Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-12-24
NUMBER XVI.

tleman IN the Convention who was not able to
head or direct letter, he could readily get some
one near him to do so.
Mr. Llggett wanted to know if there were no
other presses In the city who could do the print
ing, and wanted it to be done in open market.
so that 1t might be done at the least possible
cost to our poor, needy and impoverished Com
monwealth
Mr.. Gibson, of Giles, thereupon moved to lay
the report upon the table, which was lost-ayes
81, noes Sc.
After considerable skirmishing, which con-
sumed time and cost $500 per hour the report
] OF the committee was adopted.
The following is copy of the report referred
| to:
| The committee appointed to contract for the
printing for this Convention beg leave to report
that they have received estimates for the print
Ing OF letter heads and envelopes, both in cop
per r-plate and letter-press printing. Their en-
quiries lead to the conclusion that letter press
printing can be obtained at a saving of about
forty per cent, and believing that it will answer
the purpose as well as copper-plate printing,
they propose to accept the estimate of Messrs
hunnlcutt q Brother for printing six reams of
letter heads, with electrotype State arms, at
i've dollars per ream, and three thousand en-
velopes, with smaller electrotype State arms, at
ten dollars per thousand, and to contract for
the execution of the same at said prices.
| RESOLUTIONS OF ENQUIRY.
| By Mr.. Thomas
ResolUed, That the Convention adjourn on
Monday, the 23d instant, to Tuesday, the 7th
| January 1868.
By Mr.. Gibson, of Giles
ResolUed, That the committee on the pream-
BILE and bill of rights and division of the powers
of government be instructed to enquire into the
expediency of so amending the bill of rights as
to secure the freedom of speech and the immu-
nifty of voters for any vote cast in any election.
By Mr.. Clements, from Finance Committee
ReSOlred That the Auditor of the State be
requested to furnish this Convention an exact
statement of the Indebtedness of the State, with
a classification OF the same, with interest due
and unpaid also the various items subject to
taxation, with the amount collected under each
head IN the past two years.
By l.. Lee, Dr.
Resolred That the committee on internal i'm
provements be instructed to enquire into and
report to this Convention the circumstances at
tending the sale of the States interest in the
Dismal Swamp canal whether the terms i'm
posed by the Legislature were complied with,
and, if not, by what authority, and under what
circumstances were the purchasing parties re-
lieved from said conditions.
By Mr. Clements
Whereas, 1t is known that the County Court
of the county of Norfolk and the Council of the
city of Portsmouth have taken action to lease
out the ferry between the cities of Norfolk and
Portsmouth, and whereas grave doubts exist as
to their power under existing circumstances to
execute such lease, therefore, be it
ResolUed, That the committee on guarantees
and limitation be and are hereby instructed to
prepare and introduce an ordinance forbidding
the execution of such lease.
By Teomah, negro
Resolred, That the committee on finance and
taxation be instructed to report on the 'spract-
bility" of increasing the taxation on all unculti-
waited and waste lands susceptible of cultivation
to higher rate than that placed on cultivated
lands.
By Mr.. Snead-
Resolued, That the Auditor of Public Ac-
counts be requested to furnish this Convention
tabular statement exhibiting the amount of
taxes assessed, collected and paid into the pub
lie treasury under the act of the General Assem-
bly,, passed March 3, 1866, entitled IAN act
imposing a tax on oysters.
By Mr.. S. ID. Williamson
ResolUed, That whereas, the principle ofcon-
sent is vital to the constitution of legitimate
republican government as it is essential to holy
wedlock and whereas, such consent can only
be expressed through the ballot box therefore,
Resolued, That the right of suffrage shall be
as universal as liberty itself.
By Mr.. Platte
pointed by this Convention be required to re-
port upon the several sections of the Constitu-
ton referred to them respectively at the earliest
possible moment consistent with a proper dis
charge Of their duties.
THE HON. DR.. BAYNE PROPOSES RELIEF TO THE
DISFRANCHISED.
Our Congo pet, the honorable representative
from Norfolk has kind and merciful heart,
as the following resolution offered by him yes
terday for the benefit of Messrs. Hunter, Rives,
Baldwin, Stuart, Staples, Flournoy, Wise,
Letcher, and others equally eminent, whose
names will at once suggest themselves to our
readers, shows As he read it his face wore an
air of benevolence, and he looked for all the
world like the striking picture of His Reven-
D. Opinion % - '-'' ''''' -'' y Wv ~
| Whereas, many persons in this Common
wealth have been taxed in money and labor per-
formed on the public roads who are not enfran-
chised, nor considered as citizens according to
the laws thereof, therefore,
| l. Resolved, All persons taxed in said Com
monweath who are not enfranchised by the
laws thereof, be exempted from all tax until
said persons are enfranchised by the laws of the
| State.
q All money paid by said disfranchised per-
sons for taxes and for labor performed on roads
at the rate of $l.25 per day be refunded
Tomorrow a resolution of Mr.. Thomas, that
when the Convention adjourn on the 23rd of
December, it adjourn to meet on the 7th of
January, 1868, will be taken up and considered.
On motion of Mr.. Clements, the Convention|
adjourned at 2l0.
TUESDAY, Dec. 1.-THE Convention met at|
the usual hour. Prayer by the Chaplain.
/ FINANCE.
Mr.. Clements, from the committee on Fl
nance, reported upon the resolution of Mr.. Cle-I
ments preventing the Auditor from paying the
interest ON the public debt on the first of Janu-
ary until satisfactory evidence was produced
| that no further taxation was necessary. Tho
committee reported preamble setting forth
that: Whereas, the object Of the resolution
was to prevent discrimination in the payment
of bondholders and whereas, the Auditor O
the State had already transmitted the amour
necessary to pay the sterling interest on bonds
held in Europe, and assures the committee the
Treasurer will be prepared to meet all demands
likely to be made on the State, including inte
rest and current expenses, any good object like
ly to be accomplished by the resolution is rem
| dered nugatory therefore
''Resolced, The Convention take no further
action on this subject
After some debate, the report was adopted
PRINTING.
Mr.. Allen, from the committee on printing
submitted the following:
''The committee appointed by order of tad
/