The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-11-16
ALABA MA.
The Reconstruction Convention.
MONTGOMERY. ALA. Nov. 8. 1867

The Reconstruction Convention.
MONTGOMERY, ALA, Nov. 8, 1857.
The convention is now in working order,
and has betaken itself to business All the
committees have been appointed, and they
are now hard at work perfecting the reform
ed constitution of the State, and doing such
other business as is necessary. These COM
mittees are composed of the best men of the
convention, both white and colored, and the
business confided to them may safely be
trusted in their hands. The appointment of
these committees and some routine business
occupied most of the session of Wednesday.
On Thursday resolution was adopted invi-
ting Major General Pope, commanding the
Sd military district, to visit the convention.
A resolution was offered that the conven-
ton take the present constitution of the
State of Alabama as the basis for the forma-
ton OF a new one, with such changes and
notifications as may be necessary to COM
ply with the acquisitions of the military bill,
and to ensure the full enjoyment of equal
civil and political rights to all male citizens
without distinction OF color
The resolution was referred to the COM
mittee on the Judiciary.
1t is in this way that the Republican par
ty of Alabama manifest themselves They
are all of one mind on this subject. that of
equal political and civil rights to alb men
without distinction of race, color, or Turner
condition, the only requisite being pure sntf
unaduterated loyalty TO the government of
the United States, and opposition to the aa-
thors of the rebellion.
A resolution was offered by James w Rs
pier, of Laudertiale county, a colored Inan,
requesting the members of the convention
to furnish the members with list of names
of those DISTINGUISHED persons in their re
tiOusly recommend as worthy of relief, to
the end that the said names may be trans
mitted to Congress with request that the
desired relief may be afforded.
The convention laid the resolution ON the
table; but it must not be inferred from this
that they are opposed to the spirit of it
Far from it. But for many reasons it was
deemed proper to lay it on the table for the
present The offering of the resolutions
shows that the Republican party are willing
to remove the disabilities from such persons,
who, though DISTINGUISHED, are aiding recon
structiOn. There are many of these in the
State, and something of the kind proposed
is necessary for their relief. Hence the reso-
luton. 1t is considered certain that some
thing of the kind will be introduced and
passed before very long. The necessi ty for
such action is very plain.
A resolution was adopted ordering tlIeap-
pointment of committee of three me mbers
to prepare a memorial to Congress urging
the removal Of the tax on cotton. This
was carried without dissenting voice, and
shows the absolute necessity of the repeal OF
this tax. While the Union men here recog-
nize the perfect right of Congress TO lay
such tax, they think that the present state
of affairs justifes their action in mem orlali-
ling Congress to remove it. They a re not
rich; they are, in fact, poor; they have been
impoverished by the war, and they an bet
ter paw the tax two or three years hen ce than
now. e..
Much hardship has been caused both in
this and other States of the South by a law
of the rebel congress requiring all guardians,
executors. administrators, and trustees. to
invest the funds under their charge in con-
federate bonds Most of them did so, and
the result is that hundreds Of widows and
orphans are left destitute. The real meaning
of the law was to interest all these: people
whose funds were thus invested in the sue
cess of the confederacy. Of course when the
confederacy fell to pieces, the rebel debt fell
with it, and the value that was represented
by it was reduced to zero. To relieve this
distress it is proposed to insert a section in
the new constitution. authorizing The courts
of chancery to examine into such cases,
without regard to previous juris di ction, and
to grant relief, provided such relief is sought
within five years from the adoption of the
provision, or in the case OF minors, and Others,
within five years from the removal of teisa-
bilities. whether natural or incurred.
On the subject of removal of political
disabilities resolution was adopted as fol
lows ..r
Resoloed, That a committee on removal of
disabilities, to consist of thirteen members,
be appointed by the Chair, to whom the
members of the convention shall present the
names of such DISTINGUISHED persons as have
aided and are aiding in reconsrructing the
civil government of the State in accordance
with the laws of Congress, which names: shall
be reported to this convention before its
close. -s -. s-u
Resoloed further, That said committee be
instructed to prepare memorial to Congress
upon the subject of the removal Of disa-
bilities. .s ,.. .t..... ..,
The following resolution was also adapted:
Resolued, That the president appoint a
standing committee of nine members, to be
| known as the committee on ordinances and
State government, whose duty it shall be to
| report, by ordinance or otherwise, the effect
of the ordinance of secession and other Or
dinances, with the constitution adopted by
the convention of January, 1861, with all
the legislation until September, 1865. and
also to report by what authority the Hon
Lewis c. Parsons presided over Alabama as
| Provisional Governor and the effect afs the
constitution adopted by the convention OF
/ September, 1865, and the subsequent lagis
lation, and also to report the present political
status of Alabama. ~
$500 persons only are disfranshised II
| Virginia $4,000 whites failed to rsgister.,