On motion of Mr. Montague, the bill was amended by striking out in the 22d line the words "neither said county court nor the judge," and inserting "the said county courts or judges." The bill was ordered to be engrossed to be read a third time. Mr. Williams moved a reconsideration of the vote by which the bill was ordered to be engrossed to be read a third time, which was rejected. Messages were received from the senate by Messrs. Taylor and Nowlin, who informed the house that the senate had agreed to joint resolutions asking the return to the senate of No. 172. Senate bill entitled an act to repcal section 41 of chapter 86, Code of 1873, in relation to exportations or sale, without inspection, of flour, corn meal, bread, salt, fish, pork, beef, tar, pitch, turpentine, butter, lard, lumber, &c.; and No. 177. House bill entitled an act to prescribe the times for holding the terms of the circuit courts of this Commonwealth, and to repeal the 15th section of the 155th chapter of Code of 1873, which authorizes the judges of said courts to fix said terms. Special order No. 61. House bill in relation to the interest on money, again came up. On motion of Mr. B. W. Lacy, the special order was postponed until to-morrow immediately after the morning hour. On motion of Mr. Brooks, the house adjourned until to-morrow at 11 o'clock A. M. THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1874. Prayer by Rev. Dr. C. H. Read, of the Presbyterian church. A communication from the senate, by their clerk, was read as follows: In Senate, March 4, 1874. The senate have passed bills entitled An act to authorize the township board of Western Branch township, Norfolk county, to make a special levy for the costs of rebuilding Scott's creek or causeway; No. 156. An act in relation to the records of Alexandria county; No. 161. An act to authorize the board of school trustees of King & Queen county to sell the Smithfield tract of land in said county; No. 189. An act to incorporate the Bank of Jacksonville; No. 198. And An act to extend the time within which the township collectors of the counties of Wise and Buchanan may return their delinquent lists for the years eighteen hundred and seventy-two and eighteen hundred and seventy-three; No. 203. In which bills they respectfully request the concurrence of the house of delegates. No. 156. Senate bill, was read twice and referred to the committee on roads and internal navigation. Nos. 161 and 189. Senate bills, were read twice and referred to the committee for courts of justice. No. 198. Senate bill, was read twice and referred to the committee on banks and commerce. No. 203. Senate bill, was read twice and referred to the committee on finance. The following senate joint resolutions were agreed to: Resolved, That the house of delegates be respectfully requested to return to the senate senate bill No. 172, entitled "An act to repeal section 41 of chapter 86, Code of 1873, in relation to exportations or sale, without inspection, of flour, corn meal, bread, salt, fish, pork, beef, tar, pitch, turpentine, butter, lard, lumber, &c." Resolved, That the house of delegates be requested to return to the senate house bill No. 177, entitled "An act to prescribe the times for holding the terms of the circuit courts of this Commonwealth, and to repeal the 15th section of the 155th chapter of Code of 1873, which authorizes the judges of said courts to fix said terms." Motions (severally made) by Mr. Critz to reconsider the votes by which the senate joint resolutions were agreed to, were rejected. Ordered, That Mr. Blair inform the senate that the house have agreed to the joint resolutions of the senate, and they return the bills asked for to the senate. The following senate bills were reported from the committee on counties, cities and towns: No. 160. Senate bill entitled an act to prescribe the pay of road commissioners in Nelson county for 1874, 1875 and 1876. No. 183. Senate bill entitled an act to authorize the councils of Norfolk city to use, hold, sell, lease and dispose of a certain tract, or parcel of land, in Norfolk county, belonging to said city. The following senate bills were reported from the committee on privileges and elections: No. 32. Senate bill entitled an act to provide for a new registration in Alexandria city and county. No. 180. Senate bill entitled an act to provide for purging the registration books of illegal voters. No. 6. Senate bill entitled an act to provide for a general registration of voters of the city of Petersburg. No. 124. House bill entitled an act to amend and re-enact sections six and nine and to repeal section seven of an act to incorporate the New York and Norfolk railroad company, approved March 15, 1872, and to make further provisions in regard to the charter of said company, was reported from the committee on roads and internal naviga tion, with a recommendation that the house agree to the first, second and third and disagree to the fourth amendment of the senate. No. 258. House bill to establish a corporation court for the city of Manchester, reported from the committee for courts of justice, was read a first time. No. 259. House bill to amend the charter of the Matoaco manufacturing company in the county of Chesterfield, reported from the committee on manufactures and mechanic arts, was read a first time. The following reports were agreed to: The committee on roads and internal navigation have had under consideration a petition of citizens of Bedford and Franklin counties, 'asking that the charter of the Otter bridge company be repealed, report that, in their opinion, remedies against the complaints are in the hands of the courts, and they ask to be discharged from its further consideration. The committe on roads and internal navigation have had under consideration a report of the board of public works, containing "a statement of the stocks in and claims against internal improvement companies held by the Commonwealth May 1, 1865, showing what disposition has been made of them; if sold, to whom sold, at what price, and by what authority; also, what amount of said stocks and claims are still held by the Commonwealth," in response to a resolution of the committee, and they recommend that the report be laid on the table and printed. The committee on finance having under consideration a petition from the citizens of Rockingham, praying the passage of a bill authorizing sheriffs