House of Delegates.
Monday,March 4, 1861.
The
House was called to order at eleven o'clock, by
Speaker Crutchfield.
Prayer by
Rev. Mr. Moreman, of the Methodist Church.
The Clerk read a notice from the Senate, to the effect that that body had passed a number of bills, most of which were referred to committees.
A bill was reported to amend the 15th section of an act "for the better organization of the militia of the
Commonwealth."
Mr. Jones, of
Appomattox, moved to take up a resolution offered by him a few days since, which had been laid on the table at the time, on his motion.
The resolution proposed that when the
House adjourns on the 5th inst., it adjourn (with the consent of the Senate)
sine die. Mr. Jones desired to take up the resolution that he might substitute the 11th for the 5th inst.
Mr. Martin, of Henry, asked the gentleman to withdraw his motion, promising that he would call it up to-morrow.
Mr. Jones said he had no objection to the withdrawal.
He expected to adjourn himself to-morrow, and consequently felt but little personal interest in the subject.
The
House refused to take up the resolution.
The bill imposing taxes for the support of Government, was taken up, on motion of
Mr. Haymond, who proposed an amendment to the 8th section.
Pending a discussion of this and other amendments, the bill was made the order of the day for to-morrow at 12 o'clock.
Death of Judge Hopkins.--
Mr. Crump said:
‘
Mr. Speaker, it is my painful duty to announce to this
House the death of
Judge Hopkins, of the county of
Washington.
I will not attempt a eulogy upon the character of the deceased, but merely to give a slight rehearsal of his historical record.
Judge Hopkins was born in
Goochland county, on the 22d day of February, 1805, and was, in consequence of his birth-day, named
George Washington.
At the early age of sixteen he was deprived of his parents, and cast upon the world to shape his own fortune.
He removed to the far
West, as
Washington county was then considered, in 1820.
He remained there until the year 1825, in which year he removed to
Russell county, where he taught school. --Here he read law under
Dale Carter.
In 1833 he was elected to the House of Delegates.
In 1835 he was sent to Congress, where he served six terms in succession.
In 1847 he was appointed Minister to
Portugal by
Mr. Polk.
In 1849 he returned, and was elected to the House of Delegates from
Washington county, and was also chosen a member of the State Convention which sat in 1850.
Being elected Speaker of the
House, he resigned his position as a member of the
Convention.
In 1852 he was elected
Judge of his Circuit Court.
In 1853 he was tendered the office of Presiding Judge of the U. S. District Court at
Washington, D. C., an office he declined.
In 1856 he resigned his Judgeship, and was again elected to Congress.
In 1859 he was again chosen a member of this body, in which he continued up to the hour of his decease.
It will be seen that during his life he occupied many positions of honor and emolument, from all of which he has forever retired, and, proudly be it said, with his hands clean from public plunder.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that the resolutions be read.
’
The Clerk then read the following resolutions:
‘
The painful intelligence of the death of
George W. Hopkins, one of the
Delegates from the county of
Washington, having been just announced, it becomes the mournful duty of the House of Delegates to enter the fact upon their Journal.
’
The long and useful life of the deceased, his high talents, kind, conciliatory, and courteous deportment, his warm heart and sincere friendship, united with his efficient public services, both at home and abroad, render this mark of respect peculiarly proper.
In all the situations in which he has been placed during his useful career, he has won the esteem and respect of his constituents and of the
State.--As member and Speaker of the House of Delegates on former occasions, as
Judge of the Circuit Court of this State, as member of the House of Representatives of the
United States, as Charge d' Affairs to the Court of Portugal, and as a member of the
Convention which framed the present Constitution of this Commonwealth, he discharged his varied duties with marked ability.
As a member of this House at the last and at its present sessions, he has won the esteem and friendship of his brother members, and his sudden death is a source of deep affliction to all.
Resolved, As a mark of respect not less due than willingly paid, that this House and its officers will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days.
Resolved. That the
Speaker of this
House communicate a copy of these resolutions to the family of the deceased.
Resolved. That
Messrs. Preston of
Washington,
Watson of
Pulaski, and
Gibson of
Hampshire, be a committee to take charge of his remains and accompany them to their place of interment in the county of
Washington.
Messrs. Crump,
Anderson,
Rutherford,
Yerby,
Dickinson,
Crutchfield,
McCue,
Robertson and
Magruder spoke in terms of eulogy of the deceased, and the resolutions were adopted unanimously.
On motion of
Mr. Mallory, the
House adjourned.
