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Domestic News
March 16, 1850
Daily Richmond Times
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
Proceedings of the Virginia House of Delegates on March 14-15, 1850, covered prayer, Senate messages, petitions, turnpike reconsiderations, honors for Capt. Tansell, borrowing resolution, elections of Judges John Robertson and John S. Caskie for Henrico's 21st Judicial Circuit, adjournment debates, tobacco brands bill, and various railroad and relief bills passed or rejected.
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HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Thursday, March 14, 1850.
Prayer by the Rev. Edward Kingsford, of the Baptist Church.
The Speaker vacated the Chair, shortly after the organization, for the purpose of signing enrolled bills.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE.
A message was received from the Senate, stating that they had passed several bills from the House, to a few of which they proposed amendments. in which they asked the concurrence of the House. The amendments were severally read and agreed to.
PETITION.
Mr. Conway presented a petition of citizens of the town of Fredericksburg in relation to a free school system.
WESTON AND LEWIS TURNPIKE COMPANY.
Mr. Jacobs moved to suspend the rule for the purpose of reconsidering the vote by which the engrossed bill to amend the act to incorporate the Weston and Lewis Turnpike Company was rejected. Mr. J. said he did not make the motion with the view of voting for the bill, but simply to enable his friend from Harrison and Doddridge to put himself right before his constituents.
Mr. LEWIS, of H., then addressed the House in favor of the suspension of the rules and in explanation of his position.
The vote being taken, the House refused to suspend the rules for the purpose indicated.
HONOURS TO CAPT. TANSELL.
Mr. Gilmore, from the Select Committee on the subject, presented a report awarding appropriate honours to Brevet Capt. Robert Tansell, of the United States Marine Corps. The report directs the Governor of the Commonwealth to cause to be prepared a sword, with suitable devices, to be presented by him to Capt. Tansell.
RESOLUTION
On motion of Mr. CARROLL,
Resolved, by the General Assembly, That whenever the Board of Public Works shall have been or may be authorised to borrow money by any act passed at the present session of the General Assembly for the payment of any subscription or appropriation to any work of internal improvement, the said money may be borrowed by said Board at any rate of interest not exceeding 6 per cent. per annum, any thing to any such act to the contrary notwithstanding,
ELECTION OF JUDGES FOR THE 21ST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.
The House, according to the joint order of the day, proceeded by joint vote with the Senate, to the election of a Judge for the Chancery side of the Circuit Court for Henrico county.
Mr. Mayo nominated JOHN ROBERTSON Esq., for the office of Chancellor. He remarked that the gentleman whom he had placed in nomination was so well known to the House, that he felt it to be entirely useless to say one word in favor of the propriety of electing him to fill the office in question.
No other person being placed in nomination, Mr. Mayo was deputed by the Speaker to inform the Senate of the readiness of the House to proceed to the execution of the joint order of the day, and that John Robertson. Esq. had been placed in nomination.
After a short interval, Mr. STANARD brought a message from the Senate, signifying the readiness of that body to proceed to the execution of the joint order, and that no additional nomination had been made.
The Clerk of the House then proceeded to call the roll, with the following result:
For John Robertson..... 109
For Conway Robinson.. 1—(Mr. Griffin.)
Joint vote—Whole number of votes. 137
Necessary to elect.. 69
For John Robertson. 132
Scattering..
So JOHN ROBERTSON, Esq., was declared to be duly elected Judge for the Chancery side of the 21st Judicial Circuit.
Both Houses then, in farther execution of the joint order, proceeded to the election of a Judge for the Common Law side of the Circuit Court for Henrico county.
Mr. LANCASTER rose for the purpose of nominating JOHN B. YOUNG, Esq., of the county of Henrico, for the office. He said Mr. Young was a young gentleman of high standing at the bar, of fine acquirements, and of high moral character. He knew his constituents would be gratified, should it be the pleasure of the House to select Mr. Y. to fill the office. The county of Henrico had never enjoyed the honor of furnishing a Judge for the 21st Circuit, and he therefore trusted it might be the pleasure of the Legislature now to confer on her that honor.
