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

plete history OF the several steps taken IN the
reconstruction of the State; it is therefore
"Resolved, list. That Maj. Gen. Schofeld
be especially requested to furnish to the Secre-
tary of the Commonwealth, to be preserved in
his office among the archives of the State, au-
thentic copies of all military orders issued in this
military district having relation to the subject
of reconstruction, and an authentic copy OF the
registration lists made in the several counties
and cities In the State.
''2d. That he be respectfully requested to
cause an authentic copy of the registration by
districts in each county and city to be filed with
the clerk of the county or corporation courts to
be preserved with the record OF the office. -
Adopted.
POWERS OF THE CONVENTION.
Mr.. Porter offered the following:
''Whereas resolutions are daily introduced In
the Convention of character indicating that
their authors are of the opinion that this pody
possesses the power of legislation and whereas
it is highly important that the powers OF this
Convention should be clearly understood, so as
to prevent the introduction ofeXtraneOus matters
if legislative powers do not belong to this body,
and to authorize the reception of subjects OF q
legislative character, if such power is possessed
by this body; therefore be it
''ResoEued, That committee OF five be ap-
pointed to inquire and report at an early day
other than that which relates to framing the
organic law of the State
After considerable discussion, the resolution
was laid on the table.
NEGRO CIVIL EQUALITY.
Jones (negro) offered the following
"Whereas the custom, and, In part, some OF
the laws of Virginia, known as District No. L /;
and whereas this Convention is vested with
power to blot out all prescription IN the District
or State of Virginia; therefore
s'ResoZued, That this Convention do insert In
the constitution to be framed clause prohibit
ing anv distinction whatever in public con-
's2. Resozved, That all public institutions, such
as railroads, steamboats,, ETC., chartered 1or
public purposes, shall make no such dlstlnc-
tion.' Referred.
"WEDNESDAY, Dec. 1Sth.-Mr Southal sub
mitted his reply to the petition OF Captain III
key contesting his seat in the convention !
which was ordered to be printed ana referred
to the committee on privileges and elections.
Mr.. Allen, from the committee on printing,
submitted a report awarding the printing Of the
journal and the debates and proceedings OF the
Convention to Messrs. Hunnicutt Il Brother,
allowing Is cents per token for press work IN
stead of 60 cents as recommended by the select
committee.
Mr. Bowden moved that the report be re-
committed to the committee with Instructions
to report prices conforming with the recommen-
dation of the select committee.
Mr. Norval Wilson spoke in favor OF recon-
mitment.
MIR. Carr called the previous question; which
was seconded, and sustained.
The vote on recommitment was taken with
ayes and noes, and resulted-ayes, so; noes 43.
ADJOURNMENT FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
4oA inf
the adjournment of the Convention on Monday
next, and the time of the re-assembhng as
Thursday the I'd of January.
Mr.. Snead hoped that the decision OF the
Convention to adjourn on Friday would be ad-
hered to, in order to give time to members from
remote distances to get home by Christmas
day.
Considerable discussion ensued; during which
it was decided that the question as to the time
of the adjournment had been settled on yester-
day.
Morgan offered his motion as substitute
which was lost by vote Of 43 to A.
The question recurring upon the amended
resolution of Mr.. Thomas, adjournlng on Friday
next to Tuesday, January Z 1868, and in which
all claims for per diem were waived by the mem
bers, it was voted upon with ayes and noes, and
rejected-ayes, IS noes, 55.
Mr.. Bowden offered resolution adjourning
Monday next to meet on Friday, the Sd of Jan
uary.
Mr. Porter moved to amend by the insertion
that there shall be no recess except that there
shall be no session on the 18th OF December and
on the 1st of January.
Mr.. Scott offered as substitute that the Con-
yention adjourn Friday to meet on the Sd of
January.
Mr.. Porter spoke upon his resolution, urging
its Importance, to avoid delay in the important
duties before the Convention.
Bayne (negro) said that he was certinly in
favor of an adjournment during the holidays
Some members had said that the Convention
hadn't done no work. Did they call breakin
new ground and thrown out roots not working.
He hoped that it wouldn't be his painful duty
to deny this emphatically. 1t might be said
that they was all an ignorant set of fellows new
hands at the bellows; but if they was, they
bowed though. Some of those men who had
been rocked in de cradle of education from their
birth up might say the Convention hadn' t done
nothln, but he would say they had without fear
of contradiction. He had just seen dat mornin
piece Of paper sayin what de Governor should
git a year, an how long he should stay in office,
and he had no doubt that other committees
were doing de same. Boys where studied books
must have vacation, and the Convention must
have der holidays. When de time for wotin
came, this Convention would JUS as certain
vote to adjourn as he was goin' to set down in
his ''chear. They might talk and talk zen
tel night, and the journment would be voted
for, and he'd tell de reasons why
In the first place, many resolutions has been
offered on this side of de house, which you all
on that side said was foolish, and many has been
offered on this side of de house which they said
was foolish; and it didn't make no difference
whether they was foolish or not, de boys put
EN- through to go in de committee, didn' t
they? The committees had been steadily en-
gagged picking these resolutions and THROWN
out de bad and retainin' de good
This adjournment must be had. s'I has in
my eye now bright-eyed man, lately married,
an he amt worth two cents five minutes at a
time; and he can't keep still ten minutes to
save his life, an [ know he goin home whether
you adjourn or not There amt no use talkin.
you got to adjourn, or won't have no members
here. Our wives is lookin for us. De turkey
is already bought, and de pig is already killed
and hung up, an we must adjourn from next
Monday untwell de Sd of January. They could
go home and consult with their constituents,
and git new ideas and better manners if thew
wanted EN-. And above all things, let de rum
bottle alone, as | has heard suggested. If by
accident it should slip in, don't saw nothing
about It. Now, the gentleman from Chester
field and some of de gentlemen from Richmond
can very easily talk about no 'journment, when
they is right here at home.'
Mr.. Porter called Bayne to order as he was
making remark rejecting upon him.
Bayne Very we'll I'll leave it to de Chair