The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-02-19
THE RECONSTRUCTION CONVENTIONS.

ATLANTA. Feb. IA clause in the report of
the legislative committee, which proposed to en-
pewer the legislature to alter or abolish by two
thirds vote every charter which may be granted
hereafter by legislative authori y, was debated at
considerable length, and was finally stricken out
by large majority.
1t is said that sl5, 900 will be paid the conven-
tion tomorrow. Delegates are jubilant over the
prospects.
TiLLAHAssEE, Fls., Feb. Is.-Yesterday there
were twenty eight members in session. No i'm
pOrtant action was taken.
The Billings faction offers to compromise if
Billings be nominated for Congress. This the
majority party refuse to do.
The minority or Billings party are making stren-
uous efforts TO get additional signers to their Con-
stitutiOn.
General Meade arrived to. day. He says to both
factions: ReorganlZe, elect new president, and
expunge all records since February I'd. General
Meade is the guest Of d. s. Walker, acting gov
ernor.
The Constitution OF the body now in session, as
far ss acted upon, is generally acceptable.
TALLAHAssEE, FLA, Feb. lS.-The convention
to-day reOrsanized upon the basis proposed yes
teTday by Gen. Meade. There was much excite
ment among the delegates and lobbytes. Gen.
Meade, in conference with tie leaders of both
were Immediately accepted by the majority, and,
after consultation, by the minority, which was
that the presidents Of both wings Of the conven-
ton resign; that the four delegates declared in.
q
majority of the convention to decide all questions;
the question Of eligibility to be determined in full
convention Col. Sprague, commanding the State,
to call the convention 10 order, and that q new or
ganization be made.
At II NJ. Col. Sprague called the convention to
order. In his remarks he urged equal rights of
all men and classes as the basis of the COnstitu-
ton. There we're 40 members present out OF 46.
fernando jenkins, late president OF the majority
party, was elected president by vote Of 81 to s.
The standing rules and resolutions of organiza.
ton which were adopted by the majority, were
readOpted.
Gen. Meade and staff appeared in the hall after
reorganization and were introduced to the cOnven-
ton, and in response said he was grstied that
both sides had approached him in a spirit of lbe-
raty and be hoped harmonious action would
ensue.
A strict test vote iu the convention now stands
80 20 Is. If the alleged ineligible members re
main the convention will tomorrow take up the
Constitution thus far adopted by the majority and
readopt it. W. II Gleason was elected financial
agent Of the convention.
RICHMOND, Feb. lS.-The convention was en-
gagged to-day on the oyster question. IL was re-
solved not TO tax citizens for the privilege of
catching oysters with tongs, bat TO tax the amount
Of sales OF oysters. During the debate one men,
Der called another id scO&idrel.
proposition TO appoint committee TO devise
means OF completing the Chesapeake and Ohio
TsilrOad was tabled.
CHARLESTON, Feb. ls.-Twenty three sections of
the Constitution passed to-day. There was long
discussion on the homestead clause, which propO-
ses 70 exempt $500 from sale for all debts con.
tracted in the future.
Senator Wilson telegrsphs from Washington
that Congress will not loan 500 900 to the
State 10 purchase lands for the poor.
Jackson, Feb. lS.-The two members engaged
in q dispute yesterday made mutual concessions,
apologized and shook hands amid applause from
all sides.
Three additional sections of the bill OF rights
we're adopted.