Mr. CLAIBORNE said he rose to make a nomination— not a speech. He said he knew Mr. Young to be a gentleman of high moral character and respectable talents, and fully concurred with the member from Henrico in all he had said, in relation to that gentleman. But, he begged to bring to the favourable consideration of the House, the name of a gentleman well qualified to fill the office in question. He alluded to JOHN S. CASKIE, Esq., a distinguished member of the Richmond bar. The fine abilities and peculiar fitness of Mr. Caskie. commended him to the favourable attention of the House. His youth probably constituted the only objection which could be urged against his selection. With him (Mr. C.) that constituted a recommendation—he thought we already had on the bench too many old Judges. and too few young ones. He paid a handsome tribute to the high intellectual endowments of Mr. Caskie, and trusted it might be the pleasure of the Legislature to elect him.
Mr. Mayo said he had not designed saying one word on the subject of this election—but he felt it to be his duty to declare that a clearer headed gentleman, or one better qualified to fill this office, than John S. Caskie, could not be found in the commonwealth. Besides being gifted with an extraordinary mind, he was pre-eminently distinguished for firmness and independence, two attributes which well become a Judge. At the hands of John S. Caskie, should it be the pleasure of the Legislature to elevate him to the bench, the Prince and the Beggar would receive impartial, even-handed justice. Mr. M. assured the House that should Mr. Caskie be chosen, he would make an able and faithful Judge, whose genius would adorn the bench. He also bore evidence to the high character of Mr. Young as a gentleman and a jurist.
No additional nomination being made in either House the joint vote resulted as follows:
Whole number of votes. 140
Necessary to a choice 71
For John S. Caskie. 68
John B. Young.. 48
Scattering. 24
No election. The Clerk of the House of Delegates proceeded to call the roll the second time, with the following result:
For John S. Caskie 72
John B. Young. 31
Scattering...
Joint vote with the Senate.—Whole number of votes 139—necessary to a choice 70; for John S. Caskie 85. John B. Young 45, scattering 9.
So John S. Caskie, Esq. was declared to be duly elected Judge for the Common Law side of the Circuit Court for Henrico County.
THE ADJOURNMENT
Mr. STOVALL moved to rescind the resolution for the adjournment of the Legislature on Monday next; and also moved that with the consent of the Senate, the House of Delegates would adjourn on Friday next, the 22d inst.
On Mr. SNOWDEN's motion the resolution was indefinitely postponed.
Mr. MARTZ moved that when the House adjourns to-day, it adjourn sine die.
Mr. Harrison moved as a substitute that the joint order for adjourning on Monday next, be rescinded, and that this House will, with the consent of the Senate, adjourn on Wednesday the 20th inst.
The amendment was agreed to, and the resolution, as amended, was then adopted, and sent to the Senate.
TOBACCO BRANDS.
Mr. Rives, from the committee on Agriculture, &c., presented a bill to prevent one manufacturer of tobacco, from using the brand of another.
A number of engrossed bills were then read a third time and passed—all of which have already been given in a "Legislative Summary."
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
FRIDAY, MARCH 15TH, 1850
On motion of Mr. Lewis, of Harrison, the Board of Public Works were directed to cause a survey to be made of the best route for a turnpike road from Weston, in the county of Lewis, to West Union, in the county of Doddridge.
BILLS ON THEIR PASSAGE.
The following engrossed bills coming up on their passage, were disposed of as noted below:
To incorporate the Norfolk and Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad Company. Mr. BUTT moved its indefinite postponement—negatived, ayes 27, noes 55. Mr. STUBBS advocated the passage of the bill at length; but the vote being taken, it was rejected by ayes 41, noes 43
To incorporate the Clarksville and Gaston Railroad Company—authorising an appropriation on the part of the State of $200,000—rejected, ayes 31, noes 54.
For the relief of Wm. O. Jordan, of Charlotte county—passed, ayes 53, noes 36.
To authorise the Hustings Court of Danville to appoint a commissioner of the revenue—passed.
For the relief of the administrator of Thos. G. Peachy, deceased—explained by Mr. Harris, advocated by Mr. SOUTHALL, and indefinitely postponed.
To incorporate the Holiday's Cove Railroad Company—opposed by Mr. WHEAT and advocated by Mr. WELLS—rejected.
For the relief of Susan Blackwell, a free woman of colour, asking permission to remain in the Commonwealth—passed.
Bills were then taken up on their second reading, and the House continued to be thus occupied until the arrival of the hour for the recess.
EVENING SESSION.
