Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-07-16
VIRGINIA CONVENTION

MoNDAY, JULY 7rH-Taxation was the sub
isct of discussion. Mr.. Chiton spoke In favor Of
taxation per capita MIR. Faulkner urged the ad
rnIoren, system. Mr.. Faulkner's substitute was
reiec,ed. Mr. Wise then moved to fiji he blank
in his own scheme, SD as to provide that capita
lion tax shall be laid on all males over 81 years OF
ace which shall not exceed in amount the tax
paid on $500 worth of land. He spoke-in favor
of the motion till the adjournment.
TuEspAY.-Mr. Wise concluded his remarks in
support of his scheme of taxation. Mr. Faulkner
followed on the other side Alter further remarks
by various members, the proposition OF MI WISE
was so modified as TO provide for capItatlon lax
as TO the State at large free males, and exclu-
ding such tax as to counties and then further mod
flied, on motion of Mr.. Summers. so as to provide
for the assessment of ad ualore tax upon slaves
as upJn land and the amendment as amended be-
ing ordered 10 be printed for the use Of the Conven
.ion, the House adjourned.
WEpNgspAY.-Mr. Randolph gave his reasons
for not voting for reconsideration Of the "Com-
promise :" in accordance with instructions from his
constituents Mr.. Wingfield then moved re-
consideration of the vote by which The "ComPro
misen was adopted, in pursuance The notice Civ
en- by him. Mr.. Voolfolk moved that the Con-
yention adjourn 10 the first Monday of December,
in order that members might have full opportunity
to ascertain the wishes Of their constituents.
protracted discussion ensued upon the motion, which
seems 10 have been finally passed over without
vote. The vote was then taken on Mr.. Wing
fields motion and it was rejecied-yeas 81, nays
62.
In Committee of the Whole on The Legislative
report, an amendment proposed by MIR. Goode was
adopted and also the ad ya!orem system of taxa
ton to certain extent The following provso
offered by Mr.. Bolts was adopted provided that
moety Of the capitation tax on white persons
shall be applied exclusively to the purposes Of Ed
ucation in Primary and Free Schools"
THURsDAy-NIr. Bolts moved an amendment
which was subsequently adopted, preventing the
passage by the Legislature. Of any law for the in
corp,raIion Of Churches or Religious Societies.
On motion of MIR. Lyons, the rule adopted on
Wednesday, prohibiting debate upon any proposi-
ton during the consideration OF The Legislative
Report, was repealed, and speeches Of len minutes
length in the Committee allowed.
Sundry amendments were then adopted to the
report Of The Legislative Committee, after which,
the Committee rose, and the House adjourned.
FR,p,Y.-The liquidation of Stale debt was a.
Gain under consideration. Amendments proposing
to leave the matter entirely tn Legislative dscre-
ton. were voted down. Finally the Committee
adopted the sixth section of the report, which pro-
vides for sinking fund created by the annual APP
preparation Of seven per cent, SIX OF which s tn
paw The interest of The present debt, and one per
cent. 10 be appropriated for the gradual liquidation
Of said debt. For all prospective Indebtedness Of
the Commonwealth eight per cent. is TO be laid a.
side, and to be appropriated as above.
Sections declaring that the Legislature hereafter
shall create no debt on behalf of the State, without
making sure provision for the payment of The same;
also forSidding the guarantee OF the bonds OF any
internal improvement company or corporation here
after by the State, were adopted.
The efforts TO make constitutional provision Ter
the completion of the Central Roilroad To the Ohio
and also for the completion of the James River i'm
provement, proved Intellectual.
The final sections of the report making provIs
ion for the registry Of VOTERS, was SO amended as
to provide for The registry of all marriages. births
and deaths Of white persons, and the births and
deaths of negroes. After which, the Committee
rose, and the House adjourned.
SArUnDAY.-The Committee ofihe Whole were
directed to report to the Convention the Legislative
Report, and was discharged from the further con-
sideraton of new subj Gets. The Bill OF Rights as
reported from the Committee, was adopted after
some slight amendments.
The indications are that the Convention will
certainly close its labors by the LIST of August. In
this event the constitution will be submitted at
once 10 the people, and the elections will take place
in October