Staunton Spectator

Legislature of Virginia,
Monday, Feb. 13. -Senate. The Committee on Courts of Justice reported a bill to re-arrange the judicial circuits, districts and sections of the State, and constituting a new circuit; and a bill for the appointment of a general administrator in each county and corporation.

The Joint Committee on the South Carolina mission reported the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the General Assembly of Virginia recognizing in our present relations with the non-slaveholding States an imperative necessity for decisive measures, does not yet distrust the capacity of the Southern States, by a wise and firm exercise of their reserved powers, to protect the rights and liberties of the people and to preserve the Federal Union. For this purpose we earnestly desire the concerted action of the Southern States, but the General Assembly respectfully submits for the consideration of South Carolina and all her sister States of the South, that efficient co-operation will be more safely obtained by such direct legislative action of the several States as may be necessary and proper than through the agency of an assemblage which can exercise no legislative powers except to debate and advise.

Resolved, Therefore, That in the opinion of the General Assembly, it is inexpedient to appoint deputies to the conference proposed by South Carolina.

Resolved, That the Governor of the Commonwealth be requested to communicate the foregoing resolutions to the Governor of the State of South Carolina, and to the Governors of the Slaveholding States.

On motion of Mr. August, who expressed his intention to present a minority report, the above were laid on the table and ordered to be printed.

A communication was received from the Executive concerning the refusal of the Governor of Iowa to grant the requisition made on him by the Executive of this State for Barclay Coppic, who had been engaged in the Harper's Ferry raid. Governor Letcher gives the history of the requisition for Coppic, and denounces the duplicity of Governor Kirkwood, of Iowa, in aiding his escape. He urges prompt action on the part of the South to put itself in a position where it can secure the punishment of those who offend against its laws.

Governor Letcher also laid before the Legislature a series of resolutions from a public meeting in Atlanta, Ga., extending the hospitality of the city to Virginia delegates to the proposed Southern Conference.

House.—The Joint Committee on the South Carolina mission reported, and the Governor made the same communications to the House which are mentioned in the Senate's proceedings.

The Senate bill to pay $933.85 to the Exchange Hotel for a supper to and entertainment of Mr. Memminger, was passed.

The bill to amend the charter of the James River & Kanawha Company was advocated by Mr. Davis.

Tuesday.—Senate.—The Committee on Insane Asylums reported a bill incorporating the Southern Institution for the amelioration of the condition of the deaf and dumb and blind negroes of the Commonwealth.

A Senate bill to amend the charter of the Central Bank of Virginia, was passed.

The bill to provide for the sale into slavery of negro convicts employed on public works under certain circumstances, and also to authorize the Governor to employ on public works certain white convicts, was taken up and ordered to be engrossed.

House. After some unimportant business, the special license bill was resumed, and Mr. Seddon spoke in opposition to the views of Mr. Barbour. The matter was then postponed till Tuesday.

Wednesday. Senate.—After a variety of business of no general interest, the Senate proceeded to the election of State officers. See House proceedings.

The bill to incorporate the Valley Railroad Company (from Harrisonburg to Salem) came up. Mr. Stuart offered a rider which was ordered to be engrossed, providing that the said Railroad shall pass as near to Staunton and Lexington as practicable, and that the part of the Central Railroad between Staunton and Goshen may be used as part of the Valley Railroad on such terms as may be agreed upon.

Mr. Thomas, of Fairfax, offered a rider providing that the Winchester and Potomac Railroad or Baltimore and Ohio Railroad shall form no connexion with the Valley, Central or Manassas Gap Railroad.

House. —At 12 o'clock, the Joint order of the day, being the election of State officers, came up. All the present incumbents were re-elected, viz: G. W. Munford, Secretary of the Commonwealth; John S. Calvert, Treasurer; Jonathan M. Bennett, 1st Auditor; Wm. A. Moncure, 2nd Auditor; Stafford A. Parker, Register of the Land Office; James F. Pendleton, Superintendent of the Penitentiary; Robert M. Nimmo, Storekeeper of the Penitentiary; and Wm. F. Ritchie, Public Printer.

Nothing else of interest.

Thursday. Senate. Among the resolutions offered was one by Mr. Stuart, as to incorporating a company with a capital stock not exceeding $10,000, to construct and manage a public bathing establishment in the town of Staunton.

House.—No business of importance. [The Democratic Convention being in session, the business of both houses is somewhat suspended.]

On Friday and Saturday a number of bills of no general interest were passed.

The Post Office Bill.—The President having approved of the Post Office bill, it is therefore now a law. As amended previous to its passage it appropriates $4,002,096 for supplying the deficiency in the revenue and defraying the expenses of the Department for the year ending with June last; and toward the support of the Department for the fiscal year ending in June next, $4,000,000, and a further sum of $2,400,000 in payment of the salaries of the officers and clerks, transportation of mails, wrapping paper, bags, stamps, etc. Interest at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum, to commence sixty days after the expiration of the quarter in which the service was rendered, but in no case prior to the 1st of May, 1859, to the present date, shall be paid on all sums found due the contractors for carrying the mails—the interest to be paid only to the contractors themselves in full of all damages by reason of the failure or delay in their payment. No interest is to be allowed on payments for the last quarter, ending with December last. A sum for this purpose is also appropriated.