Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-12-17
NUMBER XIV.

II
| striking out what relates to the pay of the
secretary and his assistants, and referring that
portion OF the report back to the committee with
instructions to report definite number of as
| slstants and the amount of their pay. The
ordinance was then, under suspension of the
rules, ordered to be engrossed, preparatory to
It's third reading and passage tomorrow.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Mr.. Curtis, from the committee of thirteen
appointed to report on the standing committees,
reported recommendation that the following
committees be appointed:
On preamble and bill of rights and proper
distribution OF the powers of the Government a
committee of 7; on the legislative 4; elective
franchise 7; basis of representation and ap-
portionment IL; executive department 7 judi
clary department I education IL taxation and
hnances III county organization, courts, &c.
.; limitations and guarantees g; currency,
banking and insurance Z privileges and cleo
tlonss I; prisons, &c. ]; military affairs 7;
pardonlng power s.; agriculture, immigration,
&C. 9 internal improvements 7 revision and
amendment 5 schedule s.
On motion of Mr.. Marye, the report was laid
on the table and ordered to be printed.
OvERHAULING THE COURTS.
MIR. Allen, of Prince Edward, commonly
known as Yankee Allen submitted the fol-
lowing resolution
Resolved that committee of five be appoint
ed by the chair whose duty it shall be to receive
reports OF all cases where injustice has been done
by the civil courts of the State since the 1st
day of June, 1865 and to report to this conven-
tion as to the best means of redressing the evils
now existing In the civil Government of this
Commonwealth.
The vote was taken and Mr. Aliens resolu-
ton was voted down unanimously.
HUNNICUTT AND RIACK RITNCOMRE
Mr. Hunnicutt offered the following:
Whereas, Many laboring men of Virginia are
reported as having been thrown out of employ
ment because they concientiously exercised the
rights OF the American citizen In voting the
Republican ticket, and are on that account
thrown with their families on the cold charity
of the world, therefore
Resolved, That we, their representatives, in
convention assembled, take immediate steps to
alleviate their suffering condition.
Resolved, I'd That the president of this con-
vention be, and is hereby instructed to appoint
a committee of ten whose duty it shall be to
investigate this subject, and to recommend some
measures by which their sufferings may be relev-
ed at the earliest possible period.
Upon this resolution the '.friend and hero''
spread himself He talked of our holy relig-
ion, ''of civilization" of humanity" with a
pathos not badly simulated. Most of ''these
gentlemen" he said, who had been discharged
by their employers were poor men and men of
families. They had neither money, nor lands,
nor houses, nor even sympathy, except from the
party with which they had acted. The opposi-
tion party all the lands and are the disposers
of the destiny of the laborers How are these
houseless and friendless people to maintain and
shelter themselves during the winter that is up
on US? They were ready to work and were
begging for it. But in consequence of political
prejudices, they were thrown upon the cold
charity of heartless world. Some of them had
come to him with tears In their eyes and implor
ed him to help them. 1t was the imperative
duty of the Republican party to take care of
these people. The convention should lay tax
for their support, &C., &c. In the style the
heartless old hypocrte harangued the body for
some time, with no other object than to shift
from his shoulders the accountability that be-
gins to alarm him for the trouble into which he
has brought his own dupes. At one time in his
speech he had the audacity to refer to suffering
Confederate widows and orphans as receiving
his sympathy. He was promptly and indignant
ly called to order by gentleman on the Con-
tederate side. AS he took his seat he cast his
eyes up into the galleries to see what effect he
had produced upon his sooty constituents.
Mr. Gibson OF Fauquler, moved to lay the
resolution on the table, but withdrew the mo-
ton at the request of Mr. Gibson, of Giles, who
expressed his surprise that there should be any
person Of mature age in Virginia who did not
know that the needy and suffering are already
provided for by the laws of the State.
Hunnicutt wanted to know if there was any
law that provided for those who voted the Re-
publican ticket?
Mr.. Gibson informed him that the law did
not enquire into man politics Besides, said
he, there is your Freedmen Bureau. If that
is not to provide for such cases, what is it for?
Mr.. Williams, of Amherst, said if the appeal
of the member from Richmond had been to the
personal sympathy and private charities of
MEMBERS he would have been in order. But
it was only necessary to look at the law which
had called them together, and which defined
their powers and duties, to see that they had
no authority to take any such action as was
proposed. This convention, under the law
creating it, cannot raise or disburse a dollar
except to pay its own expenses.
MIR. Snead offered substitute providing that
when the committee In limitations and guaran-
tees is appointed, it shall be instructed to inquire
into the propriety or impropriety of Incorporate
ing into the constitution clause making it a
misdemeanor punishable by law to discharge
employees from service on account of their
political opinions.
Mr.. Leggitt of Rockingham, spoke at some
length and with much force in reprehension of
tuC TtSOluLIOu. 1uc COuVeuIlOu were 0OC dllOW-
ed to dispense benefits to classes or individuals;
they could not constitute themselves overseers of
the poor, nor board of managers to regulate
the relations of employers and employees. We
have not arrived yet at that condition ofdespot-
ism that determines who shall be employed, &C.,
&c.
Mr. Porter offered an amendment not differ
ing materially from Judge Snead's
On motion, the resolution and amendments
were laid on the table by decisive vote.
MIR. Clements moved that when the conven-
tion adjourn it be to meet Wednesday at IL
o'clock, in order to allow the members an op-
pOrtunity to participate in or witness the
ceremonies of laying the corner of Masonic
temple to omorrow.
The motion was defeated, and the convention
adjourned till tomorrow at the regular hour
Tuesday, Dec. 10.-The Convention met at
the usual hour, Mr.. Underwood in the chair
Prayer was offered by the Chaplain.
Mr.. Thomas, from the Committee on Finance,
reported an ordinance fixing the salary of the
Secretary at seven dollars per day, and that of
his assistants mot to exceed two in number) at
five dollars per day; that of the Chaplain at
twenty dollars per week and that of the pages
at two dollars (each) per day.
Mr.. Hunnicutt moved that the sum of $S be
substituted in lieu of 81; and that Sc be insert
ed in lieu of $5 for the the assistants.
Mr.. Allen moved as an amendment to the
amendment that SO be the per diem of the
Secretary.
The amendment of Hunnicutt in regard to
~ o,o. dion, of tba Coorotor,, ,rae oJoo+oJ