Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-02-04
UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
THIN 7 It II II UA1
SATURDAY, Jan. 25th.

THE BANKRUPT ACT.
Mr. Allan, chairman of the committee ap-
pointed to memorialize Congress In regard to
the bankrupt act reported
1st. That many persons who desire relief are
not able to pay the amount necessary, under
existing arrangements; to avail themselves OF
the benefit of the privileges of the bankrupt act
I'd That under the provisions Of the act as
it now exists a number of insolvent persons are
deferred by the stay law from coming under
its operations.
The committee therefore prays Congress for
its extension and modification, so as to relieve
the people of Virginia as far as practicable from
their present financial embarrassments.
They furthermore suggested that members of
the convention be sent to Washington to lay
the matter before Congress.
The report was adopted.
RESOLUTIONS REFERRED, &C.
By Babcock-To have daily sessions from II
A. NJ to P. NJ.
By Lewis Lindsey, negro-That all cities and
towns in the State, having 5000 inhabitants
shall be divided into wards, with polls for each
ward, and that residents shall vote therein and
in no other portion of said cities or towns.
THE MEMBERS FROM RICHMOND.
Mr.. Mayse, the Conservative member from
Bath, threw bombshel among the Radicals
by offering resolution that committee be ap-
pointed to wait upon Gen. Scho6eld and ascer
tain whether the members now occupying seats
from Richmond in the convention are entitled
to the same, after the facts disclosed by the
census recently taken, to wit: that the negro
vote, upon strict search, cannot be found in the
city by which it was alleged they were elected
The Congo members billed" over with indig-
nation, and could scarcely find words in which
to express their resolves" to lay upon the ta-
BILE, postpone, &c. Even Uncle Specs really
lost his accustomed parliamentary dignity in
his outbursts in favor of disposing of it expedi
tiously. After considerable skirmishing, which
showed plainly that the Radical members dared
not meet the issue, it was laid upon the table
| ayes 49, noes 81.
The same subject, from indications, will be
brought up again by the Conservatives
THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TAXATION
The consideration of the report of the Com
mittee on Taxation was resumed at one o clock,
when the following section was adopted
Taxation, whether State, city, or county,
shall be equal and uniform, and all property,
| both real and PERSONAL shall be taxed in pro-
portion to its value as prescribed by law, ex-
cept as hereinafter prescribed. No one species
of property from which tax may be collected
shall be taxed higher than any other species of
property of equal value. "
The second article of the report, which reads
| as follows, gave rise to lengthy discussion, in
which the representatives, so-called, of sea net
tie, oysters, rocks, terrapins, hard crabs, hog
fish, &C., showed a disposition to allow the dry
land unfortunates of the State to pay all the
taxes:
s'Article Q No tax shall be levied upon any
citizen of this State for taking or catching any
of the natural productions Of the waters there
of; nor shall any tonnage tax be imposed on
vessels engaged in transporting said natural
productions but oysters removed from their
natural bed and planted may be taxed as por-
ton of the personal property of the owner. .
Pending the consideration of this section, the
convention adjourned at three 7. M.
THIRTY SIXTH DAY.
MONDAY, Jan. 9th.
| UNREGISTERED MEMBERS OF THE CONVENTION.
Mr.. Hine (Radical), from Fairfax, called up
his resolution offered on Thursday, providing
that no one who had failed to register under