Extra Session, 1862
MONDAY, January 12th, 1863.
Prayer by Rev. Henry Woods, of the Presbyterian Church.
The following communication was received from the Senate:
"SENATE CHAMBER,
Jan. 10, 1863.
The Senate this day passed the following bill, in which they ask the concurrence of the House of Delegates:
No. 18, Senate Bill, entitled "An Act to authorize Charles B. Waggoner, Trustee, to sell certain property in Mason county."
They have also passed.
No. 14, House Bill, entitled "An Act authorizing the County Court of Marshall county, to re-assess two hundred and six acres of land in Marshall county, belonging to Spencer Biddle."
Senate Bill No. 18, reported above, was taken up, read the first and second times, and thereupon the bill was committed.
The Chairman of the Committee of Finance referred adverse to Senate Bill No. 5, entitled "An Act increasing the compensation of Collectors of the Public Revenue."
The Chairman of the Committee for Schools and Colleges, reported in favor of the Joint Resolution heretofore reported to them "that the Auditor be directed to loan to the Trustees of the Trustees of the West Liberty Academy the sum of five thousand dollars, &c." The Resolution was laid on the table.
Resolved, That the Committee on Finance be requested to enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill for the relief of Samuel S. Lockney, late commissioner of the revenue for the 1st district of Barbour county, for the year 1861.
Mr. Hooton offered the following Joint Resolution, which, on his motion, was laid on the table and made the order of the day for Saturday next at 10 o'clock, A. M.
Resolved, By the General Assembly of Virginia, that our Senators in Congress be instructed and our Representatives be requested to sustain the Administration in all its efforts to put down this uncalled for and unholy rebellion.
2. Resolved, That the Governor be requested to communicate the foregoing resolution to our Senators and Representatives in Congress.
On motion of Mr. Smith,
Resolved, That the Committee on Roads and Internal Navigation inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill declaring Dent's Run, in the County of Marion, a public highway.
On motion of Mr. Smith,
Resolved, That the Committee of Courts of Justice enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill providing against frauds in elections.
Mr. Smith presented a petition of sundry citizens of Dent's Run, praying that it be made a public highway, which was referred to the Committee on Roads and Internal Navigation.
On motion of Mr. Zinn,
Resolved, That so much of the Governors Message as relates to the passage of some law authorizing him to have rebels captured and held as hostages in order to secure the release of loyal persons held in confinement by rebels, be referred to the committee of Courts of Justice and that they be requested to enquire into the propriety of reporting a bill giving such authority.
Mr. West presented a petition of sundry soldiers, citizens of Wetzel county praying the extension of the stay law.
Mr. Kramer presented a petition of sundry citizens of Monongalia county praying an extension of the stay law.
Mr. Bumgarner presented a petition of sundry citizens of Mason county opposing the extension of the stay law, all of which were appropriately referred.
On motion of Mr. Kramer,
Resolved, That the committee on Privileges and Elections be instructed to enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill changing the time for holding elections for the year 1863.
On motion of Mr. Smith,
Resolved, That the committee on Roads and Internal Navigation enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill placing so much of the Maryland and Ohio Turnpike as lies between the town of Mannington and the Mill of Charles Gooch in said county under the control of the County Court of said county.
On motion of Mr. Michael,
Resolved, That the committee on Courts of Justice enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill legalizing the appointment of an Administrator of the person estate of Solomon Michael deceased late of Hardy County.
On motion of Mr. Ruffner,
Resolved, That the committee for Courts of Justice enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill for the relief Wm. Dickinson of the County of Kanawha.
On motion of Mr. Barker,
Resolved, That the committee on military affairs enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill providing for the relief of the destitute families in West Virginia.
Engrossed House Bill No, 43, "A Bill for the relief of Elisha Morgan of the county of Wetzel from certain liabilities" was taken up, and thereupon on motion of Mr. West, the vote ordering the bill to its engrossment was reconsidered, when on his motion it was laid on the table.
The unfinished business at the hour of adjournment on Saturday last being Engrossed House Bill No. 41 was taken up, and the question be on the passage of the bill, the vote was recorded as follows:
YEAS----Messrs. Barker, Bumgarner, Fast, Hawxhurst, Hale, Hooton, Michael, Kitchen, Powell, Swan, Wheat, Wright---12.
NAYS---Messrs. Porter (Speaker) Boreman, Bowyer, Crothers, Davidson, Davis, Farnsworth, Kramer, Keeney, Logan, Myers, Parsons, Patrick, Ruffner, Smith, Vance, Wilson, Williamson of Wirt, Zinn---19.
The following communication from the Executive was received and read.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
WHEELING, VA., Jan. 12, 1863.
To the House of Delegates of Virginia:
GENTLEMEN:----In reply to your resolution passed on the 10th inst., enquiring what steps have been taken to secure the release of James H. Trout, Esq., of Hampshire County, who was captured by the rebels in August and taken to Richmond and is still held as a prisoner; I have the honor to report that I took early measures through the proper department at Washington to procure his release, and while I have as yet received no definite information on the subject, I feel hopeful that it will be accomplished.
F. H. PEIRPOINT.
On motion, of Mr. Downey, the rules were suspended, and thereupon he offered the following resolution:
Resolved, A committee of be appointed to wait upon the Governor and request him to furnish this House with all the information he may possess in relation to the arrest and detention by the Confederate authorities of Jas. H. Trout, a member of this body and what steps have been taken to obtain his release.
Mr. Farnsworth moved the following substitute which together with the above resolution, was on motion of Mr. Logan, referred to the committee for Courts of Justice.
Whereas, It is known to the General Assembly that evil disposed persons, and others under the influence and orders of the rebel government, have recently entered Western Virginia seized, and carried away citizens into the so called Southern Confederacy, and there detain them, and unless this system of kidnapping be promptly checked such conduct will continue and increase to the manifest oppression of our citizens and for remedy thereof,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia, That the Governor of this Commonwealth is hereby authorized and requested in all cases of the seizure of the persons of loyal citizens of the State by any parties acting under the authority of the so-called Southern Confederacy, the pretended State Government at Richmond, or other military organization acting in sympathy or concert with them or either of them to seize and hold as hostages for the safe rendition of such person or persons so seized and held, so many persons sympathizing with the rebellion as in his discretion may be necessary to effect said rendition.
Mr. Patrick moved to pass by the business to take up the Senate joint resolution in reference to the election of a U.S. Senator, and the question being put, it was determined in the negative.
Engrossed House Bill No. 36, "A Bill amending an act entitled 'an act imposing taxes for the support of the Government, passed April 3d, 1861'" was taken up, and thereupon on motion of Mr. Wilson it was laid on the table.
Mr. Crothers moved to take up Senate Bill No. 12, "A Bill to exonerate persons from the payment of militia fines for the year 1861," and the question being put, it was determined in the negative.
On motion of Mr. Parsons, the House adjourned.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: January 1863