The Legislature.
--In the
Senate, yesterday,
Mr. Dickinson, from the
Committee on Finance, reported a bill amending and re-enacting an act concerning the sinking fund, passed March 27, 1863-- which was taken up, read the first, and ordered to be read the second time.
Mr. Christian, of
Augusta, offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the
Committee for Courts of Justice inquire into the expediency of authorizing a sale of free negro convicts in the Penitentiary.
In the
House, the bill to amend the 11th section of the act passed March 30, 1863, for the production and distribution of salt, with Senate amendments, was taken up, and the several amendments of the Senate concurred in.
Mr. Bouldin, from the
Committee on Finance, reported back joint resolution to authorize the Second Auditor to receive the sum of $1,000,000 from the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, with a recommendation that it pass.
He reported adversely upon a resolution inquiring into the expediency of listing the property and profits of individuals, firms, &c., with a view to appropriate all profits made during the war to the payment of
Virginia's quota of the public debt.
Mr. Rutherfoord, from the
Committee on Courts of Justice, reported back a resolution in reference to the traffic in
gold and
silver, and in State currency, and asked its reference to the
Committee on Finance, which was agreed to.
Mr. Treadway submitted a preamble and resolutions recommending a council with the
President and
Secretary of War, with a view of ascertaining whether more men are desired for the Confederate army from the
State of Virginia; and upon the expediency, in that event, of supplying the deficiency with exempts, detailed men, and able-bodied men above the maximum conscript age; and of filling their places with disabled soldiers.
They were laid on the table.
The following resolutions of inquiry were offered: By
Mr. Tomlin: Of repealing the 55th section, 87th chapter of the Code, in relation to the production of tobacco, so as fully to protect the interests of the
Commonwealth.
By
Mr. Dyerle.
Of altering, limiting and amending the license laws of the
Commonwealth, so as to prevent county and corporation Courts from issuing licenses to improper persons.
By
Mr. Hall: Of inquiring what legislation is necessary to prevent lands from being forfeited for non-payment of taxes which have been, or may be in the hands of the enemy.
By
Mr. Woodley: Of prohibiting citizens or residents of the
State from crossing the lines of the enemy with a view of returning to their homes.
By
Mr. Hendrick: Of taxing notes, bonds and other securities for which the holders refuse to receive Confederate notes as so much gold at the market value.--By
Mr. Lynch: Of reporting a bill requiring magistrates and constables to report to the nearest military post all deserters and absentees from the army.
By
Mr. Woolfolk: As to the authority of the
Superintendent of salt to make regulations for the distribution of salt, giving preference to counties furnishing hands.
By
Mr. Melvin: Of releasing from the payment of all arrears counties overrun by the public enemy, and that said counties continue to be exempt so long as they are thus overrun.
By
Mr. Burr: Of increasing the allowance per diem of jurors in criminal cases.
By
Mr. Saunders: Of relieving notary publics from the tax imposed by an act of the last session.
The joint resolution to authorize the Second Auditor to receive one million of dollars from the Virginia and Tennessee railroad was then taken up and was under discussion when the
House adjourned.
