General assembly of Virginia.
Friday January, 16, 1863.
Senate.--The Senate was called to order at 10 o'clock, by Lieut. Gov. Montague.
The Committee of Courts of Justice reported a bill to increase the fees and compensation of Clerks of Courts and Constables.
A communication was received from the Governor, relative to the election of a General Agent and Storekeeper of the Penitentiary.
Robt. M. Nim not having qualified as such when elected, had been succeeded by Mr. Knote.
A resolution was adopted to go into the election of Storekeeper Tuesday.
The following resolutions of Inquiry into expediency were offered: By Mr. Early, inquiring what relief, if any, can be afforded against impressments; Mr. Coghill, of amending see 11 of chap.
208 of the Cone, so as to increase the compensation allowed for board and lodging of persons in criminal cases, and also for increasing the compensation of Grand Jurors; by Mr. Collier, of so amending the 3d sec. of chap.
56 of the Code as to authorize incorporated companies at any time to sink any portion of the stock by reducing the number of shares; by Mr. Neeson, of I quiring what legislation may be necessary for the trial of crimes committed within counties occupied by the public enemy.
The unfinished business of yesterday being the election of a Senator, Mr. Armstrong, of Hampshire, supported the claims of Mr. Rives to the office.
Mr. Nash succeeded, advocating the claims of Mr. Floyd. Mr. Quesenbury, of Caroline advocated the claims of Judge Alien, and was followed on the same side by Mr. Wiley, of Craig.
Mr. Collier favored the claims of Floyd, and was followed by Mr. Pate, of Boone, on the same side.
House of Delegates.--The House met at 10 o'clock A. M., and was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Duncan.
Mr. Chambliss, from the Committee on Propositions and Grievances, presented a bill relative to authorizing town councils and county courts to condemn and impress houses and lots for hospital purposes, when they cannot agree with the owners of the same in the purchase thereof.
Laid on the table.
Mr. Anderson, of Rockbridge, presented a petition from citizens of that county, deprecating the spirit of extortion, which has become so great as to place certain articles of domestic use beyond the reach of the poor, and asking that some action be taken upon the subject by this House.
Laid on the table.
Mr. Prince offered a resolution, instructing the Committee on Agriculture to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill for granting a bounty for the manufacture, in this State, of woolen cards.
Agreed to.
Mr. Staples offered a resolution instructing the Committee on Military Affairs to inquire into the condition of the sick and wounded soldiers of this State, their hospital arrangements, clothing, &c., and to report to this House what appropriations, if any, are necessary to secure the object of the resolution.
Agreed to.
The Speaker presented a communication from His Excellency the Governor, recommending the election of a Penitentiary Storekeeper, Mr. Nimmo, who was recently elected, having failed to qualify-Laid on the table.
At 10½ o'clock the chair was vacated, and the House took a recess to await the action of the Senate on the joint resolutions for the election of Senator.
The House was again called to order at quarter before 3 o'clock. In a few minutes thereafter the committee appointed for the purpose appeared and reported the result of the joint votes of the two bodies, as follows:
Rives, 41; Russell, 33; Floyd, 28; Allen, 61, Caperton, 5; Wysor, 1, Whole number of votes cast, 147, necessary to a choice.
74.
The Speaker announced that, there being no choice, according to the rules of the House, the name of John B. Floyd would be dropped from the list of candidates.
Mr. Gratton, of Rockingham, announced that, not being in the House the previous day in time to record his vote, he would again place in nomination the name of Gen. J. B. Floyd.
The Senate was informed of the nomination, and the House proceeded to a second ballot, with the following result: Rives 29; Russell, 22; Floyd, 26; Allen, 28; Caperton, 1.
The result was communicated to the Senate committee, and the joint vote stood; Rives 41; Russell, 38; Allen, 34; Floyd, 32; scattering, 2.
Whole number of votes cast, 147; necessary to a choice, 74.
There being no choice, the name of John B. Floyd was dropped.
Mr. Richardson, of Mercer, re-nominated Gen. J. B. Floyd, which was transmitted to the Senate, and the House proceeded to the third ballot, with the following result; Rives, 23; Floyd, 27, Allen, 26; Russell, 23; Caperton, 1.
