General Assembly of Virginia.
Senate.
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 1862.
The Senate was called to order at 12 o'clock by
Lieut. Gov. Montague, and opened with prayer by
Bishop Early, of the
M. E. Church.
House message.
A message from the
House announced the passage of Senate bill entitled an act to amend the 5th section of chapter 13 of the Code, in relation to administering the oaths to be taken by the members of the two Houses of the General Assembly; and that it had agreed to a preamble and resolution in relation to
Judge E. P. Pitts, of the 5th Circuit, in which they respectfully ask the concurrence of the Senate.
The preamble and resolution provides that the General Assembly will, on the 25th March, proceed to depose said
Judge from his office, should the charges of disloyalty alleged against him be proved.
On motion of
Mr. Thomas, of
Fairfax, the matter was referred to the Committee of Courts of Justice.
Fraudulent Militia officers.
A message was received from the
Executive, which, after being read, was, on motion of
Mr. Brannon, referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs, and ordered to be printed.
The Governor transmits a communication from the
Paymaster General of the
Virginia forces, and others, relating to a gross fraud on the Treasury, committed by
Colonel John Snyder, of the 135th Regiment Virginia Militia; also, a similar performance enacted by
Col. A. C. Balley, of the 142d Regiment.
The Governor says that the
Attorney General has taken the necessary steps to have the parties arrested and brought to trial, and asks for authority to dismiss, summarily, all dishonest officers from the service.
‘"They can now only be reached through the tedious and expensive process of a court-martial, and before a result can be reached in this mode, months must elapse."’
I recommend that the
Executive be allowed to strike all dishonest officers from the rolls, reporting to the Senate his reasons for his action in each case.
I recommend, also, that as we have several men now holding commissions in the militia who are disloyal, that authority be given to the
Executive to strike their names from the rolls, and have their places supplied by new elections.
This I regard as exceedingly important, and request that early action shall be taken upon these questions.
Bills reported.
Mr. Alderson, by leave, introduced ‘"a bill to compensate
Thomas Reynolds for enrolling and mustering the militia of
Webster county."’
Mr. Robertson, of
Richmond, by leave, reported from a special committee ‘"a bill to authorize the
Governor to organize and call out certain military forces for the defence of the
State."’
Mr. Mann Spitler, by leave, introduced ‘"a bill to amend an act incorporating the
Shenandoah Cotton Manufacturing Company."’
Engrossed bills.
The bill authorizing certain cities and towns to issue notes of a less denomination than five dollars, was ordered to its engrossment; also, bill refunding to
Sutton and
Dozier a sum of money paid on erroneous assessment; also, bill authorizing the purchase for the
State of certain lots in Hollywood Cemetery.
Acceptance of volunteers.
The bill to authorize the
Governor of
Virginia to accept volunteers in companies or squadrons, was laid on the table.
Bills passed.
The following bills were read the requisite number of times and passed:
Senate bill to amend an act entitled ‘"An act to incorporate the American Agency,"’ passed March 29, 1861.
House bill to provide for the construction of a railroad connection between the
Orange and
Alexandria and Manassas Gap Railroads, and the
Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroads.
Ayes 27, noes 5.
Register's office.
The report of the joint committee to examine the
Register's office was laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
Commissioners in Chancery.
The report of the Committee of Courts of Justice, declaring it inexpedient to legislate on the subject of a resolution for increasing the fees of Commissioners in Chancery, was taken up and concurred in.
Progress of business.
The bill appropriating the public revenue for the fiscal years 1861, 1862, and 1863, reported from the Finance Committee, was read the first time and ordered to a second reading.
The bill authorizing the civil authorities of the
Commonwealth to render aid in arresting deserters from military service, was reported from the
Committee on Military Affairs, and read a first and ordered to a second reading.
The bill to amend and re-enact an ordinance of the Convention of Virginia, entitled ‘"An ordinance to authorize the county courts to make provision for the maintenance of the families of soldiers in the actual service of the
State or the
Confederate States, and for other purpose,"’ passed June 18, 1861, was advanced to a second reading.
The report of the Committee of Roads and Internal Navigation, adverse to legislation on the subject of a resolution to inquire into the expediency of providing for the speedy completion of the
Alexandria,
Loudoun and
Hampshire Railroad, or such part of it as is demanded by the military necessities of the country, was taken up, and, on motion of
Mr. Armstrong, was laid on the table.
Manufacture of Whiskey.
Mr. Thomas, of Henry, called up the bill ‘"to prevent the unnecessary consumption of grain by distillers and other manufacturers of spirituous and malt liquors."’ About two dozen amendments were offered, some of which were adopted.
In discussing the bill,
Mr. Christain, of
Augusta, said that he deprecated hasty action on this subject.
Important interests were involved.
Under the settled policy of this State, its citizens bad been induced to engage in this business, had paid the license fixed by the
State, and made heavy investments, relying for returns on the good faith of the
State.
This bill now coolly proposed to deny her citizens the benefit of the license for which she has pocketed the proceeds, and to confiscate to her own use the property invested on her pledged faith that it should be used for at least one year.
All concur in the desire to stop intemperance, if possible, but this bill by no means secures that end; it only forbids distillation from grain, and leaves the distilleries of fruit in full operation.
Besides, it does not prevent the importation of liquor from the adjoining States, and the only effect will be to flood our community with liquors from other States, and deprive this Commonwealth from the large revenue it is receiving from taxing liquors.
He moved to lay the bill upon the table.
Carried.
On motion, adjourned.
