Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-02-16
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
[cALIED aEssEos.l
SATURDAY, Feb. 18th, 1863.
Prayer by Rev. SAMUEL BARSs. of the II

Paxton, OF Ohio, appeared in their seats.
Mr.. LANB offered resolutions referring |
subjects coming before the Convention to |
appropriate Committees so as to expedited
the transaction of business. One was for |!
instructipg the Committee on Revision and !
Bngrossment to report an ordinance reg
ulating the first election under the new |
Constitution for members of the Legisla-
ture and county officers, and fixing the |
time of holding it and for the Legislature
to assemble. Another was for referring |
the acts of the General Assembly of Vir- |
GINA at its late session, to the same COM
rnittee to consider aud report what action,
II any, is needed in regard to them; and !
third instructed the same committee to |
report an address to the people of West
Virginia explaining the measures adopted
by this Convention, the reasons for the
same, and examining and refuting the
objections to tue erection of the new
State.
The resolutions were adopted.
Mr. Ollie presented the resignation of
the Sergeant-at-A Arms, Sir. James G. Orr, of
Wheeling 1t was accepted.
Mr.. ACCUTcHEN presented the credentials
of Andrew w. Mann, claiming seat from
Greenbrier.
The credentials consisted of petition
signed by fifty citizens of Greenbrier pray
ing Mr. MNnn's admission to seat,
Mr. McCUTCHEG said he knew many of
the signers, aud knew them to be citizens
OF that county, and good, loyal men.
Mr. MANN was admitted and came for.
| ward and assumed the oath of Office.
Mr. STEVENSON, of Wood, offered res
olutton to require every person before
voting on the amended constitution to
take an oath to support the constitution of
hkA Init nNS fafE l.. Z.
ganized government of Virginia, excepting
those who have already taken that obliga1
ton.
Referred to the Committee on Revision.
On motion of Mr.. Brown, of Preston, the,
Convention proceeded to the election of
Sergeant
Mr. Parsons nominated Henry Starch
man. @ ylr,sE g.
Mr. HALL nominated William NJ. Dun.
nington.
Mr.. SrARcuMAS was elected, and being
present entered at once upon the duties Of
the office.
Mr.. VAN WINKLE, chairmau ofthe special
committee to inquire into the subject of
compensation to the owners of slaves
emancipated by the amendment proposed
to the Constitution by the act of Congress,
presented q lengthy report from that com
mlttee, expressing the opinion that COM
! pensation must be made in compliance
with express provisions of both the Con-
stitutiOn of the United States and of the
proposed new State, which declare tina:
private property shall not be taken for pub.
IiO use without just compensation, and
that no person shall be deprived of life,
liberty or property in time of peace with
out due process of law, and that whether
any provision on the subject were incor-
1 in he
the owners of emancipated slaves would
have the right to demand compensation,
and could sustain the demand in the courts:
and recommending that nothing on the
subject should be added to the Constitu.
| ton, but that deClaratory resolution en-
braoed IN the report be adopted as the
opinion of the Convention; of the constitu-
tional necessity of compensation.
The report embraced resolution max
ing the amendment to the Constitution
suggested by Congress, and the declaratory
resolution referred to. -
Mr.. VAN WINKLE moved the adoption of
the report.
Ma. STEVENSON, of Wood, said he would
like to vote upon them separately, He
moved to divide and take the vote on tho
first resolution, Incorporating the amend
ment TO the Constitution. On that rcso-
luton he imagined there would be but
little if any difference of opinion; on the
oth0r there was good deal
/ Mr.. WILLEY thought there was no obiec-
ton to considering the two together. The
adoption of the first was the regular bust
ness for which they had met. That of the
other would practically ambunt to notbino
but an expression of opinion. 1t PROMISED
no change in the Constitution. It was a
sort of compromise, by which those anx-
lous on the subject of compensation
would support the adoption Of tho amend
ment, while the friends of the amendment
Fisked nothing at all by this mere expres-
sion OF opinion in a matter of fact which
none could doubt. 1t was designed to
harmonize both Convention and people.
Mr.. VAN WINKLE said any member had
right to demand division of the question
when it came to vote, but the discussion
might as we'll be had on both resolutions.
and print.
Mr. Ollie wanted to lay the second reso.
luton on the table. fss
motion.
Mr.. Brown, of Kauawha, advocated tax.
ing the vote on the resolutions together
He intimAIed that he was unwilling to vote
for one without the other.
Mr. SMITH Coucurred in these views. 81
Mr. FINRELL wanted TO recommit the r.. =
port aud enlarge the committee to Is, and
made that motion.
Mr.. PoMERoY opposed it, They were
just as well prepared for discussion as they
would be after another report.
Mr.. PINNELL said he was prepared tn a
vote on both propositions without
word of argument, aud he would withdraw
the motion if the Convention could be in.
duced TO go on and take action. There
was nothing in the second resolution thar
merited consideration. Nothing valid or
binding. II was mere expression of opin-
ion, aud for that reason unnecessary. He
withdrew the motion to allow Mr.. Paxton
to move to table the report, which was
Mr., PAxToS then moved to take up the
hr't resolution, but it being decided that
mat could not be done without taking no
the WhOlA poVHOrF h.