d of chapter 22d of the Code, respecting persons exempt from military duty, was ordered to be re- committed, and leave was given to the committee to sit during the session of the House.
Mr. Blue offered a resolution that, with the concurrence of the Senate, the House will proceed, on Thursday, the 20th inst., to the election of a Secretary of the Commonwealth, a Treasurer, an Auditor of Public Accounts, a Second Auditor, a Register of the Land Office, a Public Printer, a Superintendent of the Penitentiary, and a General Agent and Stoorkeeper of the Penitentiary.
On motion of Mr. Bass, the resolution was laid on the table.
On motion of Mr. Montagur, the committee to investigate the alleged frauds in the Penitentiary were empowered to send for persons and papers.
Mr. Tomdin offered a resolution that the Governor be requested to ask the President of the Confederate States to discharge any part of the Virginia militia not now absolutely required by the public service.
Mr. Forbes offered a substitute to the resolution, in which the language was somewhat ‘"softened,"’ which was adopted.
On motion of Mr. Lockride, the bill proviting for the organization of ten companies of rangers was ordered to its engrossment.
Mr. Woodson offered the following resolutions: ‘
Resolved, by the General Assembly, That our Representatives in Congress be instructed to use their best efforts to procure the passage of a law by Congress reducing the pay of the officers of the army, especially of the Quartermaster's. Commissary and Surgical Departments, and increasing the pay of the privates, so as to reduce, as far as practicable, the expenses of the war consistently with its successful prosecution.
Resolved, That we hereby pledge the faith of the State to an increase of the pay of the private soldiers in this war; and if Congress shall fail to provide for such increase, the General Assembly of Virginia pledges itself to do so.
Objection being made to the resolutions, they laid over a day under the rule. ’
The following resolution of inquiry into expediency was referred to the appropriate commitee: ‘
By Mr. McKenney--Of furnishing horses to those who volunteer in the cavalry service of the State, retaining the 40 cents per diem until the purchase money is refunded.
On motion of Mr. Crockett, the House took up the report of the joint committee appointed to confer with the lesses of the salt works in Washington and Smythe counties.
After remarks by Messrs. Crockett and Baskervill, the subject was laid on the table.
Mr. Woodson made an ineffectual effort to call up the question of filling the vacancies in the General Assembly from Northwestern Virginia. ’
The following bills were passed:
An act to amend section 14 of chapter 163 of the Gode, relative to the removal of records and papers of courts.
An act concerning Treasury notes.
The House then adjourned. 