House of Delegates.
Friday,March 1, 1861.
The
House was called to order at eleven o'clock, by the Speaker, and opened with prayer by
Rev. J. A.
Duncan, of the M. E.Church.
The Bank Relief Bill.--The
House were informed by
Mr. Anderson, of
Botetourt, that the 1st Auditor construed the provisions of the bill which passed yesterday as requiring the Banks to contribute specie to provide for the Sinking Fund, which would cause $500,000 in specie additional to be required.
Therefore, he asked the
House to request the Senate to return the bill for purposes of amendment.
The Bank bill was returned from the Senate, and
Mr. Anderson offered the following amendment to the 5th section: Provided that nothing in this section shall be construed to require the Banks of this Common wealth to contribute specie beyond the amount necessary to pay the interest on the public debt.
Mr. Keen moved to provide further that the Banks of this Common wealth shall, at their discretion, issue notes of a less denomination than five dollars, to an amount not exceeding ten per cent. on their capital; and provided, also, that no notes of such denomination shall be issued after the 1st of March, 1862; all laws enforcing the penalty for the issue of such notes is hereby suspended till such time.
On offering his amendment,
Mr. Keen said that he intended on yesterday to have offered the proposed amendment, but from the telegraphic manner in which this bill was hurried through the
House on yesterday, he was prevented from doing so. He had no idea of inflicting this
House with a speech upon the subject; it was a plain proposition, and spoke for itself — not only as a relief to the banks, but to the people.
Nor had he much idea that it would pass, judging from the temper of the
House on yesterday.
In reply to the gentleman from
Botetourt, that it made nonsense to the bill, he had only to say that this
House had assumed to itself long since the right to enact nonsense, and especially so in this bill.
He called the previous question on the bill.--The amendment was rejected — Ayes 9, noes 107.
Mr. Anderson's amendment was then adopted, and, on his motion, the bill was sent back to the Senate.
Afterwards, a message was received from the Senate, through
Mr. Brannon, that it had receded from their amendments, and agreed to the passage of the Bank bill as passed by the
House.
Bills Passed.--Amending the charter of Sir John's Run Turnpike Company; changing the time of holding the
Circuit Courts in the town of
Danville; authorizing the sale of
real estate belonging to Ebenezer Academy; incorporating the
Staunton Arms and Ordnance Department; for paying Virginia Commissioners to
President and seceding States; for the relief of
Geo. W. Tucker, of
Halifax co.
Resolutions.--The following resolutions of inquiry were offered: By
Mr. Hoffman, of refunding excess of merchants license improperly paid; by
Mr. Barbour, of relieving the
Sheriff of
Culpeper from certain fines, &c.; by
Mr. Richardson, of allowing two military companies in
Wheeling to form a battalion; by
Mr. McDowell, of changing the times of holding the Circuit Court in the 14th district; by
Mr. Johnson, of providing that suggestions may be sued out by and be returned before a Justice, &c.; by
Mr. Davis, of amending the law in reference to damages against Sheriffs; by
Mr. Ballard, of giving holders of land under patent an absolute title after ten years possession and paying taxes.
Bills Reported.--To provide for taking the sense of the voters of
Marshall county on opening and keeping in repair roads in said county; for the relief of
John Robinson, free negro, of
Buckingham county; for the relief of
James Walden, a free negro, of
Chesterfield county; to organize an additional Regiment of Volunteer Cavalry; amending and e-enacting the 13th section of an act passed March 30th, 1860, entitled, An act for the better organization of the militia of the Common wealth; concerning District Public Schools in the county of Ohio; Senate bills increasing the clerks in the
Auditor's office; for the relief of
D. S. Dickinson;
House bill for the relief of
C. Koles, late
Sheriff of
Raleigh county.
Adverse Report.--A report was returned adverse to the petition of
Wm. A. Thacker and others, asking to be refunded money improperly paid.
Petition.--
Mr. McDowell presented the petition of citizens of
Botetourt county, asking a change in the time of holding the Circuit Court of said county.
Special Committee.--A Special Committee was appointed, on motion of
Mr. Ross, to report a bill authorizing the trustees of the Methodist Church in
Salem,
Roanoke county, to sell and convey the same.
Referred.--Senate bill to legalize proceedings on Sunday, in certain cases, was referred to the Committee of Courts of Justice.
On motion, the
House took a recess till 7½ o'clock.
