The Legislature.
In the
Senate, a communication from the lower House was read, announcing their agreement to the Senate bill, providing compensation of members of the General Assembly, Judges, and other officers of the
Government, in lieu of the compensation now allowed by law. Also, a bill to increase the capital stock of the Virginia and Tennessee railroad, with an amendment.
Several bills of a local nature were introduced.
A bill to provide for employing in the public service or for the public benefit free negroes convicted of misdemeanors.
And a bill for the relief of families of soldiers within the lines or power of the enemy.
Mr. Newman, of
Mason, offered a resolution for appropriating $5,000,000 for the benefit of
Virginia soldiers in the
Confederate service, or who may have been honorably discharged from the service, and for the families of those who may have died or been killed in the service.
Mr. Christian, of
Middlesex, proposed a resolution for preventing by law the traffic fin gold and sliver and in the currency of the
United States during the war.
The committee appointed to inform
Gov. Smith and
Lieut-Gov. Price of their election announced the performance of that duty, so far as the
Governor was concerned, and that they had addressed
Lieut. Gov. upon the subject, he being inaccessible to them in person.
A bill was passed to authorize the admission of wills to record upon proof of the handwriting of the attesting witnesses, in certain cases.
And a bill for the enrollment of persons between the ages of 16 and 55 years domiciled in this Commonwealth.
Mr. Johnson offered a joint resolution instructing our
Senators and requesting our Representatives in Congress to take immediate steps to increase the pay of the soldiers in the
Confederate service; which, after a suspension of the rules, was unanimously adopted.
In the
House there was nothing of importance transacted.