General Assembly of Virginia.
Extra session.
Senate.
Thursday, May 8, 1862.
The Senate was called to order by Lieut.-Governor Montague.
The Clerk began the reading of the Journal of the Senate, when Mr. Johnson moved to dispense with the further reading of the same.
This motion was put and carried.
The Chair then announced the Standing Committees — the same as those of last session, with the exception of the following:
On Confederate Relations.--Messrs. Dickinson of Prince Edward, Robertson, Armstrong, Neeson, Johnson, Charistian of Middlesex, Thompson, Fragier, Whiltie, Wiley, and Dickinson of Grayson.
Mr. Beannon, of Lewis, offered a bill authorizing a change of licenses.
The bill was read a first time.
Mr. Johnson offered a bill to authorise County Courts and corporations to purchase salt.
Read a first time.
Mr. Quesenberry offered a resolution instructing the Committee of Finance to in quire into the expediency of refunding to Miss Ann M. Fleming a coupon lost or stolen from her and never presented for payment.
Read a first time.
Mr. Alderson called up the joint resolution offered by himself yesterday, in regard to the restoration of Gen. J. B. Floyd.
The resolution was taken up and passed unanimously, and Mr. Alderson was appointed to communicate the same to the House of Delegates.
The Senate next took up the reading of the calendar; and all the bills, 14 in number, and herewith attached, were ordered to a second reading.
A bill to provide for holding elections to fill vacancies in the representation in the Senate from the 40th and 50th districts.
A bill providing for the appointment of additional clerks in the office of the Auditor of Public Accounts.
A bill to provide temporary warehouses for tobacco.
A bill to establish an inspection of leather in the city of Norfolk.
A bill to refund license taxes to volunteers in the military service, and to other persons.
A bill to amend an act, entitled ‘"an act to incorporate the American Agency,"’ passed March 29th, 1861.
A bill for the relief of Robert Shield, late Sheriff of the county of York.
A bill authorizing the purchase for the State of certain lots in Hollywood Cemetery.
A bill to amend the first, seventh, and twelfth sections of an act, entitled ‘"An act to raise troops to meet the requisition on Virginia by the President of the Confederate States, "’ passed February 10, 1862.
A bill providing payment for horses taken in the service of the State.
A bill to redress loyal citizens injured by the exercise of usurped power.
A bill to carry into effect a contract made with the lessees of the Washington and Smyth salt works for the purchase of salt.
A bill declaring the standard of a cord measure.
A bill providing for and regulating the salary of the third clerk in the Treasurer's department.
Joint resolution instructing the Attorney General to litigate with the Confederate Government the validity of any laws of said Government as claim the right to sequestrate or confiscate the property held by residents of the United States in Virginia, was read and agreed to.
Joint resolution concerning army and navy officers, was laid on the table.
Joint resolution to exempt a certain number of workmen in manufactories of agricultural implements, was laid on the table.
Joint resolution for auditing board, was laid on the table.
Mr. Brannon moved that the bills ordered to a second reeling be retained by the Clerk and not printed, they having previously been printed.
Carried.
On motion of Mr. Quesenberry, the joint resolution for the appointment of a joint committee to take into consideration the state of the country, and to report such measures or resolutions as they may deem proper for the action of the General Assembly, was taken up and passed.
Mr Brannon offered a resolution instructing the Committee of Finance to recommend a tax for the transfer and registration of the registered stock of the State.
The Chair appointed Messrs. Johnson, Hart, Thompson, Brannon, and Quesenberry the committee on the part of the Senate, under the joint resolution.
A message was received from the House, announcing the passage of "an act prescribing the effect of a judgments in favor of the Commonwealth against a deceased person.
The rules were, on motion of Mr. Brannon, suspended to put the bill upon its passage; but Mr. Neeson objecting to its passage, it was reconsidered, and referred to the Committee of Courts of Justice.
Mr. Newman offered the following resolution, which was adopted, viz:
Resolved, That the Governor be requested to inform the Senate as early as possible of the number, quality and description of arms now subject to his disposition.
Mr. Quesenberry, of Caroline, moved to adjourn to 8 P. M.
Mr. Newman offered an amendment fixing the time at 4 P. M.
Mr. Isbell moved an adjournment till 12 o'clock to-morrow.
Lost.
Mr. Newman withdrew his amendment, and the original motion of Mr. Quesenberry prevailed.
[In the report of Wednesday's proceedings, omission was made of the fact that the Senate was for some two hours in secret session. It should have been so stated. Mr. Lynch is confined at home by sickness.--Rep.]