The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-07
The Jirgini0 Contention
ORDERED BY CONGRESS TO
FRAME A STATE CONSTITUTION
f o U IL T HI ID AY.

COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS.
Mr.. CURTIss offered resolution provi-
ding for the appointment of committee
of thirteen, whose duty it shall be to re-
port mode of procedure as regards the
framing Of a Constitution, as also the num-
Der Of standing committees necessary for
the proper performance of the business of
the Convention.
Mr.. SSEAD offered as o substitute the
| following:
RESOLVED, That a committee of thr-
teen, in which the four grand divisions of
the State shall be fairly represe nted, be
appointed to prepare and report bill OF
rights; and also what, if any, changes are
necessary to be made in that part of the
present Constitution which relates to the
division Of the powers of government.
"Also, committees fairly representing the
Tidewater, Piedmont, Great Valley, and
Trans-Alleghany districts, respectively, to
take into consideration and report what
changes are necessary to be made in
| the existing Constitution in reference
to the executive, legislative, and judi
cial departments Of the Government,
the elective franchise, county organiza-
ton, the subjects Of education, taxation,
and finance, and the schedule to be an
nexed to the proposed Constitution"
Mr.. HUNNICUTT thought that the matter
had better be postponed until the question
of contested seats was disposed of.
Mr.. WHITE moved postporement Of the
subject which motion was lost.
Mr.. CLEMENTS thought it necessary that
the cutting out of business ought to be at
tended to at once, and he hoped that either
the resolution of Mr.. CURTISs or the sub
stitute of Mr.. SSEAD would be adopted.
Mr.. WOoDsoS offered as an amendment
| to the substitute the following:
RESOLVED, That the President Of this
Convention appoint the following commit
tees, each to consist of twelve members,
to be selected equally from the four grand
divisions Of the State:
"First.-A committee on the bill Of
rights.
Second-A committee on the exccu-
tive department Of government.
"Third.-A committee on the lcgisla-
| tive department.
"Fourth. committee on the Judi
ciary.
"Fi(th.-A committee on the basis and
apportionment Of representation.
"Sixth.-A committee on the right of
suffrage and the qualification of persons
| to be elected.
| Scventh.-A committee on the county
| courts, county organization, and county
| taxation.
Eighth.-A committee on State taxa
ton.
Ninth.-A committee on education and
| public instruction.
| ''Tenth.-A committee on the schedule.
ReSolred, That all propositions de-
signed to be incorporated into the pro-
| posed Constitution shall be referred to the
| appropriate committees for consideration
and report"
Mr.. MCLAUGHLIN Conservative favored
the substitute OF Mr.. SNEAD.
Mr.. WILLIAMS Conservative thought
the appointment Of q committee OF thir-
teen, under the resolution of the gentle
man from Bedford, would insure the speedi-
est manner of diSposing Of the business of
the Convention.
Several other members entered into the
discussion of the matter; pending which a
motion to lay the whole subject on the
table was offered by Mr.. WHITE, and
| lost.
Mr.. CLEMENTS called for the previous
question, which call being seconded, the
vote to sustain it was taken by ayes and
noes, and resulted-ayes, 49, noes, 66.
| Mr.. WOoDsoN arose to point of order.
He contended that under the rules and
regulations vote to sustain a call for the
previous question could not be taken by
ayes and noes.
Mr.. CLEMENTS said that he had urged
the vote upon the previous question be-
cause he thought it was very important
that the business for the Convention
should be at once cut out. He was ready
TO meet all issues, whatever might be whis-
pered to the contrary by friends or foes,
| and it was not with a view to avoid them
that he wished the vote to be taken upon
the previous question at once.
A general discussion ensued upon the
questions involved and any number of
points of order, during which several aus
thors on parliamentary law were quoted
| Mr.. GIBSON, of Fauquier, moved to lay
the whole matter on the table and to print.
| The gentleman from Portsmouth had said
something about lodging and avoiding
issues This was the second time he had
made such allusions TO the Conservative
side of the house.
Mr.. CLEMENTS, with the gentleman's per-
mission, explained that his remarks had
no allusion to any particular side OF the
house.
Mr.. GIBSON was satisfied with the ex-
planation.
Messrs. THOMAS and HINE hoped that
the substitute and amendment would De
voted down, and the original proposition
carried. as tending more speedily to the
transaction of the business OF the ConVen-
ton. ;.
| Mr., GIBSON withdrew his motion TO lay
on the table. ,r c,ur,s
The vote was then taken on Mr.. SNEAD
substitute and it was lost.
Mr.. PLATTE, thinking that the original
nronosition was entirely too comprehen'
s;va then offered the following as SUD-
stitute: .h;,.oa,
Resolved, That committee of thlrteen
be appointed to inquire If any ana "ns >
committees are necessary for the transac'
tion of the business of the Convention.
The substitute was lost; and the Vote
recurring on the original proposition, II
was carried. oo.
The vote being taken, the ayes and noe:
were called over for correction. SeVera
Nom hers arose to correct the lists, among
them a negro delegate, who asked how HI:
vota cote was Recorded. The secretary askec
him how he voted. He replied dublously
81 voted a-ra-I voted with my lilen, ile.,
here !" pointing to negro on MS nat r,gn.1 gu ~
"How was that? asked the secretary
u1n tba nerative," put in the friend