The vote was transmitted to the Senate committee, and the joint vote reported: Rives, 41; Russell, 39; Allen, 32; Floyd, 33; scattering, 3.
Whole number of votes cast, 118; necessary to a choice, 75.
So there being no choice, the name of Judge Allen was dropped from the list.
Mr. Marye, of Spotsylvania, who was absent from his seat when the last vote was taken, again placed in nomination Judge John J. Allen, after which the House proceeded to its 4th ballot, as follows: Rives, 29; Russell, 23; Allen, 29; Floyd, 9; Caperton, 1.
The vote was communicated to the Senate committee, and the vote on joint ballot showed the following result; Rives, 41; Russell, 33; Allen, 35; Floyd, 35; scattering, 2; whole number, 151; necessary to a choice, 76.
There being no choice, and neither of the candidates having received such vote as would bring him under the operation of the rules of the House on the subject, the entire list was again about to be voted for when the name of Judge Allen.
Mr. Forbes, of Fauquier, in a few appropriate remarks, places in nomination Hon. Allen T. Caperton, of Monroe.
The nomination was sustained by Messrs. Anderson, of Botetourt, and Jones. --The withdrawal of Judge Allen and the nomination of Mr. Caperton were communicated to the Senate, and the House proceeded to its fifth ballots Rives, 41, Russell, 26; Floyd, 28; Caperton, 23; Allen 1.
In due time the committee reported the joint vote, as follows: Rives, 40; Russell, 43, Floyd, 35; Caperton, 31; scattering, 2--whole number, 151; necessary to a choice, 56.
There being no election, the name of A. T. Caperton was dropped.
An ineffectual attempt was here made to take a recess until 7 o'clock.
Mr. Forbes, of Fauquier, re-nominated Hon. Allen T. Caperton, and the House proceeded to its 6th ballot, as follows; Rives, 23; Russell 25; Floyd, 29; Caperton, 30; Allen, 1.
The committee retired, and after a brief absence, reported the joint vote: Rives, 34; Russell, 42; Floyd, 36; Caperton, 36; scattering, 2--whole number cast, 149--necessary to a choice, 75.
There being no selection, the name of Mr. Rives was dropped under the rules.
A few explanatory remarks were made by Messrs. Curtis, Anderson of Botetourt, and Forbes, after which the House entered upon the 7th ballot, with the annexed result: Russell, 30; Caperton, 42, Floyd, 28; Rives, 6, Allen, 1.
The committee retired, but soon re-appeared, and announced the joint vote: Russell, 47 Caperton, 47; Floyd, 35 Rives, 18; scattering, 2--whole number of votes cast, 149; necessary to a choice, 75.
There still being no choice, the name of John B, Floyd was dropped.
Mr. Woolfolk put in nomination Judge John J. Allen, and Mr. Lynn of Prince William, re- nominated John B. Floyd, and the House proceeded to the eight ballot, which resulted — Russell, 30; Caperton, 35; Allen, 12; Floyd, 27; Rives 5.
A message was received from the Senate asking the concurrence of the House in a resolution to postpone the further consideration of the joint order until to-morrow morning, at 10½ o'clock.
Mr. Minor opposed the postponement, and during the progress of his remarks a second message was received from the Senate, asking the House to return the resolution just sent in, proposing a postponement of the joint order, to which the House acceded; and the committee retired to count the vote, which they reported to be — Russell, 48; Caperton, 47; Floyd, 33; Allen, 15; Rives, 7; scattering 8; whole number 151; necessary to a choice 76--there being no election, the name of Judge Allen was dropped.
Another message was received from the Senate, asking the concurrence of the House in a post- ponement of the joint order until to-morrow morning at 10½ o'clock. The House concurred, and on motion of Mr. Richardson the House at 6½ o'clock, adjourned until to-morrow morning, at 10 o'clock.
The balloting was continued until eight were reached without a choice, and with varying results, during which time the name of Judge Allen was withdrawn and that of A. T. Caperton placed in nomination.
Subsequently Judge Allen's name was again placed in nomination.
At 6½ o'clock a motion to adjourn prevailed in the Senate which being concurred in by the House, the Senate adjourned to 10½ o'clock this morning. 