Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-01-28
UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY.

FRIDAY, Jan. 17th.-Mr. Parr offered the
following:
Whereas, it is of great Importance that the
Convention should close its labors as soon as
possible: Therefore,
Resolved, That committee OF thirteen be
appointed by the chair to draft constitution as
whole and submit it to the Convention, and
that all the present committees be instructed to
report at once to said special committee what
progress they have made, that the special com
mittee be enabled to avail itself of the result of
their labors, and that said special committee be
granted liberty to sit during the sessions of the
Convention.
Lindsay offered the following:
Resolved, That the committee on limitations
and guarantees be requested to report to this
Convention the expediency of inserting clause
in the constitution now being framed by this
Convention, to protect all persons in the full
enjoyment Of all their political and civil rights
within the State Of Virginia
Resolved, That all public institutions and in
corporated companies, or public places, where
licenses or charters are granted under the laws
of Virginia, shall be accessible to all persons
alike, who shall desire to avail themselves of the
privileges thereof Any abridgement of any of
these privileges shall be declared violation of
the spirit of this constitution.
Referred to committee on limitations.
Dir. Robinson offered the following, which
was referred to the committee on the judiciary
Whereas, in the elections for all county of
fcers now holding Office colored men were ex.
cuded from voting; and, whereas, of the eigh-
teen judges OF the State recently nominated by
the Governor and elected by the Legislature
seventeen are disloyal; and, whereas, nearly
every officer appointed by the Governor, elected
by the Legislature, or by vote of the rebels at
r lie npl lu fnrt ri J
vindictive part they took in the late rebellion
and whereas, it is impossible for loyal men to
receive even handed justice from many of oul
State courts and, whereas, nearly the whole
patronage of the State is under the control OF
rebels, who use their offices to Cypress loyal
men and retard reconstruction: Be it,
Resolved That this Convention request oul
national Congress to remove from office all per.
sons who cannot take the Congressional test
oath, and that this Convention be authorized
to fill the vacancies thereby occasoned, and also
request Congress to pass a law allowing civil
suits to be brought in the United States circuit
court by parties swearing that they believe they
cannot obtain substantial justice from the State
courts.
Cox offered the following:
Resolved, That the committee on elective
franchise and qualification for office be request
ed to report to this Convention the expediency
of engrafting in the Constitution the following
clause:
All persons before registering must take and
subscribe the following oath:
| Il - - do solemnly swear Tor affirm
| that will support and maintain the constitu
ton and laws of the United States, and the con
stitution and laws of the State of Virginia that
I am not excluded by any clause in this consti
tuition from registering; that will never counte
nance or aid In the secession Of this State from
| the United States; that | accept the civil anc
political equality OF all men, and agree not tt
| attempt to deprive any person or persons on ac
count OF race, color or previous condition, o
any political or civil right, privilege or immunity
enjoyed by any other class of men and further
more, that | will not in any way injure any per
son or persons on account of past or presen
support OF the government of the United States
the laws OF the United States, or the principles
for afiliation with any political party"
TWENTY NINTH DAY.
| SATURDAY, Jan. 18.-Mr. Thomas from the
Committee on the judiciary, submitted repor
upon the resolution Of Mr.. James providing fol
scaling debts contracted prior to the Sd day O
April, 1865, down to twenty five per cent. As
also, upon resolution wiping out slave debts
The committee, at some length, gave the reason:
why such action should not be taken, and did
not hesitate to declare that it would be uncon
stitutional, and could be so decided before the
courts of the State. The committee, in con
clusion. asked to be relieved from further con
sideration Of the subject. The report was laiG
on the table and ordered to be printed
THIRTIETH DAY.
| MONDAY, Jan. 20-Mr Allen arose to a
privileged question. He made speech in ex-
PLANTATION of the charges brought by Mr. Eustace
Gibson against the committee on printing He