to take charge of all sales of land under a decree of court, &c., beg leave to be discharged from its further consideration, and that it be referred to committee for courts of justice. Mr. Holbrook stated that had he been present he would have voted against the substitute to No. 105 house bill to amend and re-enact sections 3, 4, 6 and 12 of chapter 154 of the Code of 1873, in relation to the jurisdiction of county courts, and for the bill, but had pared off with Mr. Gaines, Leave of absence was granted Messrs. Brooks one day, Powell and Goodwyn two days each, Norton three days, and Lipscomb five days. Mr. Hudgin (under a suspension of the rules) offered the following resolution : Resolved, That the committee for courts of justice be instructed to report a bill empowering the county courts to try all cases of felony except where the accused may be punished with death or confinement in the penitentiary for a term of eighteen years. On motion of Mr. Critz, the resolution was amended by striking out the words "be instructed to report," and inserting "inquire into the expediency of reporting." The resolution as amended was agreed to. The following were presented and referred under rule 37: By Mr. Jack Carter: A bill to amend and re-enact section 54 of chapter 78 of the Code of 1873, in relation to the condemnation of lands for school-houses. Referred to committee for courts of justice. By Mr. Flood: Petition of A. A. North, of Appomattox county, praying to be released from the payment of a forfeited bail-bond. Referred to committee for courts of justice. By Mr. Rogers: A bill to amend section 25, chapter 97 of Code 1873, in relation to fences. Referred to committee for courts of justice. By Mr. Allen: Petition of the members of the bar of Botetourt county, asking for an increase of sheriffs' fees. Referred to committee. on finance. By Mr. Ould: Petition to make valid a deed of trust executed by the trustees of the "Baptist Sunday school association of Richmond and its vicinity." Referred to committee for courts of justice. By Mr. Armstrong: Resolved, That the committee on finance inquire into the expediency of paying to George Eagle the sum of $235, for work done on the Staunton and Parkersburg road. The morning hour having expired, special order No. 105. House bill to amend and re-enact sections 3, 4, 6 and 12 of chapter 154 of the Code of 1873, in relation to the jurisdiction of county courts, came up. The bill was read a third time and passed. Mr. Critz moved a reconsideration of the vote by which the bill was passed, which was rejected. Ordered, That Mr. Coghill carry the bill to the senate and request their concurrence. Special order No. 61. House bill in relation to the interest on money, came up. On motion of Mr. Coghill, the special order was postponed for half an hour. The following house engrossed bills were taken up out of their order on the calendar, read a third time and passed: No. 137. House engrossed bill providing a charter for the city of Manchester. No. 223. House engrossed bill to amend first section of an act approved March 29, 1871, concerning the town of Columbia, Fluvanna county. Mr. Magruder moved a reconsideration of the vote by which house bill No. 223 was passed, which was rejected. Mr. Brooks moved a reconsideration of the vote by which house bill No. 137 was passed, which was rejected. No. 37. Senate bill entitled an act to amend and re-enact the first section of chapter two hundred of the Code of Virginia (edition of eighteen hundred and seventy-three), in relation to grand juries, was, on motion of Mr. Coghill, taken up out of its order on the calendar. Mr. Coghill moved that the house insist on its amendments, and ask for a committee of conference to consist of two on the part of the senate and three on the part of the house, which was agreed to. Mr. Coghill moved a reconsideration of the vote by which the house insist on its amendments and ask for a committee of conference, which was rejected. Ordered, That Mr. Coghill inform the senate of the action of the house of delegates, and request their concurrence. The following house bills were, on motions by Mr. Coghill, taken up out of their order on the calendar, read a second time, and ordered to be engrossed to be read a third time: No. 106. House bill to amend and re-enact the 31st section of the 108th chapter of the Code of 1873, relative to proceedings on a caveat. No. 107. House bill to amend and re-enact section 13 of chapter 123 of the Code of 1873, relative to the power of circuit and corporation courts over guardians and wards. No. 109. House bill to amend and re-enact section two of chapter 9, and section two of chapter 155 of the Code of 1873, in reference to the jurisdiction of circuit courts. No. 110. House bill to amend and re-enact the 23d section of chapter 158 of the Code of 1873, in reference to special juries. No. 176. House bill for the relief of the estate of William M. Hume, deceased, late sheriff of Fauquier, and his sureties, was, On motion of Mr. Henderson, taken up out of its order on the calendar. The bill was read a second time and ordered to be engrossed to be read a third time. No. 108. House bill to amend and re-enact section one of chapter 153 of Code of 1873, in reference to writs of habeas corpus, was, On motions by Mr. Coghill, taken up out of its order on the calendar and dismissed. No. 13. Senate bill entitled an act to provide for the registration of the voters of the city of Lynchburg, was, On motion of Mr. A. J. Clark, taken up out of its order on the calendar. The bill was read a third time and passed. Special order No. 61. House bill in relation to the interest on money, again came up. Mr. A. J. Clark moved to lay the bill on the table, which was rejected-yeas 47; nays 50. On motion of Mr. Powell, the vote was recorded as follows: YEAS-Messrs. Alexander, Blair, Branch, A. J. Clark, Matt Clark, Critz, Davis, Dooley, Foster, Franklin, Gilman, Hale, Hamilton, Harris, Hill, Hoenniger, Wm. Hoskins, Hudgin, Jett, R. S. Jones, J. H. Lacy, Lee, Lovenstein, Loving, Lucas, May, McGonigal, Moore, Morris, Moss, J. L. Nash, W. A. Nash, Nickens, O'Neal, Ould, Powell, Round, Scruggs, Strother, Swann, Syphax, Taylor, Turner, Wallace, Wharton, Whittaker, and Withers-47. NAYS-Messrs. Armentrout, Armstrong, Bagwell, Banks, Bickings, Brown, Campbell, J. A. Carter, Cockerille, Coghill, Crank, Fitzpatrick, Flood, Fulkerson, |