General Assembly of Virginia
Senate.
Friday, Feb, 14, 1862.
The Senate met at 12 o'clock. Prayer by the
Rev Mr. Petebkin, of St. James's Church.
A communication was received from the House of Delegates, announcing the passage of a joint resolution constituting the committees of the two Houses on the
Armory a point committee.
On motion of
Mr. Brannon, the resolution was laid upon the table.
Mr. Thompson, from the
Committee on Agriculture and Commerce, reported a bill to incorporate the
Preston Coal, Oil, and Iron Manufacturing Company.
Mr. Johnson, was excused, at his own request, from further service on the
Penitentiary Committee, and
Mr. Thomas, of Henry, was appointed in his place.
Military Exemptions.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the unfinished business of yesterday, namely, the bill to amend and re-enact the 2d section of chapter 22 of the Code, respecting persons exempt from all military duties, and providing the mode of exemption.
Mr. Thomas, of
Fairfax, moved to amend the bill by providing for the exemption of one physician for every one thousand of the white population, to be designated by the Board.
Mr. Johnson moved to amend the amendment, so as to provide for the exemption of one physician for every two thousand, &c. a greed to.
Mr. Qussenberry moved to amend by striking out the word ‘ "white."’ Agreed to.
The amendment as amended was then adopted.
It reads, ‘"one physician for every two thousand population, to be selected by the Board herein before constituted."’
Mr. Dickinson, of Prince Edward, moved to further amend the bill so as to provide for the exemption of Commonwealth's Attorneys.
Rejected.
Mr. Frazier moved to amend by exempting the Cadets of the Virginia Military Institute, except for such special duty as they may be detailed to perform by the officers of the
Institute.
Rejected.
The bill was then ordered to its engrossment.
On motion of
Mr. Nerson, the vote ordering the bill to its engrossment was reconsidered.
Mr. Garnett then moved to strike out the sixth section, providing for a per diem compensation to the Board.
Agreed to.
Mr. Collier moved to amend the bill so as to exempt the officers of the General Assembly from draft.
Rejected. [The bill exempts the members and the
Clerk of each
House]
Mr. Christian, of
Augusta, moved to amend the bill so as to include the members of the Board of Public Works and the
Secretary thereof.
Rejected.
Mr. Beannon moved to amend by striking out the provisions exempting officers of the two Houses of Congress, Agreed to.
On motion of
Mr. Johnson, a further amendment was adopted exempting the
Clerk of each House of Congress.
On motion of
Mr. Lynch, the bill was further amended by striking out the provision exempting the Doorkeeper of the
Executive.
Mr. Thompson moved to amend by providing for the exemption of all acting Tobacco inspectors; and
Mr. Finney moved to amend the amendment by providing for the exemption of ‘"all farmers."’ The latter was agreed to, and the amendment, as amended, rejected.
On motion of
Mr. Neeson, the bill was further amended so as to empower the
Governor to appoint three justices of any county as a Board, in the event that the Board should not be organized.
On motion of
Mr. Johnson, the rules were suspended, and the bill passed unanimously.
Resolutions.
On motion of
Mr. Wilby, it was resolved that the
Committee for Courts of Justice be instructed to inquire into the propriety of authorizing the
Roanoke Savings Bank, in the county of
Roanoke, to issue small notes, under certain conditions and restrictions.
On motion of
Mr. Thomas, of
Fairfax, it was resolved that the
Committee for Courts of Justice be instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing by law some means of perpetuating the testimony of losses of property occasioned by the invasion of the enemy, and also by the unauthorized acts of the forces of the
Confederate States.
Loyal citizens.
The bill to redress loyal citizens injured by the exercise of usurped power, was taken up, and
Mr. Neeson offered a large number of amendments, which were adopted, and the bill was ordered to its engrossment.
Bill presented.
Mr. Collier, by leave, presented a bill authorizing the
Governor to invite and accept volunteers; which, on his motion, was referred to a select committee.
Railway connection.
On motion of
Mr. Qussenberry, the Senate took up the bill providing for a railway connection between the
Orange and
Alexandria, and Manassas Gap, and the
Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroads.
Mr. Isbell addressed the Senate in favor of the bill.
Pending the consideration of the subject, the Senate adjourned.
