The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-03-18
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The Convention assembled at 10 A M end wos
called 10 order by the President. A. G. Mackev
Prayer offered by Rev. j. NJ. Runion.
The roll was called and quorum answering TO
their namcs the President announced the Conyen-
tion ready to proceed 20 business.
The journal of Wednesday was read and ap-
proved.
Petitions from the following persons praying the
Convention to recommend the removal OF their po-
litica disabilities, were presented and referred TO
the Committee on Petitions: Jesse X. Stone,
Greenville; H. w. Lawson, Mathew Mcdonald,
Abbevile E. p. Lake, Newberry John w. Twit-
ty, Lancaster; John 7. Green, Sumter
The report of the committee on the Executive
part of the Constitution, Article I'LL, was taken up
for The third reading.
The article was read by sections and passed,
with the exception of Section I'd, which, on motion
of Mr.. F. J. Moses, Jr., was recommitted to the
committee with instructions to fix day for the in
stallation of the Governor elect and TO report to-
morrow morning.
The Con gention next proceeded to the considera.
ton of the Judicial department, Article w.. which
was read by sections, and passed for ratification.
Mr.. D. o. Duncan stated that the Chairman of
the Committee on the Judiciary was not present,
and he would state that the Chairman had prepared
an additional section 10 the above depart ment,
making it Section 33, which covers m Ordinance
passed by this Convention annuling all slave debts.
Mr.. Craig opposed the introduction of such
section in the Constitution as coming in conflict
with that part of the Constitution Of the United
States which prohibits any State from impairing
the validity of obligations andi contracts. If
adopted he would be compelled to vote against the
Constitution.
Articles ", VI, and VII were read a third time
aud passed.
The President then announced that this con.
cludes all the matter entitled TO third reading:
then in the hands of the printer. The remaining
sections would be given to the printer Mt once.
The President suggested that the Convention
take some action in reference to printing certain
number Of copies Of the Constitution, which as it
was already in type would not be so expensive
No order, however, could be issued until the house
prescribes what number of copies they desired
MIR. Whttemore said he would offer in the after
noon resolution in relation TO that matter.
Mr.. N. G. Parker moved. suspension of the
rules, for the purpose of introducing two resolu~
tions.
The rule, were suspended and the resolutions
agreed 10 as follows:
Re,oleed, That ]. J. Wright, D. H. Chamber
lan, ]. M. Rutland. B. F. Whittemore and W.
B. Nash be declared Vice Presidents of this Con-
vention, and shall perform the duties of President
of this Convention in the event of the inability,
BY death or otherwise, of the President
Resolved That when this Convention adjourn, it
shall be on Tuesday next, March l7ih, at 12 NJ,
subject 10 the call CT the Vice President in the
der in which hey stand, at any time the public
exigcnces shall demands Provided, that as soon
as tie presiding officer shall have received official
notice OF the ratification Of this Constitution by
the people, lie SHALL by public proclamation, ad-
journ the Convention sine die.
B. F. Randolph called up the following ordi-
nance which vas read third time, passed and de-
csred an ordinance of the Conventions
We the people of South Carolina. by onr Dele
gates in Convention assembled, do oriain. That it
shall be the duty of the General Assembly, at its
first session, 10 appoint commissioners TO investi
gate and ascertain what obligations of the State
are entitled 10 be held valid and binding upon the
State, in conformity with the provisions Of this
Constitution and the Ordinances adopted by this
Convention, and to report thereon 10 the General
Assembly; and until the General Assembly shall
have ascertaincd the validity of such obligations
payment for either principal or interest shall be
made on any outstanding obligation created and
incurred prior to the 29ih day of April 1865.
Mr.. S. Corley offered the following resolutions
which were agreed to:
Whereas. the Registrars in some Of the counties
of the State during the period Of our late regis
ration, forgetting thar virtue itself is meanness in
slave, refused to enter the names of colorcd men
on their lists simply because while slaves they
had been punished rs felons by nnincompctcnt au-
ocratc court held for the trial of petty offences,
therefore
Resolued, Tha. no offences heretofore commit
ted by slave, nor punishment inflicted on the
same. can now he held as coming within the intent
and meaning of the Reconstruction Laws in refer
once to felony, and hereafter every loyal citizen
should hold it to be Ills imperative duty to report
all Registrars so offending to the Commander of
the Second Military District, in order Tint they
may be visited with just penalties Of violated law.
Whereas the provisions Of the present Bankrupt
Law are beyond the reach of the really poor man,
and therefore practical nullity in their appca-
ton to the very they should above all others
reach.
Re.olrfd, That we, the members of this Consti-
tutional Convention, do hereby petition Congress
TO amend the said INV in such manner as to secure
its benefits to n without reference to the precise
amount Of the Indebtedness of the applicant or
the payment Of advance fees, which now re-
quired
Mr. D. II. Chamberlain obtained leave and in
troduced the following Ordinance, and moved its
reference to special committee of FIVE:
Whereas, during the recent rebellion against the
authority and Government of the United States
many dishones: practices were resorfed to in order
to enhance, in the public estimation. The nominal
value of the currency and securities issued by the
States confederaed in rebellion, and divers agents
were employed and acting for hat purpose in This
State, who while misrepsening the condition and
prospects of said Confedcracy, with the view of
deceiving the people as to the value Of its obliga
tions, took advantage of the creduity of the peo-
Pile, inducing them 10 part with real estate, and
other property, for such obligations, for the pri-
vate and personal benefit of such agents, and
those associated with them for such speculative
purposes and, whereas, without special aid from
the General Assembly, the persons thus defauded,
being stripped of their property and means, will,
in many instances, be unable to prosecute, with
effect. their said legal demands,
Be it Ordained That it shall be the duty of the
General Assembly, Mt its first session, to provide
the means of facilitating the recovery of all such
property and damages and, to that end, shall have
power to authorize the Attorney General to prose-
cute one or more actions or proceedings in behalf
of the persons so injured and against all officers