Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-06-04
VIRGINIA CONVENTION.

Department Several immaterial additions and
curtailmen,s were made, but the only amendment,
of importance adopted, was one requiring all bills
originating in either House to be read three times
on three several days, unless dispensed with by a
vote of twothirds of the number of representatives
elect. Attempt was made TO have regular afler'
noon session, but it did not succeed.
TUEsDAY.-The Convention in committee OF the
Whole, was still occupied with the consideration
of the report of the committee upon the Legislative
Department. After discussion, the l2lh section
was so amended as to provide that the Legislature
shall pass no law emancipaling slaves now living
or hereafter born.
Various amendments were proposed to the l5th
section, but most of them was voted down. those
adopted were immaterial in their character. As
so amended, the section then passed. 1t provides
that jurisdiction over divorces, change Of Names
sales Of infants esates &c., shall be vested in the
Courts.
WEDNEspAY-Whent the Convention met, on mo-
lion of Mr. Muscoe Garnet, resolution was adopted
authorizing the appointment Of a committee OF five
to enquire upon what terms The Supplement may be
discontinued.
The Convention then resolved itself into Com
mittee Of the Whole, and resumed the consideration
of the Report upon the Legislative Department
.Ne1o Co,lnties-Ihe 18th section was adopted
which provides that no new county shall be formed
with less area than 00square miles. In no case
shall the population of the county out of which il
is formed be reduced below 1000 while inhabitants
1t was excepted, however, that where county ia
so miles long, and its length three times the
BREADTH it may be divided without regard either Ia
its area or population.
The 18th section was next adopted. 1t provides
that the Legislature shall pass no law which en-
braces more than one subject, and that to be dis
tnctly embraced in its title. And further, that no
law shall be enacted by reference 10 the title Of
or any section in any other law, but The whole oil
it shall be expressed in the act ITSELF
The 10th section as adopted gives power to the
Legislature 10 pass law prohibiting any person
concerned in duel from holding office under the
Commonwealth An Intellectual attempt was made
so 10 amend il as to make it Constitutional prohl-
bition. A saving clause was inserted in favor Of
those who have heretofore offended.
The 9Th section was passed over for the present
without being considered.
The 18th section, providing that all elections
should be viva voce, was adopted.
The Convention then adjourned.
THURsDAY.-Ihe Convention resolved itself in
to Committee Of the Whole, and resumed the
consideration of The Report upon the Legislative
department.
Several amendments were proposed TO the Sd and
4th articles which relate to the removal Of free ne
groes from the State, and the subject Of taxation
and The public debt-but some objections TO their
immediate consideration being suggested, they were
passed over for the present. Asu, an amendment
offered by Mr.. Goode, in relation to corporations,
with a subsequent amendment proposed by Mr. Van
Winkle-and an amendment Offered by Mr. Cam
den in relation to the mode Of calling Conventions
by the Legislature in future, were passed over.
The section of the Report fixing the number re-
quired TO constitute jury, in all cases at IL, was
rejected. No number whatever was agreed upon.
The Committee then rose.
Mr.. Beale offered a resolution providing that the
Convention should adjourn on the-day of June
to meet at-place. An amendment was offered
that it adjourn until the--day of SEPTEMBER
The resolution and amendment were, for the pres
eni. laid on the table.
The Convention again resolved itself into Com
mit,ee of the Whole, and engaged in the consider
alton of the Bill of Rights. The 9th section was
so amended as to declare that call elections shall be
free," instead ofall elections Of members to serve
as representatives Of the people in Assembly ought
to be free"
On motion of Mr.. Floyd, the llth section was
amended so as to require twelve men 10 constitute
jury in civil cases.
FRIDAY.-Mr. Morris presented the proceedings
of meeting of the people Of Hanover in opposition
to the Compromise, and in favor Of the principle Of
the Mixed basis.
Mr. McC0mas presented the proceedings OF
meeting of The people of Cahel in favor of the
White or suffrage basis, or The submission Of the
question 10 The qualified voters the Stale. In The
event of failure of these plans, they instruct their
delegates to withdraw from the Convention or u
mite with other Western gentlemen and form sep
arate Constitution.
Mr.. McComas said, that il, upon enquiry, he
should ascertain that The meeting had taken such
action after the news Of the passage of The Com
promise had reached The county, he should move
reconsideration of the vote and 60 against the
Compromise.
The Convention then went into G ommittee of
the Whole, and proceeded to consider the report
upon the Right Of Suffrage. A motion was made
to strike out the LIST section, and insert MIR. Ed
wards substitute. which requires that every one
shall be assessed with State and county tax be-
fore he shall be qualified 10 vote. After debate,
the motion was rejected.
Mr. NJ. Garrett moved TO amend by requiring
the imposition of Stale or County tax. This mo-
ton gave rise TO considerable debate. Messrs. Hill,
Davis, Cox and Seymour advocated Tax qualif-
cation, and Messrs. Bolts, Wise, Sloan, Floyd and
Caperton opposed It.
Mr. Cox moved an amendment TO the amend
ment requiring all who asses ed 10 pay tax be-
fore voting. Mr.. Rives sustained the amendment,
and Messrs. Ferguson and Armstrong opposed it.
Both the amendments were rejected.
Mr.. Blue offered substitute for the lst section,
but subsequently Withdrew it, which required res
dence of IL months in the STATE, and Gin the coun-
ty to entille person 10 vote.
Mr.. Bolts moved an amendment providing that
where man moves TO another county IN the same
district, he shall not thereby lose his right TO vote.
He afterwards withdrew it.
He then moved to strike out that part of the Re-
port which requires ttco years residence in The
State and insert one in lieu thereof Motion reject
ed.
The Committee then rose and the Convention
adjourned.
SAruRDAY.-The resolution of Mr.. Williams of
Shenandoah, in relation to The Convention taking
recess, was taken up and rejected. Ayes i. noes
II,
Mr.. NJ. Garrett offered resolution that in the
event Of The Convention adjourning from the city of
Richmond TO any nther place, the members thereof
shall receive no additional mileage. Laid upon the
table.
Mr.. Wise moved to take up the resolution Offer
ed by Mr.. Beale on Thursday, TO renove the sit
tngs of the Convention from Richmond. Mega
lived ayes 80; noes AZ.
On motion, the Convention resolved itself into
Committee of the Whole (Mr. Shelley in the
Chair,) upon the report ofthe Committee on the
Right Of Suffrage.
When the Committee rose on yesterday, an a.
mendment offered by Mr.. Bolts, was pending. to
secure the rghtof suffrage to any voter who might
remove from one part ola Congressional or Senate