Staunton Spectator

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.

SENATE.—Saturday, Feb. 17.—House bill entitled "an act to amend and re-enact section 2d of the act of the 30th March, 1871, entitled 'an act to provide for the payment and funding of the public debt,' " being the unfinished business of yesterday, was taken up—the question being on agreeing to the substitute proposed by Mr. Connally (minority report) for the substitute by Mr. Thomas for the bill.

Mr. Kirkpatrick made an exhaustive and forcible argument of two hours' duration in opposition to the bill and pending substitutes, and in advocacy of the execution of all the provisions of the funding bill, which, he argued, could be done without additional tax upon lands. The coupon feature of the funding bill, he contended, was irrepealable.

Mr. Thomas made a strong argument in favor of his substitute; after which the Senate adjourned until 11 o'clock Monday.

House.—On motion of Mr. Deneale, Mr. Riddlebarger's bill to authorize the supervisors of certain counties to impose a tax on dogs was taken up out of its order.

Mr. Poague moved to amend by adding Rockbridge to the counties named in the bill. Agreed to.

Mr. Deneale moved to add Montgomery, Henrico, Caroline, Rockingham, Tazewell, Amherst, Prince William, Culpeper. Agreed to.

Mr. Bagwell moved to amend by adding "any other county that chooses to avail itself of the benefit of this act." Lost.

On motions severally made Fauquier, Orange, Princess Anne, Smyth, Louisa, Albemarle, Stafford, Fluvanna, Spotsylvania, Alexandria, Campbell, and Bedford, were also added to those named in the bill.

[The counties originally named were Frederick, Shenandoah, Page, and Clarke.

Mr. Turpin moved to make the tax not less than fifteen cents nor more than thirty cents per dog. Rejected.

Messrs. Hill and Anderson declared their opposition to the bill because they believed it unconstitutional.

The bill was then ordered to its engrossment and third reading.

Mr. Booker called up the question of privilege in the case of the witness John W. Jenkins, charged with contumacy.

Mr. Riddlebarger offered a resolution to discharge the witness from custody, and to discharge the special committee from the consideration of the subject of inquiry—viz., the alleged bribery and corruption in connection with the passage of the funding bill.

Mr. Wall asked that the question be divided, which was done.

The question being upon agreeing to that part of the resolution which discharges the prisoner, it was agreed to—ayes, 44; noes, 22.

The second part of the resolution (discharging the committee) was then agreed to—ayes, 43; noes, 38.

SENATE.—Monday, Feb. 19.—House bill repealing the section of the funding bill making coupons receivable for taxes, being the unfinished business of Saturday, was taken up.

Mr. French spoke in favor of the bill and against all the substitutes.

Mr. Greene advocated the adoption of the minority report as a substitute for the House bill. At the conclusion of his remarks the whole subject was passed by for the day.

HOUSE.—On motion of Mr. Riddlebarger, the special order (House bill for the distribution of the proceeds of the sale of the educational land scrip) was postponed until the next special order (the assessment bill) is disposed of.

Senate bill for the assessment of taxes on persons, property, incomes, etc., was then taken up and read by sections for amendment. Pending its consideration the House adjourned.

SENATE. Tuesday, Feb. 20.—House bill repealing the provision of the funding bill making coupons receivable for taxes, being the special order of the day, was taken up.

Mr. Fitzpatrick spoke for an hour and a half in advocacy of the bill and against the proposed substitutes.

According to the resolution adopted (introduced by Mr. Taylor of Loudoun,) the Senate will take a vote on this question at 1 o'clock to-morrow (Wednesday.)

Adjourned until 11 o'clock to-morrow.

HOUSE.—House bill authorizing the supervisors of certain counties to impose a tax on dogs was taken up, and on motion of Mr. Suttle, Stafford county was stricken from the list of counties named in the bill. It was then again ordered to its engrossment and third reading.

On motion of Mr. Lovenstein, the House joint resolution asking Congress to make the tax on tobacco uniform was taken up and passed. [It was afterwards passed by the Senate.]

Senate bill for the assessment of taxes was taken up, and discussed until adjournment.