Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-07-23

IL in the negative.
Tho Chair announced that no quorum was
voting, but that he was satistiota quorum was
present, and would therefore again take the
vote
a division being again called for, the motion
to lay upon the table was not agreed to-ayes
IS, noes 81.
The question then occurred on the adoption
Of the first resolution.
Mr. SHgFFEY Il rise to 4 point Of order The
subject before the Convention was reconmis-
ted to the Committee, and, US far as know,
without instruction.. 1t was suggested by the
| gentleman from Augus:a, (Mr. BALDwIN,) that
hs would not vote upon any measure for the
oXpulsion Of members without evidence; but
the simple order Of tho Convention wss to re-
! commit the report to tho Committee. Now
wauld like to know what We have to do with
the matter. Again. after that disposition of
the report, Mr.. RAYMOND, the Chairman o.
the Committee, rendered his resignation, or
rather asked leave TO be discharged from fur.
theT service upon the Committee; aud since
| that tir.e atn not aware that there has been
any meeting of the same. There is an additional
| fact which may be mentioned in this connec-
| ton; and that Is. that several of the witnesses
before the Committee have lott the city, ana
it is impossible for US to obtain the evidence
which was presented. The question of order
is, tbs: under these circumstances the subject
is not nov properly before the Convention
The PRESIDENT Chair understands
that the report came from the Committee
Mr.. HAvMoSD.-l do not understand that the
report was ever re.commitiad 1T ALL 1t was
simply laid upon the table.
The PREslDENT-T Chair will correct the
proceedings The subject was laid upcn the
table, and consequently it is co!npotout for the
Convention to take it 1herefrom and act upon
! MIR CAErEE.-The question now is, upon
! the adopting the first resolution. | voted for
/ the motion 10 lay upon The table Hhen It was
! originally made; but ana now satisfied that
there is sufficient testimony in t!.c knowledge
! Of the members Of this Convention 10 justify
the expulsion Of these men from this body, and
/ the suspension of their payment Fin order,
. therefore, move that the report he confirmed.
Mr.. HAYMoSD-As chairman Of The commit.
! zee, | wish to make short statement 10 the
Convention. desire TO remark that to-day is
; the Grst time have known ANYTHING about
the order which has been alluded to by the
gentleman from Fanq1ier. know the report
hat! been laid upon the table, but | was never
! furnished with any resolution or order Of this
House directing the co@nttec to report the
evidence which had been laid before it. In
! Justification ef the committee and myself,
would remark further, that The gentleman who
! gave The evidence appeared before us and IL
was chiefly oral testimony. The question was
raised whether it should be taken doTn, hut
the committee decided that i. should not be
reported III detail. One of the members, how
ever, did take and note the substance Of the
evidence in regard 10 each Of these parties, and
that memorandum is, presume, still in exist
eEce It it be the pleasure of tho House TO
require the committee 10 present this evidence,
am sure there will be no hesitation in doing
/ 50.
Mr.. FlSnER--Does any gentleman of this
| Convention require further evidence Of the
treason Of these men who are proposed to be
! expelled, than that which may be gathered
| from the puulic papers and the knowledge OF
| those who lire III the vicinity? You can get
Witnesses. If you desire it but VIC know sufi.
cientiy of the facts as they ere published in
| the Wheeling "Intelligenccr," and other papers
in the Vicinity; and do not believe there is
gentleman in this Convention who is not
satisfied that most, if not ell of these men, are
acting and CO operating with g reasonable
Contention to dissolve the State Of Virginia.
I would not do Injustice to any man, aad if
these gentlemen Stall hereafter come before
this body, and satisfy us that they have been
ur;ustly charged, by the report OF this Com.
nn.tee, there is 10 person who will bc more
| read; or willing tnan myself TO rcsclnd the
! order of expulsion. In the absence, how
ever, OF persons with w!:on they are G!-
I rectly connected, how arc yoG to set such tes-
] tirnQnY as srlne gentleGnea in this body require
before giving their votes! We cannot expect
10 ACQUIRE tue evidence that would be ncces.
.sary in court 10 convict O person of tTsason.
! Ii it could be obtained, would certainly Gr
Glad to have it, but in IL absence
am willing to depend upon the current facts
| circulated IN the newspapers. and especially in
those published in the Immediate vicinity Of
| the residence Of these men. If you expect
ANYTHING in addition 10 this or 70 the oral tcs
timony which was heard before the Committee,
take it for granted you will never obtain il;
and the consequence viii! be that while &c arc
waiting to obtain more reliable facts, VIC shnll
be compelled to endure the rrproaclr Of listen
| inc to tho cnll of the names Of members Of this
BODY whom We arc we'll satisfied arc acting
contrary to the interests Of Virginia, or, ifyou
please to call it 80 are open traitors 70 the
State.
Is there any man who doubts that McPorter
and Hubbard and others whose names are,
mentioned in this report are traitors: Then
WHY not trust to the committee who have
acred in the capacity of jury cInpannc'!cd III
in court Of justice, a0G, believe, have
treated in all fairness the evidence addrced
before them? They have g iren their decision,
and will you 60 behind their findings when
thc facts are SO patent tnat every mcn'ocr Of
this Convention must be satisfied that these
persons are traito=Se hope, therefore, that
the Convention will now sct upon this report
without asking !or what it is Impossible TO nb:
tain, the parole Of testimony given before sho
committee being sufficient fer every purpose
TO convict of treason thc parties in question,
Mr.. ScoTr-I do not see for what reason The
gentleman from Northampton can suppose that
the proposition, enquiring Tor this evidence,
can be construed nto a reflection upon tho
committee. I have never knnTn case o. con-
tested election, where n House bad to s't IN
Judgment upon the qualifications Of voter. IN
the absence Of testimony. understand, that
when this report was made by the camm'ttee,
it. was founded upon the evidence OF competent
witnesses. understand, also, that It was IN
the shape CT e1 pGrte statements; and !car;s!asy
cannot imagine that any one would discover q
reflection upon the integrity Or intelligence "t
the committee. in simple motion directing
that they report the testimony in their posses
sion.
have no sympathy with the members des
ignated in that report. No gentleman upon
this floor condemns thcm more strongly than
do, and there is no one here more ready than
I am 20 place the censure, Of an order Of cXpul
sion, upon them. But rs the. conduct has been
so notorious suppose there would be no dill.
Guilty in obtaining sufficient testimony, in the
shape Of afiiasit$, to convict them OF the "f.
fences with which they are charged in the re-
pert. In -ospec!'to mo greater portion, am
satisfied witt, the testimony Of the public
prints and Of pnGiic runors, AID, ! readily
concede, that they deserve expulsion; but, IN
- ,Ih inform. cti.1. !. h1: un