The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-02-13
The TSrgiae50 Contention
ORDERED BY CONGRESS TO
FRAME A STATE CONSTITUTION.
FIFTIETH DAY.

WEDNESDAY, February IL, 1858.
The Convention met at the usual hour.
Prayer by the chaplain.
PAYMENT OF TUKEY.
Mr., THOMAS, from the Committee on
Contingent Expenses, reported an ordl-
nance providing for the payment OF Sloo
to F. S. Turkey, contestant, being the
amount of his expenses incurred IN con-
Testing the seat of Mr.. SoUTHALL.
Considerable discussion ensued.
Mr.. PLASTER arose to privileged ques-
ton. He disclaimed any responsibility
for the report of the committee. He had
not been present at any of the meetings of
the committee, and knew nothing Of its
transactions.
The member from Rockingham (Mr.
WooDsoN) was in the same predicament,
and had not been notified Of any Of the
meetings.
The previous question was called but
not sustained-ayes, 20; noes, So.
Mr.. E. GIBSON opposed the ordinance
vigorously, and moved its recommittal. In
the course of his remarks he alluded to
the fact that Mr.. SNEAD had stated that
General Schofeld could not decide who
was eligible to the Convention. Did the
gentleman mean to say that these military
commandments down South could not decide
or do what they pleased? The first thing
the gentleman knew he would find himself
charged with treason and sent to the Libby.
Mr.. SNEAD: 81 would like to ask the
gentleman a question. Does he believe
that General Schofeld's decision that any
one who voted for the ordinance of seces-
sion was guilty of an act of rebellion ?"
NJ. GIBSON: "As far as I am concern
ed, sl say Yes. 1 voted for the ratification
of the ordinance of secession, and be-
lieve that was guilty Of an act of rebel
| lion. But the members on your side deny
this, and some of them say they voted for
it through fear" Laughter
MIR. SNEAD: 81 will ask you further.
Do you think that General Schotield was
right in deciding, under the reconstruction
laws, that the simple vote, without other
acts, was an act of rebellion?"
Mr.. GIBSON: "Why, sir, when you
come to that, don't acknowledge General
Schofield nor the laws that created him !;
and besides, these are questions that l
have not bothered myself about"
Mr.. SNEAD: "Oh well, then, you are
arguing on no grounds in this matter"
Mr.. GIBSON: "I'm going on the old
principle of fighting the devil with fire."
[Laughter.]
Mr.. SNEAD: elf the gentleman is argu-
ing at me, disclaim the honor of having
even an acquaintance with his Satanic
Majesty"
Mr.. GIBSON continued his remarks until
the morning hour expired; when, on mo-
ton, the rules were suspended until the
Turkey question could be acted upon.
The irrepressible BAYNE of course
! made speech in favor of the ordinance;
| and, as a consequence, the dead institution
| ian old incubus of slavery must come in
| for share of his indignation. &C De men,
bers from de yuther side came into de Con-
wention with de old principles of rebellion,
and fought on those intrusts; but arfter a
few more rounds they would be thoo. He
had heard it argued on the other'side that
some o. de members O. der committee who
was Conservatives had not been notified.
No; and dey want goin' to be notified,
nuther, because they were one-idee'd
men. There want no honesty about dis
NATTER .E e.s
Mr.. GIBSON: That's just what we are
trying to PROVE"
BAYNE: eyes, but there is no honesty
on the one side. Ell dis contestant was
Conservative, when dis ordinance was pro-
duced dey would cling to it like grim
death to dog"
BAYNE was followed by NORTON.
Further discussion ensued after which
the previous question was called, and sus-
tanned.
The vote on the motion to recommit re-
sulted-ayes, IA; noes, 81.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention met at o'clock.
TUKEY's EXPENSES.
The ordinance granting F. S.. TUKEY,
contestant, 500, was taken up, read the
first time, and ordered for second read
ing. a-, ...'=
CONTINGENT EXPENSES.
The ordinance providing for the pay
ment of witnesses, and for other purposes,
was put on its third reading and adopted.
COMMITTEE CLERKS.
Under suspension of the rules the re-
port in regard to committee clerks was
called up.
Mr.. PARR offered the following as sub
stitute: ~ ..--sr
" Resolued, That the question of dis
charging the clerks of the respective stand
ing committees be referred to the said
committees with the request that the COM
mittees discharge their respective clerks as
soon as the circumstances will allow
Mr.. WooDsoN offered the following as an
amendment to the substitute:
"Resolved, That the clerks of all the
committees of this Convention be and they
are hereby discharged ,..sz,.s....--.ss
Brother HODGES favored the amendment
of Mr. WooDsoN. he didn't think dis mat
ter of clerkships ought to stay in de Con-
vention, because it was agin de intrusts of |
the people,, De Republican party was
new in dis State, and ought to stand on
vide, jest, and full grounds, and de clerks
ought to be discharged.
Mr.. PARR asked the gentleman if he
would discharge his hands before they got
through; and if SO, what would he do
HODGES; sid finish de work myself."
DIR. BQwDEN wanted to know II the gen.