Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-01-21
President Va. G. R. R. Company
RICHMOND, Va, Jan. l, 1868.
UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

SATURDAY, Jan. 11th 186S.-Mr. Eggett,
of Rockingham, offered a preamble and resolu-
tion which concluded as follows:
''Now the members Of this Convention, by
reason of the facts set forth, do hereby declare
that they have no right to frame any Constitu-
ton for the State Of Virginia. that the bill be-
ing illegitimate which called it into existence
the product Of congressional violence on consti-
tutional rights, all the acts of such Convention
must necessarily be usurpative and nugatory !;
this being so, they do hereby declare all pro-
ceedings appertaining to the formation of a
State Constitution as adjourned without day. :"
Mr.. Clements arose to point of order. The
resolution was out of order as it ignored the
right of the Convention to make Constitution
for Virginia.
The Chair ruled against the point. The res
olution denied the right of the Convention to
make Constitution for Virginia. but did not
ignore it.
Mr.. Hine opposed the reception of the reso
luton as out of order.
Mr.. Bowden moved to lay on the table for
printing
The question being divided, and the vote ia
ken with ayes and noes the motion to lay on
the table was carried-ayes, 6S; noes, %.
The motion to print was carrled-ayes, 46
noes, A.
FEMALE LECTURESS.
Mr. Hne offered a resolution granting the
use of the hall for Mrs. Harper, the mulatto
lecturess, to deliver lecture which was car
ried.
Teamoh (nigger) offered the following:
''Resolued, That the Committee on Finance
and Taxation be instructed to incorporate in the
report the following provision That no lands
shall be assessed for taxation at less rate than
two dollars per acre.. Referred.
BILL OF RIGHTS.
The morning hour having expired, the order
of the day was called. The Convention re-
solved itself into Committee of the Whole,
Mr. Bowden in the chair.
The question being on the amendment of Mr..
White to the preamble, the following substi-
tutes were offered
By Mr.. Clements:
1--WE, therefore, the delegates of the good
people of Virginia elected and In Convention
assembled in pursuance of said acts, invoking
the blessing of Almighty God upon our work,
do adopt the following constitution and form of
government for this Commonwealth"
By Bayne (nigger):
I'VE, therefore, the delegates of the good
people of Virginia elected and In Convention
assembled in pursuance of said acts, do, in the
name of God, and invoking his blessing there
on, adopt the following constitution and form
of government.
By Mr.. Thomas:
1--WE therefore, the delegates of the good
people of Virginia elected and In Convention
assembled in pursuance of said laws, and invo-
king the favor and guidance of Almighty God,
do ordain and establish the following constitu-:
ton and form of government for the State OF
Virginia
Mr.. j. G. Gibson moved to strike out OF
Bayne's amendment the words, ''Of God and
invoking blessing thereon" and insert the
Fortieth Congress of the United States" in lieu
thereof
An extended discussion ensued, pending
which the committee arose.
PER DIEM.
Mr.. Clements offered a resolution cutting
down the per diem, after the 31st day January.
to four dollars.
Mr.. Liggett moved to cut it down to fifty
cents.
The resolution was laid on the table without
discussion.
Brother Hodges remarked, just after the
Convention adjourned, in reference to the per
diem resolution, that ''some of these men was
jess a maxim clap trap resolushins and mo
shuns to git before de public, and git into Corn
gress" He evidently has no idea Of having
his '.hard-earn and jestly- deserved wages
curtailed.
RESIGNATION.
Mr.. Walton offered resolution instructing
that General Schoield be officially notified of
the resignation of Mr.. Robert S. Beazeley, del
egate elect from Madison. Adopted.
The Convention then adjourned.
TWENTY DAY.
MONDAY, Jan. 13th.-Mr. Porter, from the
committee on privileges and elections, presented