During the evening session, a message was received from the Senate stating that that body had passed the bills "authorizing a State loan of $200,000 to the Richmond and Danville Railroad Company," and "providing for an extension of the James River and Kanawha Canal from Buchanan to Covington," with amendments, in which they requested the concurrence of the House.
The amendments of the Senate to the first named bill hereby changed the provisions of the bill so as to guarantee the bonds of the company to the amount of $200,000, instead of loaning the company that amount
The amendments being read, Mr. VERBY moved to postpone the bill and amendments indefinitely—lost ayes 30, noes 60. The House then concurred in the Senate's amendments.
The amendments of the Senate to the last named bill provided that the James River and Kanawha Company should borrow, on the corporate bonds of that company, the sum of $360,000, which should be used exclusively for the purpose of making the connection between Buchanan and Covington—the bonds to be irredeemable for thirty years, the State guaranteeing the ultimate payment of principal and interest. The question being on concurring with the Senate's amendments a motion was made to postpone the bill and amendments indefinitely—lost, ayes 28, noes 54. The House then concurred with the Senate's amendments by ayes 50, noes 30.
Thursday, March 14, 1850.
Prayer by the Rev. Edward Kingsford, of the Baptist Church.
The Speaker vacated the Chair, shortly after the organization, for the purpose of signing enrolled bills.
MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE.
A message was received from the Senate, stating that they had passed several bills from the House, to a few of which they proposed amendments. in which they asked the concurrence of the House. The amendments were severally read and agreed to.
PETITION.
Mr. Conway presented a petition of citizens of the town of Fredericksburg in relation to a free school system.
WESTON AND LEWIS TURNPIKE COMPANY.
Mr. Jacobs moved to suspend the rule for the purpose of reconsidering the vote by which the engrossed bill to amend the act to incorporate the Weston and Lewis Turnpike Company was rejected. Mr. J. said he did not make the motion with the view of voting for the bill, but simply to enable his friend from Harrison and Doddridge to put himself right before his constituents.
Mr. LEWIS, of H., then addressed the House in favor of the suspension of the rules and in explanation of his position.
The vote being taken, the House refused to suspend the rules for the purpose indicated.
HONOURS TO CAPT. TANSELL.
Mr. Gilmore, from the Select Committee on the subject, presented a report awarding appropriate honours to Brevet Capt. Robert Tansell, of the United States Marine Corps. The report directs the Governor of the Commonwealth to cause to be prepared a sword, with suitable devices, to be presented by him to Capt. Tansell.
RESOLUTION
On motion of Mr. CARROLL,
Resolved, by the General Assembly, That whenever the Board of Public Works shall have been or may be authorised to borrow money by any act passed at the present session of the General Assembly for the payment of any subscription or appropriation to any work of internal improvement, the said money may be borrowed by said Board at any rate of interest not exceeding 6 per cent. per annum, any thing to any such act to the contrary notwithstanding,
ELECTION OF JUDGES FOR THE 21ST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.
The House, according to the joint order of the day, proceeded by joint vote with the Senate, to the election of a Judge for the Chancery side of the Circuit Court for Henrico county.
Mr. Mayo nominated JOHN ROBERTSON Esq., for the office of Chancellor. He remarked that the gentleman whom he had placed in nomination was so well known to the House, that he felt it to be entirely useless to say one word in favor of the propriety of electing him to fill the office in question.
No other person being placed in nomination, Mr. Mayo was deputed by the Speaker to inform the Senate of the readiness of the House to proceed to the execution of the joint order of the day, and that John Robertson. Esq. had been placed in nomination.
After a short interval, Mr. STANARD brought a message from the Senate, signifying the readiness of that body to proceed to the execution of the joint order, and that no additional nomination had been made.
The Clerk of the House then proceeded to call the roll, with the following result:
For John Robertson..... 109
For Conway Robinson.. 1—(Mr. Griffin.)
Joint vote—Whole number of votes. 137
Necessary to elect.. 69
For John Robertson. 132
Scattering..
So JOHN ROBERTSON, Esq., was declared to be duly elected Judge for the Chancery side of the 21st Judicial Circuit.
Both Houses then, in farther execution of the joint order, proceeded to the election of a Judge for the Common Law side of the Circuit Court for Henrico county.
