Legislature of Virginia.
Senate.
Monday, Dec. 9, 1861.
The Senate was called to order by
Mr. Johnson, of
Bedford, who submitted the following letter from the
President:
Richmond, Dec. 8, 1861.
To the Members of the Senate of Virginia:
Gentlemen — I have just received by telegraph the painful intelligence of the death of one of my children.
This sad event renders it necessary for me to be absent for some days.
You will, therefore, take such measures to secure a presiding officer during my absence as shall seem to you best.
Resolutions of inquiry.
By
Mr. McKenney.--Of creating the office of Leather Inspector for the city of
Norfolk.
By
Mr. Thompson.--Of providing additional room for the storage of tobacco.
By
Mr. Neeson.--Of extending the period for the organization of the Virginia Canal Company.
By
Mr. Wiley.--Of so amending the existing law in relation to the issue of small notes as to effectually suppress the issue of the same by unauthorized individuals or corporations, and to authorize chartered banks to issue one dollar notes and multiples thereof, and the multiples of one half dollar.
By
Mr. Beannon--Of providing compulsory means for the conversion of
coupon bonds, issued by the
State, held by loyal owners on some certain day heretofore, into
registered bonds, so as to determine the amount of such bonds held by disloyal, citizens and alien enemies.
By
Mr. Christian, of
Augusta — Of a more equitable apportionment of pay between the officers and the privates in volunteer service.
By
Mr. Pate--Of authorizing the judges of Circuit Courts to hold special terms for the purpose of trying persons arrested upon charge of treason against the
State.
By
Mr. Thomas, of Henry — Of changing the times of holding the terms of the Circuit Court of the 4th Judicial Circuit.
By
Mr. Thompson--Of exempting from taxation the estate of an idiot or person of unsound mind, when the same is insufficient to afford an adequate support.
Relief of Invaded counties.
Mr. Branch, of
Williamsburg, offered the following resolutions:
‘
Resolved, That the
Committee on Finance and Claims be instructed to inquire whether by reason of the invasion of the county of Elizabeth City by the public enemy and his continued presence therein, the
Sheriff of said county has been able to collect therein the public revenue for the present year; and if so, to report by bill or otherwise, such measures of relief for said
Sheriff and his sureties, as in their judgment is just and proper.
Resolved, That said committee be also instructed to inquire whether, for the same reasons, Robert Shield, late
Sheriff of the county of
York, has been able to collect any installment of the public revenue for the year 1860, and payable in the present year; and if so, to report by bill or otherwise such measure of relief for said
Sheriff and his sureties as in their judgment is just and proper.
Resolved, That said committee be also instructed to inquire into the expediency of temporarily relieving the citizens of
Elizabeth City from the payment of the public revenue for the present year.
On motion of
Mr. Thomas, of
Fairfax, the resolutions were so amended as to include other counties similarly situated, and adopted.
’
Vacancies in the Senate.
Mr. Thomas, from the
Committee of Privileges and Elections, made a report in reference to the
Senatorial Districts remaining unrepresented, showing that vacancies occur in the 46th, 50th, and 32d districts, and recommending the adoption of the following resolutions:
‘
That the 23d section of Article 6 of the
Constitution does not authorize the admission of former members of the Senate to seats until their successors are qualified.
That vacancies exist in the 46th, 50th, and 32d Senatorial Districts.
’
The same committee also made a report upon the communication of the
Executive in reference to an election held at various camps, expressing the opinion that they were not in pursuance of law, and are therefore null and void, and recommending the adoption of the following resolution:
‘
That
Norval Lewis and
E. H. Fitzhugh are not entitled to seats in the Senate from the 46th and 50th Senatorial districts by virtue of said elections.
Laid on the table and ordered to be printed On motion of
Mr.McKenney, the Senate adjourned.
’
