General Assembly of Virginia.
Tuesday, March 24, 1863
Senate.--The body met at 10 o'clock, the President in the chair.
The House preamble and resolution on the subject of the Confederate States Taxation bill were received from that body and tabled.
The bill authorizing a new issue of half a million of fractional State Treasury notes was defeated by a lack of a constitutional majority.
The bill amending the Code of Virginia, and defining citizenship within the limits of the Comm was passed, and reported to the House.
The bill appropriating twenty-one thousand dollars for the rebuilding of that portion of the public warehouse destroyed by fire on the 10th inst., and placing one hundred thousand dollars at the disposal of the Executive to pay owners of tobacco destroyed at the same time, was taken up, on motion of Mr. Nash and passed — ayes 27, noes 4
At noon the Senate went into secret session on a secret message from the House, communicated by Mr. Robertson.
Mr. Collier called up the bill to convert into stock, to be held by the State, the interest in arrear due by the South-Side Railroad Company to the State, and the same was passed — ayes 30 noes 3.
[The interest amounts to one hundred and ninety-six thousand dollars, and it is provided in the bill that the same shall be appropriated to the construction of the new line of road near Farmville, and on a failure of the company to commence the said road in one year and complete it in three years, the amount is to be paid into the State Treasury, with interest thereon]
A communication from the House of Delegates announced the concurrence of the House in the Senate resolution extending the term the present session of the Legislature to Monday next, the 30th of March.
The election of a Superintendent of the Penitentiary to all the vacancy occasioned by the death of Col. Fine, and the House announcing its readiness to proceed to the exertion of the joint order, with Collin of Roanoke in nomination, the Senate acquainted, and placed Col. Edward J. Armstrong, of Taylor, in nomination.
The of the several candidates were freely canvassed by members and the first ballot being taken, resulted as follows: Whole number of voices
The consideration of the General Appropriation bill was continued, and was ending at 3 o'clock, when the Senate took a recess until 8 o'clock.
House of Delegates.--The House met at 11 o'clock.
The Senate bill increasing the foes of Clerks of Courts during the existing war, was taken up and passed.
Senate bill authorizing the Banks of the Commonwealth, during the war to convert Confederate Treasury notes in their possession is on obligations of the Confederate States was taken up and passed.
Senate amendments to the bill providing for elections in countries where its Court-House is held by the public enemy, were concurred in by the House.
The House, on of Mr. Robertson, resolved itself into second session.
Upon the re-opening of the doors the Senate resolution extending the present session of the General Assembly until Monday next, was taken up.
Mr. Anderson, of Rockbridge, moved as a substitute for the Senate resolution, that when the House adjourns to-day, it does so to meet again on the 1st day of May .
Mr. Baldwin moved he substitute, providing for an extension of the session for the period of fifteen days, and that when the House adjourns on Friday next, it will take a recess until the 22d day of April 1863, which was lost.
The vote then recurring upon the Senate resolution, it was rejected — ayes 68, noes 21 --a three-fifths vote being required.
On motion of Mr. Carter, of Lancaster, a special committee of there was appointed to report a bill to prohibit extort on in food.
After several ineffectual efforts to substitute Thursday and Saturday instead of Monday as the day of sojournment, the vote by which the Senate resolution was rejected was reconsidered, and the House concurred with that holy in extending the session until Monday next, the 30th inst — ayes 87, noes 8.
The joint order of the day, for the election of a Superintendent of the Penitentiary, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the death of Chas. Blue, was taken up.
Mr. Worsham put in nomination Mr. Colin Bass, of Roanoke.
There being no further nomination, the name of Mr. Bass was communicated to the Senate.
A message was received from the Senate informing the House of their readiness to proceed to the election of Superintendent of the Penitentiary, and that the name of M. J. Armstrong had been added to the candidates.
The House then proceeded to its first ballot, with the following result: Bass 73, Armstrong 21, scattering 1.
The result was communicated to the Senate and the Joint vote stood: Whole number of votes cast 122--necessary to a choice, 62, of which Mr. Bass received 160, Armstrong 21, scattering 1. Mr. Bass was therefore declared by the Speaker to be duly elected.
The further consideration of the Senate amendments to the tax bill was resumed. 