House of Delegates.
The
House met at 12 o'clock, M.
The bill passed by the Senate incorporating the
James River Insurance Company of
Howardsville, Albemarle county, was reported, and, on motion of
Mr. Minor, passed.
The resolutions passed yesterday by the Senate cordially approving the resolution passed in the Legislature of Georgia, was adopted by the
House.
The Clerk read the report of the
Committee on Privileges and Elections in reference to the case of
John Gatewood. The resolutions of the
Committee advise that the resignation of
Mr. Gatewood be not accepted, and that the
President of the
Confederate States be requested to order
Gen. T. J.
Jackson to permit
Mr. Gatewood to attend to his duties as a member of the House of Delegates.
On motion, the report was laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
On motion of
Mr. Anderson, of
Rockbridge, the
House took up the report of the joint committee appointed to confer with the
Confederate authorities in reference to extortion in salt, and referred that report to the special committee on extortions.
A bill entitled ‘"an act to suspend an ordinance for the re-organization of the militia,"’ (until February 10th,) was passed.
A bill entitled ‘"an act to appropriate money to finish the road from Tazewell Court- House to
Chapmansville, in
Logan county,"’ was taken up.
The motion pending Monday when the
House adjourned, which was to recommit the bill to the committee, was rejected, and the bill was then ordered to be engrossed.
A message was received from the Senate announcing the passage of a resolution to appoint a joint committee to confer with the Confederate Government, for the purpose of urging some prompt action in the defence of
Western Virginia.
The
House adopted the resolution.
The following resolutions of inquiry were referred to the appropriate Committees:
By
Mr. Tomlin: Of imposing a tax on sutlers commensurate with their extortional prices.
By
Mr. Colline: Of changing the name of ‘"the
Petersburg Car, Locomotive, and Agrifultural Implement Works."’
By
Mr. Sanders, of
Campbell: Of allowing the military authorities the use of the penitentiary for the punishment of men convicted by courts-martial of a certain class of offences.
By
Mr. Green: Whether the commandants of military encampments have heretofore performed the duties imposed on them by the ordinances of the
Convention, directing polls to be opened in the military encampments in elections for members of Congress, and of the Legislature, and whether any legislation is necessary to enforce the performance of such duties in future.
By
Mr. Baker: Of so amending the 17th section of the act passed on the 15th of March, 1858, incorporating the ‘"Atlantic Steam Ferry Company,"’ as to extend the period within which the said company are required to commence the running of a vessel or vessels upon the line established by the act.
By
Mr. Booten: Of increasing the penalties imposed upon persons who attempt to pass themselves off as officers of the Confederate army, for the purpose of imposing upon the public whether in the purchase of stock or anything whatever, with the view of making a cheaper purchase for the purpose of speculation.
By
Mr. Flood: What departments and officers connected with the military organization of the
Commonwealth may be advantageously dispensed with.
By
Mr. Ward: Of so amending the existing law as to provide that three directors shall be sufficient to constitute a board for the transaction of business.
By
Mr. Bass: Of appropriating a sum of money out of the Treasury for the purpose of coustructing and testing a trial cannon, from the model of a revolving cannon lately invented by
Dr. Jeter, of
Roanoke county.
Mr. Bass presented a petition from sundry citizens of
Roanoke county, praying the Legislature to pass some law to limit the distillation of grain, as such unlimited distiliation may produce a scarcity and cause suffering among the poorer classes.
The Speaker appointed the following Committee, under the joint resolution relative to the defence of
Western Virginia--
Messrs. Hunter,
Sheppey,
Garrison,
Anderson of Betetourt,
Wilson, Matinews and
Crockett.
The
House then adjourned.
