Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-01-29
SEVENTH DAY.

January u.
The Convention assembled at - NJ, and
was called to order by the President, A. g..
Mackey.
The President announced the first business
in order to be the reports Of Special Com
mites.
Mr.. G. c. Bowen made report of the
Committee on the Judiciary, resolution in
relation to contracts, where the consideration
was for the purchase Of slaves, stating that
they had considered the Slime and recommend
for their adoption the following ordinance:
First. We. the people Of the State Of
South Carolina, by our delegates in Conven-
ton. do hereby crdain and declare, that all
contracts, whether under seal or not, the con.
sderaton of which were for the sale of slaves,
are null aud void aud Of nou-cilect
Second. No suit, either at law or equity,
shall be commenced or prosecuted on such
contracts, and proceedings for the satisfac-
ton and payment of judgments and DEGREES
WHICH at any time heretofore have been re
corded, rendered, enrolled. or entered upon
such contracts. arc hereby forever prohibited.
Third All orders relative to such con-
tracts which may at any time heretofore have
been made in any Court of this State, either
Of law or equity, whereby any property, real
or personal, is held subject to decision as to
the validity OF such contracts, are also de-
cared null and void, and Of non effect.
The President stated that the Convention
having at 81 early session Of the body adopted
the Rulcs Of the House Of Representatives,
and regarding the term ordinance in the Con-
veuion as Synonymous with Bill in the Leg
slatiyc Assembly, the Chair was compelled to
decide that DO ordinance can pass the Cen
yen,;on until it has received three readings.
The Chair decided therefore that this ordi.
nance had received its first reading.
Mr. n G. Parker made the following report:
The Committee on Finance, to whom was
referred ar ordinance relative to the valida
ton of portion Of the bills receivable Of
the State, and the sale thereof, and the man
ner of levying and collecting the tax auhc-
rized by Act Of Congress, to deeray the ex
penses OF the Convention, with instructions to
report thereon this mcrning, beg leave respect.
fully to report, that they are in correspon-
dcnce with Major General Z. R. S. Canby,
the Governor Of the State, ard other State
officials, from whom information is asked, and
that it was impossible 10 arrive at any con-
clusion at so early day, and respectfully ask
further time, with the assurance that an early
report may be expected
Report adopted.
Mr.. Whlrtemore offered the following,
which was referred to the Committee on Leg
slation.
1t shall be the duty of the General Assem-.
bis. rs sooa as circumstances will permit, to
form penal code, founded on the principles
Of reformation and not Of vindictive justice,
and also to provide ono or more farms to be
an asylum for those persons, who, by reason
of age, infirmity, or other mislortunes, may
have claim upon the aid of the benevoence
of society, that such persons may therein find
employment and every reasonable comfort,
and lose by Their usefulness the degrading
sense of dependence.
L. S. Langley called for the special order,
namely, tie report OF the Committee recon-
mendlng G petition to General Candy to sus,
pend, for three months. the collection of all
debts contracted prior to the Goth OF June,
1865.
After considerable debate the matter was
made the special orGer for half-past one to-
,nnrrou