Mr. LANCASTER rose for the purpose of nominating JOHN B. YOUNG, Esq., of the county of Henrico, for the office. He said Mr. Young was a young gentleman of high standing at the bar, of fine acquirements, and of high moral character. He knew his constituents would be gratified, should it be the pleasure of the House to select Mr. Y. to fill the office. The county of Henrico had never enjoyed the honor of furnishing a Judge for the 21st Circuit, and he therefore trusted it might be the pleasure of the Legislature now to confer on her that honor.
Mr. CLAIBORNE said he rose to make a nomination— not a speech. He said he knew Mr. Young to be a gentleman of high moral character and respectable talents, and fully concurred with the member from Henrico in all he had said, in relation to that gentleman. But, he begged to bring to the favourable consideration of the House, the name of a gentleman well qualified to fill the office in question. He alluded to JOHN S. CASKIE, Esq., a distinguished member of the Richmond bar. The fine abilities and peculiar fitness of Mr. Caskie. commended him to the favourable attention of the House. His youth probably constituted the only objection which could be urged against his selection. With him (Mr. C.) that constituted a recommendation—he thought we already had on the bench too many old Judges. and too few young ones. He paid a handsome tribute to the high intellectual endowments of Mr. Caskie, and trusted it might be the pleasure of the Legislature to elect him.
Mr. Mayo said he had not designed saying one word on the subject of this election—but he felt it to be his duty to declare that a clearer headed gentleman, or one better qualified to fill this office, than John S. Caskie, could not be found in the commonwealth. Besides being gifted with an extraordinary mind, he was pre-eminently distinguished for firmness and independence, two attributes which well become a Judge. At the hands of John S. Caskie, should it be the pleasure of the Legislature to elevate him to the bench, the Prince and the Beggar would receive impartial, even-handed justice. Mr. M. assured the House that should Mr. Caskie be chosen, he would make an able and faithful Judge, whose genius would adorn the bench. He also bore evidence to the high character of Mr. Young as a gentleman and a jurist.
No additional nomination being made in either House the joint vote resulted as follows:
Whole number of votes. 140
Necessary to a choice 71
For John S. Caskie. 68
John B. Young.. 48
Scattering. 24
No election. The Clerk of the House of Delegates proceeded to call the roll the second time, with the following result:
For John S. Caskie 72
John B. Young. 31
Scattering...
Joint vote with the Senate.—Whole number of votes 139—necessary to a choice 70; for John S. Caskie 85. John B. Young 45, scattering 9.
So John S. Caskie, Esq. was declared to be duly elected Judge for the Common Law side of the Circuit Court for Henrico County.
THE ADJOURNMENT
Mr. STOVALL moved to rescind the resolution for the adjournment of the Legislature on Monday next; and also moved that with the consent of the Senate, the House of Delegates would adjourn on Friday next, the 22d inst.
On Mr. SNOWDEN's motion the resolution was indefinitely postponed.
Mr. MARTZ moved that when the House adjourns to-day, it adjourn sine die.
Mr. Harrison moved as a substitute that the joint order for adjourning on Monday next, be rescinded, and that this House will, with the consent of the Senate, adjourn on Wednesday the 20th inst.
The amendment was agreed to, and the resolution, as amended, was then adopted, and sent to the Senate.
TOBACCO BRANDS.
Mr. Rives, from the committee on Agriculture, &c., presented a bill to prevent one manufacturer of tobacco, from using the brand of another.
A number of engrossed bills were then read a third time and passed—all of which have already been given in a "Legislative Summary."
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
FRIDAY, MARCH 15TH, 1850
On motion of Mr. Lewis, of Harrison, the Board of Public Works were directed to cause a survey to be made of the best route for a turnpike road from Weston, in the county of Lewis, to West Union, in the county of Doddridge.
BILLS ON THEIR PASSAGE.
The following engrossed bills coming up on their passage, were disposed of as noted below:
To incorporate the Norfolk and Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad Company. Mr. BUTT moved its indefinite postponement—negatived, ayes 27, noes 55. Mr. STUBBS advocated the passage of the bill at length; but the vote being taken, it was rejected by ayes 41, noes 43
To incorporate the Clarksville and Gaston Railroad Company—authorising an appropriation on the part of the State of $200,000—rejected, ayes 31, noes 54.
For the relief of Wm. O. Jordan, of Charlotte county—passed, ayes 53, noes 36.
