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

Constitutional Convention, so-called.
SATURDAY, Dec. 14th.-A communication
from Peter Couse, of Fredericksburg, contest
ing the seat of John L. Marye, Esq, was pre-
sented by d. B. White
Mr.. Ell. FL. Lee moved that it be laid on the
table, as Dir. Marye was absent from the hall.
Yankee Allen said a rule of the Convention
referred all papers of this kind to the commit
tee on Privileges and Elections.
All OF the motions were withdrawn.
The President announced the following COM
mittee ON Printing, viz: Messrs. Allen, White,
Waddell, Southall and Morrissey.
RESOLUTIONS REFERRED.
By Mr.. Mauzy-
Resolued, That it be referred to the commit
tee on the preamble, bill of rights and division
OF the powers of government, to enquire and
report as to the expediency of adding to the
Bill of Rights declaration that test oaths of
every kind whether religious or political, are
Numerically opposed to the principles of re-
publican liberty. Referred to the committee on
Bill of Rights
By Mr. Williams
Resolued, That it be referred to the commit
tee on agricultural, industrial interests, and i'm
migration, to enquire into the eXpediency Off
sertlng IN the constitution a provision as fol-
lows:
''That every person of good character who
comes to settle in this State, having first taken
an. oath or affirmation Of allegiance to the Uni
ted States and to this State, may purchase, or
by other means acquire, hold and transfer land
or other real estate, and after one years resi-
dence be entitled to all rights Of natural born
subject Of this State, except that he shall not
be eligible to the office of Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, Secretary of the Commonwealth,
Treasurer, Senator or Delegate to the General
Assembly, until after three years residence"
Mr.. Clements
Whereas, it is stated that there is in the
treasury of the State only about one hundred
thousand dollars and whereas, it is estimated
that it will require seven hundred thousand
dollars to pay two per cent. interest on the first
of January next, that being the interest autho-
rized to be paid on about twot thirds of the State
Indebtedness; and whereas, some doubt is felt
whether the taxes will be collected In time to
pay the same, together with the currentexpen-
ses OF the State: therefore, be it
ReSotUed, That the treasurer and auditor be
and are hereby directed to suspend payment of
any part of the interest maturing January first
Until it is officially known to this Convention
that there is a sufficient amount paid into the
treasury to pay the January interest.
Referred to the Committee On Finance.
L
lowing, which was referred:
ResoIUed, That the Constitution now to be
framed for the State of Virginia should guaran-
tee for the future system OF common school
education, to be supported by the State which
shall give to all classes free and equal partlcl-
patton in all its benefits.
The Hon. Dr. Bayne, (congo), wanted to
have no distinction of color.
BY Mr. Williams, of Amherst
Whereas, those engaged formerly In rebellion
now desire restoration to the Union, that they
may as freeborn American citizens, educated
on the principle of liberty, enjoy their privilege
and discharge their duties in their own country !;
and whereas, in the restoration Of national har-
mony, after the war, the will of the victorious
as expressed by their majorities must be regard
ed In the adjustment of affairs, and the vlctorl-
GUS North have, In their late elections, by large
majoritles, indicated their wish that severe
measures should not be stringently enforced as
prerequisite of admission to the full member
ship i'll the Union; and, whereas, it appears
that leading representatives of those Northern
communities being also men of weight and in
fuence with the supreme party in Congress,
and members OF that party have expressed pub
lcly as feeling so far bound to observe the
wishes Of the victorious Northern States, as ex-
pressed in the late elections that they would
large the number Of voters by removing all dis
abilities arising from having participated in the
late rebellion, which this Convention has the
power to remove, instead of attempting to re-
strict the number of voters by additional lmpo-
Sltlon or tests: therefore,
ResolUed, That it be referred to the commit
tee on the elective franchise to enquire into the
expediency of reporting to this Convention, for
adoption, constitutional provision enfranchis
ing all those now disfranchised for participation
| In the war, whom this body has the power oi
| thus re-instatlng
By Mr.. Mauzy, Of Culpeper-
| Whereas, 1t has never been the case in any
government on earth, however free, that the
duty and Office Of voting has been committed tc
all the people and, whereas, in the opinion o
some persons it is held that the office of voting
is representative Office or trust to be exercised
| for the interest of the people and not by the
caprice Of the voters and, whereas, In the opln-
ion Of some the Office Of voting is not a natural
right of any man, but one conferred by the peo.
pie in their organic law:
| Resolued Therefore that it be referred tc
the committee on the preamble, bill of rights
and division of the power of government to en-
quire into and report as to the eXpediency o
dividing said government into four departments
consisting of the Legislative, Executive, Judi
1
! ment.
By Mr. Hine-
Whereas, 1t is well known that prior to the
late war there was large sum OF money belong
| ing to the State known as the literary fund, be
| it
Resolred, That the committee on educaEor
| be instructed to enquire and report to this Con
vention how much of this fund has been ex-
pended, for what purpose and by what author
| ity.
| Resolued That all debts contracted and OBJ
legations incurred by purchase or sale of slaves
since first January, 1860, be declared null and
void, in view Of the fact that no just remunera
ton was received for the obligations or debts
| thus incurred.
There is no telling when the food of resolu
tions would have subsided had not somebody
moved an adjournment.
Just after the Convention was declared ad
journed, General Schofield sent a communica-
ton to the President announcing his approval
and endorsation Of the action of the Convention
in fixing the pay Of its officers and members
MONDAY, Dec. 16th.-The communication
from General Schoficd, ordering the Auditor
to pay the members and officers the per diem
| fixed upon, was laid before the Convention
and seemed to give general satisfaction to the
colored members.
THE PRINTING OF LETTER HEADS.
Mr.. Allen, radical, who has weak lungs
and q clerical manner, reported that the Hun
nicutt Brothers had agreed to do the printing
of this important feature Of the Convention al
moderate rates.