Virginia Free Press & Farmers' Repository

THE LEGISLATURE.

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.

RICHMOND, MARCH 3.

Legislative affairs have now assumed a true business aspect. The house meets at ten, and the clerk reads a vast number of bills in their incipient stages, and many reports of committees. I am informed, by experienced members, that never before have applications of various sorts, for local purposes, been so numerous. Petitions have been poured in during every day of the session; but some of them must necessarily get the go by.

On Monday, Mr. McCue, of Augusta, obtained leave to bring in a bill, to amend the charter of the Staunton and Potomac Rail Road Company, so as to allow the extension of the work to Covington or Pattonsburg.

The bill regulating the police laws, concerning free negroes, slaves, &c. was further considered, amended, and ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

The bill concerning delinquent lands was considered, slightly amended, and ordered to be engrossed for its third reading.

On Tuesday, after the dispatch of minor business, a bill, to regulate tolls on stage coaches running on the Kanawha Turnpike, caused considerable debate, but was eventually passed—ayes 72, noes 44.

The land bill was read the third time, and passed, without debate or opposition of any sort. I believe I have already stated the principal features of this bill. All the country east of the Alleghany is relieved of the charges against it up to 1821, and the trans-Alleghany portion is relieved of all sums under $5, exclusive of damages. It is not expected that the Senate will make any material alteration—so that all uneasiness may cease, on this score.

The bill, establishing the county of Mercer, out of parts of Shenandoah and Frederick, was discussed, by Mr. Carson in favor, and by Mr. Smith against—when it passed by a large majority.

A bill to supply the Penitentiary with water, and one to protect fish and wild fowl in the waters of the Potomac, were passed.

On Wednesday, a bill authorising a branch of one of the Virginia Banks to be established at Farmville, in Prince Edward, caused some debate, on its first reading, but was ordered to a second reading, and recommitted. The Morgan contested election was taken up, when Mr. H. A. Byrne, the sitting member, was again ejected, as not being eligible to a seat in the House of Delegates.

The bill, regulating the fees of pilots, was discussed at some length, upon a motion for indefinite postponement. This motion failed—ayes 58, noes 55—and the bill was then laid upon the table.

On Thursday, the bill authorising a subscription to the stock of the Winchester and Potomac Rail Road Company caused some discussion, after which it was recommitted, for the purpose of making some amendments.

The police bill, concerning slaves, free negroes, &c. was debated at some length—but was finally passed, by a vote of 74 to 48. This bill contains a few good features, but many others of so rigorous and harsh a character, that it will in many parts of the state, be a dead letter upon the statute book.

A large number of reports and bills were acted upon—mostly local in their tendency.

On Friday, after the despatch of the ordinary business of the morning, a debate arose upon the bill to provide for the erection of a monument over the remains of George Washington. The bill was recommitted. A bill concerning the Executive Department, also excited a good deal of unnecessary debate, but was eventually ordered to be engrossed.

On Saturday, most of the sitting was occupied in discussion upon two bills; the first, was a bill making appropriations for certain Academies, which was indefinitely postponed—the second, was a bill amending the charter of the Staunton and Potomac Rail Road Company. In this debate, Messrs. McCue and Brooke, of Augusta, and McMahon, of Rockingham, supported, and Mr. Cabell, of Nelson, earnestly opposed it. Mr. Campbell, of Brooke, and Mr. Summers, of Kanawha, took part incidentally, upon a motion to lay the bill on the table. This motion prevailed.

The James River bill will be up on Monday, and I fear will occupy a good deal of time. At this stage of the session—when the sun is beaming mildly and benignantly without, and the birds are carolling their notes of joy on the return of spring—it is peculiarly irksome to be compelled to listen to tedious and dry debate. The impatience manifested by the members generally, ought to be a sufficient hint to all declaimers, to be brief.

The Apportionment bill, which seems to have been unaccountably delayed by Congress, may possibly occupy the attention of the Legislature before its adjournment. If so, the session may be protracted three or four days beyond the 10th.

The Bolivar petition, concerning an amendment of the charter of the town, has been declared reasonable. A bill will be reported on Monday.