To authorise the Hustings Court of Danville to appoint a commissioner of the revenue—passed.
For the relief of the administrator of Thos. G. Peachy, deceased—explained by Mr. Harris, advocated by Mr. SOUTHALL, and indefinitely postponed.
To incorporate the Holiday's Cove Railroad Company—opposed by Mr. WHEAT and advocated by Mr. WELLS—rejected.
For the relief of Susan Blackwell, a free woman of colour, asking permission to remain in the Commonwealth—passed.
Bills were then taken up on their second reading, and the House continued to be thus occupied until the arrival of the hour for the recess.
EVENING SESSION.
During the evening session, a message was received from the Senate stating that that body had passed the bills "authorizing a State loan of $200,000 to the Richmond and Danville Railroad Company," and "providing for an extension of the James River and Kanawha Canal from Buchanan to Covington," with amendments, in which they requested the concurrence of the House.
The amendments of the Senate to the first named bill hereby changed the provisions of the bill so as to guarantee the bonds of the company to the amount of $200,000, instead of loaning the company that amount
The amendments being read, Mr. VERBY moved to postpone the bill and amendments indefinitely—lost ayes 30, noes 60. The House then concurred in the Senate's amendments.
The amendments of the Senate to the last named bill provided that the James River and Kanawha Company should borrow, on the corporate bonds of that company, the sum of $360,000, which should be used exclusively for the purpose of making the connection between Buchanan and Covington—the bonds to be irredeemable for thirty years, the State guaranteeing the ultimate payment of principal and interest. The question being on concurring with the Senate's amendments a motion was made to postpone the bill and amendments indefinitely—lost, ayes 28, noes 54. The House then concurred with the Senate's amendments by ayes 50, noes 30.
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
Appointment
Infrastructure
What keywords are associated?
House Of Delegates
Judge Election
Henrico Circuit
Legislative Proceedings
Bill Passages
Virginia Assembly
Turnpike Survey
Railroad Incorporation
Senate Amendments
What entities or persons were involved?
John Robertson
John S. Caskie
John B. Young
Robert Tansell
Edward Kingsford
Mr. Conway
Mr. Jacobs
Mr. Lewis
Mr. Gilmore
Mr. Carroll
Mr. Mayo
Mr. Lancaster
Mr. Claiborne
Mr. Stovall
Mr. Snowden
Mr. Martz
Mr. Harrison
Mr. Rives
Mr. Lewis Of Harrison
Mr. Butt
Mr. Stubbs
Wm. O. Jordan
Thos. G. Peachy
Susan Blackwell
Mr. Verby
Where did it happen?
Henrico County, Virginia
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Henrico County, Virginia
Event Date
March 14 15, 1850
Key Persons
John Robertson
John S. Caskie
John B. Young
Robert Tansell
Edward Kingsford
Mr. Conway
Mr. Jacobs
Mr. Lewis
Mr. Gilmore
Mr. Carroll
Mr. Mayo
Mr. Lancaster
Mr. Claiborne
Mr. Stovall
Mr. Snowden
Mr. Martz
Mr. Harrison
Mr. Rives
Mr. Lewis Of Harrison
Mr. Butt
Mr. Stubbs
Wm. O. Jordan
Thos. G. Peachy
Susan Blackwell
Mr. Verby
Outcome
john robertson elected chancellor for chancery side (132 votes); john s. caskie elected judge for common law side (85 votes) after second ballot; various bills passed (e.g., relief for wm. o. jordan, susan blackwell, senate amendments to railroad and canal bills) or rejected (e.g., norfolk and seaboard railroad, clarksville and gaston railroad); adjournment set for march 20; survey ordered for turnpike route; honors awarded to capt. tansell including sword presentation.
Event Details
The House of Delegates convened with prayer, handled Senate messages and amendments, presented petition from Fredericksburg on free schools, refused to reconsider Weston and Lewis Turnpike bill, awarded honors to Capt. Tansell, passed resolution on Board of Public Works borrowing at up to 6% interest, elected judges for Henrico's 21st Circuit with nominations and speeches, debated and set adjournment to March 20, introduced tobacco brands bill, and on March 15 directed turnpike survey, disposed of multiple incorporation and relief bills with votes, and concurred in Senate amendments for railroad loan guarantee and canal extension.