The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-14
printer, and not by an officer not legiti-
mately under the control of the Conven-

uaVciy uuueT VIC ContIol vi tno Soh'Sh-
ton.
After some remarks by Mr.. CLEMENTS
in favor of the resolution, it was adopted.
PETITION FOR HoMEsTEADs.
MORTON (mulatto) presented petition
from citizens" Of the First Congressional
District (Norfolk), asking the Convention
to take some action concerning home
stead law. ;
The petition set forth an awful state of
affairs in the section of the country in
which it was concocted, produced by the
legislation of the late miserable rump
Legislature" The petition made the mo-
dest request for security for homestead
for every man, woman, and child. The
twenty-t thousand dollar men had prayed
to Andrew Johnson, and he had heard
their prayers and restored their lands.
The landowners were the tyrants OF the
land, and rode over it rough shod, oppres-
sing all true Republicans, and Selling their
property for debt. They asked reheftr
this.
Mr.. GIBSON, of Giles, moved to lay on
the table.
Mr.. SxEAD was opposed to the conside-
ration by the Convention of the matter
set forth in the petition. He was opposed
to proposition like this to repudiate prl-
vate debt. 1t would be legislative rob-
berry for the Convention to take such &C
ton. He sympathized with those citizens
who were SO unfortunate as to be involved
in debt, but he could not approve OF re-
lieving them Of their obligation. Such
action would be nugatory, as opposite 10
the sense Of the Constitution and the act
under which the Convention was caliea,
which provided that the Convention should
take no action not in keeping with the
Constitution. One Of its provisions was
expressly that no legislation should be
taken which would impair obligations OF
contract.
Mr.. BowpEN asked if the Convention
had no right to establish homestead IN
this State. >,
Mr., SSEAD replied, that before the Con-
yention could secure homestead TO any
man he must have home. lie would
advocate the proposition OF the gentleman
which had been referred to the proper
committee, to exempt certain amount VI
property from future debt, but ne c0ula
not entertain any proposition which looked
to the exemption Of debts already con-
tracted. =,
Mr.. GIBSON hoped the petition would
he laid on the table. They were violent,
abusive, and Scurrilous IN thelr nature,
and should not be entertained. lie caileu
for the ayes and noes; which eau was
sustained, and the vote resulted : ayes,
43; noes, 50. Lila
Mr.. BowDEN moved that the petition
be referred to the Committee On the Judi
ciary. Carried.
REFERENCE TO COMMITTEES.
Mr.. CLEMENTS offered resolution pro-
viding that all propositions and petitions
upon particular amendments should be
referred to the proper committees without
debate as to the subject matter, PROVIDED
that such propositions and petitions were
respectful in their nature.
Mr.. DODGE moved to lay on the table.
Mr.. CLEMENTS withdrew his resolution.
FREEDMEN's BUREAU.
Mr.. LYD1CK offered q preamble and re-
solutions setting forth the distressed con-
dilion of our people; and in view of the
fact that the Freedmen's Bureau would
be discontinued by the lst of January,
asking that a committee be appointed
to petition Congress to continue the opera
tons Of the Bureau until we are recon
structed.
Mr.. CURTIss said that he did not think
the statements set forth by the gentleman
were correct. The Freedmen's Bureau
would be allowed to remain until July.
He moved to lay it on the table. Carried.
PRIVILEGES OF THE FLOOR.
Mr.. WHITE offered resolution extend
ing the privileges of the floor to General
O. Brown and staff. Adopted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
DIR. BAYSE called for the discussion
nendipg which the House had adjourned
on the day before, and asked that MI
PORTER have the floor.
Mr.. SNEAD asked that the question be
postponed, as Mr.. PORTER was absent, on
account of sickness in his family.
DR.. BAYNE was opposed to postl zone
ment. He wanted the thing gone through
with while it was hot.
The motion to postpone was carried.
REMOVAL OF STATE OFFICERS.
LEWIS LINDSEY offered the following:
Whereas the Convention has assem-
bled under the acts Of Congress Of the
United States Of America to frame Con-
stitution loyal to the Government of the
United States, and to establish republi-
can form of government, so as to enable
Virginia to resume her former relations IN
the United States of America with other
loval States, to be the only lawful legisla-
tive body to adopt the fundamental and
lawful powers, guarantees TO all persons
equal rights; therefore he 1t
" ReSoued, That committee be appoint
ed to wait on Major General Schoield,
commanding this district, to remove all
the present State officers which compose
the present civil government of Virginia;
and should fail to get the desired informa-
ton, the committee be empowered TO pro-
coed to Washington city in regard to the
removal of the present So-called State Gov
eminent, and report to this Convention at
once in regard to the section Sd OF the act
of March I'd, 1867, to remove, or cause to
be removed, certain portion Of the clause
Sd of an act Of Congress passed March "a,
1867, that the General commanding the
district have power to allow certain CIVIL
tribunals to try all criminals in the said
district, so as TO grant power to the Con-
vention now in session to remove all. SAID
officers"
LINDSEY, in furtherance of his PROPOSE
ton, said:
Mister President, desires to speak
few words on dat resolution. do not
offer it because I believes dat can add
more power to it's influence, but because
! believes Con. greSs is de only legal party
70 ran,ova do sectiOn of de clause of de
act. [Laughter.] doesn't like to olsen