Night session.
The Speaker resumed the chair at 7½ o'clock.
Bills Passed.--The following Senate bills were passed: Establishing a Branch Bank at the town of
Jeffersonville, in the county of
Tazewell; amending the 15th section of chapter 109 of the Code of
Virginia, second edition; directing the payment of certain interest to
Emmet J. O'Brien.
The engrossed
House bill appointing superintendents of the
Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike Road was taken up, on motion of
Mr. Fleming, who submitted a ryder thereto, which was incorporated in the bill and passed with it;
House bill for the relief of
J. J. Spaulding was also passed.
Mr. Brannon informed the
House that the Senate had passed
House bill making appropriations for deficiencies in former appropriations, and for defraying expenses of the General Assembly and Convention, now in session, with amendments.
A message was received from the Senate by
Mr. Johnson, who informed the
House that the Senate had agreed to the joint resolutions in relation to a line of steamers between
Virginia and some port in
France, and to the amendments proposed by the
House to Senate bills for the relief of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad; and passed an act amending the bill incorporating a company to construct a railroad on the plan of
Jas. S. French, between
Alexandria and
Washington; also,
House bills releasing to the personal representative of
A. C. Layne, the rent due under his lease for a portion of the
Public Armory; allowing extra compensation to the Senate and House clerks; incorporating the
Preston and Augusta Railroad Company, and for the relief of
Nathaniel B. Harvey.
Removing Troops and Arms Across the Soil of Virginia.--A joint resolution in regard to the movement of troops and arms within the limits of this Commonwealth, by the
General Government, with the amendments proposed thereto by the Senate, being the unfinished business of the morning session, was called up, and the question being on the indefinite postponement of the resolutions,
Mr. McDowell moved the previous question, which was ordered by the
House; and being put, was decided in the negative — ayes 43, noes 61.
The question recurring on the amendment submitted by
Mr. Collier which is as follows: Add to the first resolution after the word
directed, "in case of the actual attempt of the
Federal authorities to transport said guns over the soil of
Virginia,"
Mr. McDowell demanded the previous question, which was sustained by the
House, and being put, was decided in the affirmative.
Mr. Collier then moved further to amend the resolutions of the Senate by striking out that portion of the first resolution by which the
Governor was authorized to order out such portion of the ‘"militia of the
State as he may deem necessary," ’ and the question being on agreeing thereto,
Mr. Seddon obtained the floor, and proceeded to answer the argument advanced by
Messrs. Robertson and
Segar, which he did at length, taking the
Southern State-Rights view of the questions now agitating the public mind.
Mr. Segar replied by correcting his friend from
Stafford in relation to his misconceived views of his position.
Mr. Kern obtained the floor, and commenced an argument against
Collier's last proposition to strike out, which he continued for four hours, with many interruptions and calls to order.
A call of the
House being agreed on, several hours were consumed in calling the roll.
The doors were locked, and the Sergeant-at-Arms dispatched after absentees, the members in the meantime amusing themselves in talking and other innocent amusements.
At 4½ o'clock,
Collier's amendment was adopted, on a call of the previous question.
After more noise and talking, a vote was taken on a substitute offered by
Mr. Yersy, somewhat similar to that offered by
Mr. Robertson, which was voted down on a call of the previous question.
A little after 5 o'clock, a vote was taken on the Senate resolution, as amended by
Mr. Collier as a substitute for
Mr. Robertson's resolution, heretofore adopted by the
House, and it was adopted — ayes 45, noes 32, several members positively refusing to vote.
The number of votes recorded constitute exactly a quorum, and two of those voting in the negative were only induced to do so by the
Speaker's ordering the doors to be opened so that they might not appear to do so under duress.
The
House adjourned at 5½ o'clock-- "broad daylight" --Sunday morning.
