Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-09-18

at Memphis and New Orleans, that the negroes
at the South would not be permitted to vote
without protection-the protection of bayonets
at every poll. The proper way to amelorate
the condition of the blacks is first to build up
party Of loyal white men at the South, who
would see that loyal blacks were protected in
their rights. In good time, and when God
wills it, the negro will have suffrage. believe
that if this Convention could give the negro the
right to vote, that before they would be per-
mitted to exercise the right of suffrage, they
would be shot down in the streets; their houses
would be burned down over their heads. 1t
would be certain destruction to them. "a voice
They are destroying them now.) Mr.. Bolts,
continuing thus expressed my convic-
read some resolutions which [ had prepared,
but neglected to offer until now. Cries of No,
no. | wish to place myself firmly and square
ly before this Convention, SO that there will be
no mistake about my position on these ques-
tons. They are resolutions which no loyal men
can object to.
A Delegate question before the house
is the adoption of the report of the Committee
ON Non-reconstructed States. I call the gentle
man to order
| Mr. Botts-I don't wish to read them unless
with the permission of the Convention.
| A Delegate from North Carolina-I rise to a
point of order My point is that this matter
should be left to the members of the non-recon-
structed States.
Another Delegate-I also rise to point of
order, and that is this: The gentleman is CIV
ing us history Of his life
Mr. Botts-I beg your pardon, sir [ am Civ
ing no personal history whatever.
A Delegate want to know whether these
resolutions are to be read for your benefit or
that of the Convention.
Mr.. Bolts declined to reply to any of these
insinuations, and permission being accorded
him he proceeded to read series of resolutions
denying the right of Congress to interfere in
the matter of suffrage in the States The reso-
lutions were quite lengthy, and were not listen
ed to with much attention by the Convention.
When the reading of the resolutions common
ced delegate suggested that the Convention
was unorganized, as no person was in the chair.
Mr.. Sherwood then stepped forward and took
the Presidents chair.
MIR. Bolts, after stumbling through one or
two resolutions amidst much noise, declared his
| inability to read them in consequence OF defec-
tive eye-sight, and called upon another dele
gate to read for him. This volunteer proved
lamer horse than Bolts himself, and the read
ing went on unattended to, until Mr.. Bolts
snatched the paper from his friends hands
with an impatient gesture. Cries Of go a.
head ;" Hurry up - "Let some one read them
and get through.
A Delegate-I raise the point of order that
the resolutions have no right to be read
Mr. Bolts appealed to Mr.. Baylor, of Geor-
gia, to read the resolutions, but he declined on
the score Of fatigue.
Mr. Bolts finished the reading himself At
their close he asked that they might be printed
with the journal of the proceedings. Cries of
No, no." II move the previous question )" II
move they be sent to the next meeting Of the
18th of August convention. Kisses, yells,
catcalls and confusion worse COMPOUNDED.
Mr.. Bolts, Shaking his fists angrily) exclaim-
ed in a loud voice Il ask no favor of this con-
vention; I'll have them printed myself I've
been put on the committee to go electioneering
them myself. He then turned his back upon
the Convention and indignantly left the plat
form amidst derisive cheers.
ANOTHER CHAIRMAN DOWN.
Bolts exit was the signal for renewed excite
ment, a dozen men rising to their feet and
shouting for the previous question.
Mr.. Sherwood, apparently disguised with the
proceedings, retreated from the chair, leaving
it again vacant, when it was filed by Mr. Pease,
of Texas, who. with Western determination,
sat it out till the end. Nothing less than a
Texan could have stood out against the closing
scenes.
| ROW IN THE HOUSE.
The adoption of the report being then moved,
the previous question was called.
A score Of men rose to their feet, and score
of voices made different motions at the same
time amid cries of 'Mr. Chairman, I called
the previous question, - I'm opposed to the
report, ''Shuut up, mo man $ got right to
speak, II demand the yeas and nays, II in
sist upon being heard,' II insist on the yeas
and nays eve want a record" &c.
The Chair endeavored to put the question,
when dozen voices cried, II call for a divi-
sion" ''Dry up 'You can't divide it," II
ask the yeas and nays, - I raise point of Or
der, ''That no person is in the chair ''ayes
and nays" ''call the roll, sit down." ''Dry
up then more yells, Kisses and groans, two
excited members shaking their fists in each
others faces, and nearly ready for clinch.-
Rap, rap, rap, from the chair.
This scene continued for several minutes, I'M
til at length order was restored, and the Chair
decided that the report was not Invisible. The
vote was then taken on the whole, and it was
adopted by vote of sixtysix to eleven.
The Convention then adjourned SINE DIE, amid
indescrbable confusion and uproar So ended
the noisy farce