House of Delegates.
Thursday May 8, 1862.
The
House being called to order at twelve o'clock, prayer was offered by
the Rev. Mr. Duncan, of the
M. E. Church.
Mr. Rutherfoord, from, the
Committee on Courts of Justice, reported a bill providing for the execution of the sentence of death in certain cases; a bill amending and re-enacting section 13, chapter 207, of the Code; a bill amending and re-enacting section 5th, chapter 205, of the Code; and a bill amending and re-enacting section 1st, chapter 102, of the Code; all of which refer to matters of law affected by the presence of the enemy in certain districts, the amendments being in tended to obviate the attendant difficulties.
They were each read a third time and passed.
The Committee on Courts also reported resolutions that it is inexpedient to allow adjudiclaries to invest funds in their hands; that it is inexpedient to give general jurisdiction to certain Courts, and that it is inexpedient to extend the jurisdiction of Courts in certain cases.
Mr. Harrison offered a resolution, which was adopted, that so much of the
Governor's message as relates to the removal of slaves from districts occupied or threatened by the enemy be referred to a special committee.
The Chair appointed on the committee
Messrs. Harrison,
Minor,
Bouldin,
Gilner, and
Grattan.
Mr. Woodfolk called up the resolution offered by him on yesterday, fixing the time for the adjournment of the present session of the Legislature upon Saturday, the 10th inst.--Objection was made by
Mr. Jones to its consideration, on account of the absence of several committees.
Mr. Mallory called for the ayes and noes upon the question of taking up.
Mr. Woodfolk, in deference to the absent members, said that he would withdraw the motion for the present.
Mr. Mallory, however, insisted, and the motion to take up was defeated by ayes 23, noes 37.
Mr. Wright presented a petition from
H. R. Boggs, and others, praying for a modification of the laws suppressing distilleries; which was laid upon the table.
The bill, reported on yesterday, prescribing the effect of a judgment against a dedicated person, in favor of the
Commonwealth, was taken up from the calendar and passed.
Mr. Woolfolk, offered a joint resolution that ‘"the
Governor be authorized and instructed to grant a commission to
Major Gen. John B. Floyd, and authorize him to raise a division of twenty thousand men, not subject to the
Conscription Act, for the defence of the
State."’ Adopted.
On motion of
Mr. Greene, so much of the
Governor's message as relates to bounties for the manufacture of saltpetre, was referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
A message was received from the Senate announcing the passage of a joint resolution, asking for the restoration of
Gen. John B. Floyd to his command.
(Published on yesterday.)
Mr. Prince, in view of the importance of the subject, moved that immediate action be suspended and the resolution laid upon the table.
Mr. Worsham objected to the postponement, and urged that not a moment could be lost in restoring to his command this gallant and tried officer.
Mr. Saunders asked the friends of the resolution not to press it to its passage to day, as there were many who desired to obtain information on the subject before voting upon it.
The motion to lay on the table was adopted.
A second message was received from the Senate, communicating the adoption of the
House resolutions for the appointment of a Committee on the
State of the Country; upon which the
Speaker named the following gentlemen to compose the committee on the part of the
House: --
Messrs. Newton,
Bouldis,
Rutherfoord,
Tate,
Minor,
Treadway and
Pallory.
Mr. Newton offered the following preamble and resolutions, which, on his motion, were referred to the
Committee on the
State of the Country.
[See evening session, Senate proceedings]
On motion of
Mr. Woolfolk, the
Speaker vacated the chair until eight o'clock P. M., st which time the Military Committee reported, in secret session, upon the subject of the
State defences.
