House of Delegates.
Friday, March 22d, 1861.
The
House was called to order at 10 o'clock, by
Mr.Yerby.
A message was received from the Senate announcing the passage of a number of bills.
Senate bill transferring the
Cacapon and North Branch Turnpike to the County Court of Hampshire, was passed.
Adverse reports were returned to the petition of
Henry C. Perkins, of
King George county; to the petition of
Samuel E. Lee, of
Lunenburg county; to the expediency of incorporating the American Agency.
The Orange and Alexandria Railroad was brought to the attention of the
House by a motion of
Mr. Barbour for its relief.
The bill proposes that the collection of the interest on $400,000 shall be deferred until 1864.
The mover explained the bill, and advocated its passage, saying that, on account of the condition of public affairs, the road receipts had been diminished, per month, from $60,000 to $25,000.
Mr.Magruder advocated the passage of the bill.
Similar ones had been passed when there was no such national agitation as now exists.
Mr.Haymond opposed the bill.
Mr.Segar said it was wiser for the Legislature to afford the relief asked for, than that the entire
State's interest in the road should be sacrificed under the auctioneer's hammer.
Mr.Collier said he only desired to see even-handed justice.
If this road really needed the relief asked for, he was willing to grant it, hoping that reciprocity would be the sentiment of the Legislature with reference to the roads running to
Petersburg.
Mr.Gibson, of
Hampshire, and Mr.
Anderson, of
Botetourt, advocated the passage of the bill.
The
House refused to pass it, and, on motion of
Mr.Lockridge, the vote was reconsidered; and then, on motion of
Mr.Barbour, the bill was laid on the table.
Mr.Watson, of
Accomac, offered for adoption a resolution providing that, with the consent of the Senate, the
House would on Saturday, the 23rd of March, 1861, proceed to the election of Militia
Major and
Brigadier Generals.
It was objected to and laid on the table.
House Bills Passed.--Establishing an inspection of leather for the county of
Hampshire; incorporating the
Virginia Lumber Company, of the counties of
Augusta and
Rockbridge; and amending the charter of the town of
Guyandotte, in the county of
Cabell.
Night Sessions.--The
House took up and considered
Mr. Tomlin's resolution, providing that on and after to-morrow the
House shall sit till 2 o'clock, and the chair being vacated at that time, the
House shall resume its business at 7 ½ o'clock.
On motion of
Mr.Jones of G., "Monday next" was inserted in place of "to-morrow."
Mr.Bass moved that the
Clerk be authorized to withhold the pay of those members voting for night sessions, for each day on which they failed to attend such sessions.
Mr.Collier moved that the
Clerk be authorized to draw such pay and expend the same, under the direction of the Speaker.--Amidst the most dire confusion, both amendments were declared lost.
Mr.Bisbie offered a resolution that the
Clerk be required to make a full report of the highly-edifying and instructive debate on this occasion, and that 2,000 copies the same be printed for circulation among the constituents of members.
It was not considered.
Mr.Medley said he did not think outsiders should be allowed to witness the uproar in the
House.
He therefore moved to clear the galleries.
[Uproarious applause.]
Mr.Collier moved to amend the resolution by substituting the following:
‘
Resolved, That on and after Monday next this
House will meet at 8 o'clock A. M., and sit all day, taking 20 minutes recess at 1 o'clock P. M.
’
Not considered.
Mr.Cowan moved to amend by substituting Monday week, (April 1st, the day fixed on for adjournment
sine die,) for Monday next.--Lost.
The resolution was then agreed to, (more than an hour was consumed in debating the resolution and amendments,) and the greatest confusion prevailed.
Mr.McKenzie addressed the
House, while eating an apple, in favor of a motion made by
Mr.Keen, to strike out that section of the Code requiring merchants to take an oath that they would not pass notes of a lower denomination than five dollars.
Mr.Medley rose to a point of order.
He did not think it in order for a member to address the
House and eat apples at the same time.
[Great laughter.]
Mr.McKenzie did not mean any disrespect to the
House, and would remind the gentleman who called him to order that he frequently came in and walked to his seat with his hat on.
Mr.Collier said if the gentleman would pass the apples around, members would not object to his eating.
[Renewed sensation and laughter.]
The Speaker.--"Order, gentlemen.
Members will please conduct the business of the day with dignity and decorum.
The motion was finally indefinitely postponed.
The bill providing for bringing the remains of
Gen. Harry Lee to his native State, was passed to its engrossment.
On motion, the
House adjourned.
