Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-03-31
Va. e.seconstruction' Convention.

In the Convention, yesterday, an ordinance
authorizing the issue of certificates Of indebted
ness to members ofthe Convention up to April
6, receivable. at the State Treasury in payment
of all dues to the State, was referred. A reso-
luton to suspend the payment Of interest on
the State debt, was referred. The report on
education was finished. Another amendment
to separate the two races IN school was lost
81 to 2l.~4The ordinance directs the establish
ment by the Legislature of a uniform system
of free schools, to 60 into operation by the year
1874.
. In the Convention, on Saturday, when the
article relating to Education was under consld-
Grafton, Peter Jones offered the following as an
additional section:
"That each county, city, and township in
this State shall be responsible for incendlary
work or any injuries whatever that may be
practised on any of the schools OF this State, to
be regulated by law
Peter hoped that the reporters would take
notice of what he said, becase he knew what
he was takin' about Hc knew dcre was dan
ger of secret bands of men who would burn
down school houses.
Lewis Lindsey said he was scedingly glad to
see so much respect paid to the resolution, but
it want no use. De Consertushun was gwlne
to be voted down, and Old Vcrginny was going
back on dc old title Of things. There was no
design for suspicion, as dc old Commonwealth
was always able to observe good order and pun
| ish dc wicked. D..
" The Convention, laid the proposed section
on the table,
Mr.. Wilson moved to strike out the words
leach county and public free school district
may raise additional sums by Il tax on property
for the support Of public free schools.
In the course Of the debate that followed,
| Mr. +. Gibson spoke Of the efforts OF the col
ored masses, led on by incendiary scoundrcls,
to tax property so heavily that 1t would even
| tually fall into their own hands
- Hunnicutt warm and wrothy): "What do
you mean by incendiary scoundrcls ? | wish
| from both sides: "Shut the door!"l
Hunnicutt (clinching his teeth and scarcely
| able to control himself) "Nevcr mind about
the door The man on the floor now is not
| afraid " ..
Mr.. Gibson replied that he might repeat the
| old adage, "Let him the cap fits wear it; but
he would not. He meant just what he said :
| Lied on by incendiary scoundrels;" and he
didn't care who took it to himself
The vote was taken on Mr.. Wilson's amend
ment, and resulted ayes 80, noes Sc.
Hawxhurst offered tho following as an addi-
| ti0nal section:
"All cities and counties shall be held &C
countablc for the destruction OF school proper
ty that may take place within their respective
limits by inccndiarieS or open violence.
The vote was taken upon motion TO lay THIS
on the table, and resulted ayes $780, noes 81.
Mr. j. II. Thompson, who had voted in the
! affirmative, finding that his name had not been
entered on the record according as he had vot-
cd, asking permission TO vote. The Chair de-
cidcd that he could not vote. From this an
appeal was taken. In course Of the discussion
on the appeal Radical asked the Chair if it
was decided that the member could vote, could
not other members change their votes White,
who was in the chair, made the two questions
parallel, and answered in tho affirmative, thus
defeating the motion to lay on the table, as
several colorcd members changed their votes
upon the hint thus given by their Radical
| lnadnrs