Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-01-31

piled. The constitution provided that
every male citizen over tWenty.oue years
of age, not otherwise disqualified, should
be entitled to vote, and therefore implies
that the black citizen and and the female
citizen should not vote. BE spoke at some
length, stating that no person Of any in
fuence or intelligence in the State suppos-
ed or commended that slavery could live or
thrive here, and alluded to the proposed
amendment to the constitution of the uni
ted States, which would effectuslly eradi-
| cate slavery from the land.
Mr.. Barns announced his determination
to vote in faVer of the bill, as he believed
it competent for the Legislature to pass it.
Mr.. Ferguson said there was no parallel
between the section OF the constitution
in regard to slavery and the section in re-
gard to the right of suffrage. The right
to vote was not nstuaal one, as was the
right to liberty. He proceeded to show
that the Legislature had an undoubted
right to abolish slavery by enactment, and
said he should give the bill his hearty sup
port. In regard TO the proposed amend.
ment of the constitution of the United
States, he said the copperheads in Con-
gress would vote against the proposition
as they had done before, and he looked for
very little encouragement from that quar-
| ter.
Ar.AcGrew said the proposition undeEcon.
slderaaon. was one of great importance,
and should not be acted upon hastily. He
desired, in common with the whole people
OF the State, TO get rid of Slavery as speed
lily as possible, but for the purpose of Civ
Jog proper time for inVestigatio he moved
to lay the bill and substitute on the table,
and print the latter.
| NJ
the special order for Wednesday, and the
suggestion was accepted by Mr.. McGrew.
Mr.. Chapline was opposed to the post
pouement of the question. He wanted to
vote for the bill now. We don't want the
bill on the table. Every copperhead in
the State wants niggers, and no loyal man
wanted to have anything to do with them
Mr.. McGrew said his only object was to
give the House an opportunity to calmly
consider the subject No great loss OF
damage could occur to the proposition by
q single days delay.
Dir. Piuuell opposed the bill because il
proposed to take away the property Of Loyal
citizens without remuneration, which wRt
unconstitutional. He had always been az
anti slavery man, and had been stipmati.
tized as an abolitionist, but he wanted to
be just before he was generous. Let us
stand still and see the salvation of God.
Mr.. Scott said he was in favor of the
bill, but was quite willing to allow any
reasonable time for investigation.
Mr.. Van Wrinkle was in favor Of the
speedy abolition of slavery, but he was moi
as we'll prepared to vote now upon the
proposition before the House as he NIGH
possibly be on Wednesday. He wanted tc
do away with the institution effectuaIly
aud he should support the proposition mos
likely to accomplish its thorough erradica
ton beyond the shadow of doubt.
The House refused to lay on the table
and print
Mr.. Ferguson called the ayes and noel
upon the substitute with the following re
suit: Ayes Is, Noes 81.
The bill was then ordered to its engroBs
ment.
On motion of Mr.. Scott the House ad
jOurned.