The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-16

tlonal provision enllaucpio'hS
now DISTINGUISHED for participation IN the
war whom this body has the power OF thus
reInsatng."
CONTESTED SEAT.
Mr.. MARYE having arrived, the petition
of Peter Couse, contesting his seat, was
read. The petition submitted the remarks
made opposite the name OF MIR. MAIZE III
the registration list. He had been mayor
of Fredericksburg, had aided the Con,
federacy with all his might, and claimed
the right to vote under the amnesty pro,
clamations of Presidents Lincoln and
Johnson, under each Of which ne nau
taken the required oaths, and claimed Inc
right of suffrage under them.
The petition was referred to the Gom-
mittee on Privileges and Elections.
COMMITTEE CLERKS.
Mr.. Cunr1ss offered resolution pro,
vidinc for committee clerks, to be appointed
in the manner provided for IN the rules VI
the House of Delegates.
Mr.. HAwxHURsT offered as an amend,
ment that the principal committees nalnea
in the amendment appoint, through ther
chairmen. clerks, and that the Committee
on Contingent Expenses fix tneif salaries.
Mr.. CUHT1ss accepted the amendment
Some discussion arose, and al the sus
question of. Mr.. THOMAS, Mr.. dA"AHuFsI
modified his resolution SO that eacn coii-
mittee should have clerk should one DC
deemed necessary.
The resolution was referred.
INTEREST on STATE TAX.
Mr.. CLEMENTS offered the following:
"Whereas it is stated that there IS III
the treasury Of the State about Sloo,UoV'
and whereas it is estimated that IL Will le-
ouire about 500, 900 to pay two per cehI.
interest on the 1st of January next, Delng
the interest authorized TO be pald on
about two-thirds of the State lndept-
edness; and whereas some douot is
felt whether the taxes will be collected III
time to pay the same, together with the
current expenses Of the State; therefore
be it
/" ResoZued, That the Treasurer and Au-
! ditor be and are hereby directed to sus-
pend payment of any part of the interest
maturing January 1st until it is officially
known to this Convention that there is
sufficient amount paid into the Treasury
to pay the January interest"
Referred to the Committee on Finance.
PAY OF REPORTER.
The epgrossed ordinance fixing the pay
Of the photographer was called up, read
third time, and passed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
DR.. BAYNE (negro) called for the unfn-
ished business of Thursday, laid over yes
terday in the absence Of the gentleman
from Chesterfield.
Mr.. CARR moved, that as much time
had already been wasted he would call
for the previous question. The reading
of the resolution was called for, and
granted.
BAYNE said that he thought the amend
ment had been rejected.
Mr.. WILLIAMS begged leave to correct
him; the amendment had been acqui-
esced in.
HODGES said he didn't 'cept no mend
ment.
Mr.. SNEAD said that there could DO no
improperly in his (Hodges) accepting the
amendment. If he did not, he might be
subjected to the reproach of being unwill-
ing to redress the wrongs of all parties
without political distinction.
HODGES said if the amendment would
benefit anybody he had no objection. He
wanted the subject to have the widest
"scope of latitpid" It could before the
whole country.
The CHAIR decided that the amendment
of Mr.. WILLIAMS had been acquiesced in,
and was Of course under consideration.
Mr.. CARR's call for the previous ques-
ton being sustained, the question whether
the main questionable reference of the
resolutions to the Committee on Llmita-
tons and Guarantees-should be put was
voted upon with ayes and noes, and re-
sulted-ayes, 62; noes, %.
The question Of reference was decided
in the affirmative.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
Mr.. MARYE said that as matter relating
to his own eligibility as member of this
Convention had occupied the attention of
personal explanation. BY reason Of press
ing professional engagements, arising out
of matters occurring before he was elected
to this body, it would be necessary for him
to be absent for some three days. He
hoped, therefore, the Committee on Priyi-
leges and Elections would not take up the
matter until his return, which would be as
soon as possible.
He had General Schofeld's authority in
the shape Of a published order, which
order declares the qualifications Of men,
bers of this Convention, for stating that he
was eligible under the reconstruction acts.
And furthermore, that eligibility or ineli-
gibility as member Of this body had no
reference to qualification as a voter under
the provisional government, as would at
once be understood by every lawyer.
He hoped that this petition or communi-
cation, as it involved question Of per-
sonal history, would not be acted upon
until his return. lie thought he could
take occasion, therefore, simply to ask
this courtesy of the House, under the
rules, to give him leave Of absence for
three days from Monday morning next.
The privilege was granted.
IMMIGRATION.
Mr.. WILLIAMS offered the following !;
which V IS referred to the Committee on
Agricultural and Industrial Interests
Resolved, That every person Of good
| character who comes to settle in this
| State, having first taken an oath, or affirm
alton, Of allegiance to the United States
and to this State, may purchase or by
other means acquire and transfer land or
other real estate, and after one years
residence be entitled to all the rights of a
natural-born subject Of this State, except
he shall not be eligible to the office Of
governor, Acknowledgements, secretary Of
the commonwealth, treasurer, senator or
delegate to the General Assembly, until
after three years. residence"