The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-29
THE CONVENTION.
CONVENTION HELD BY AUTHORITY OF THE
RECONSTRUCTION LAWS OF CONGRESS,
TO FRAME A STATE CONSTITUTION
FOR SOUTH CAROLINA.

The convention yesterday was chiefly engag-
ed in discussing the tax and per diem ordl-
nance. The first was found to be surrounded
with 80 much doubt that it was referred back
to the Committee on Finance for recons-dera-
ton. The other, after considerable debate and
MANY suggestions, was finally ordered to
third reading.
1t is evident, however, from the expressions,
that few outside of the committee appreciate
the financial condition Of the State.
A careful computation Of the cost OF debate
NOT including the pay Of officers, cost Of
printing, rent Of the hall, &c.-has enabled US
to fix the same at about .,oe!oe dollars per
minute.
To make motion, offec !, resolution, or
raise a point of order, to say nothing Of the
great amount of useless discussion on irrele-
want subjects, is, therefore, somewhat costly
undertaking.
Men who undertake to make the laws Of the
people should accordingly be prepared to say
something either very wise or very valuable
to Offset this fearful outlay which goes from
the peoples pocket with every tick Of the
clock.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION.
ELEVENTH DAY.
THE convention assembled at noon. Prayer
by Isaac Brockerton, a colored delegate The
roll was called and the journal read.
AN APOLOGY.
E.W. NJ. Mackey said he desired to express
his regrets to the convention for having as
saulted. on the floor Of the hall imm ediately
after its adjournment yesterday, the repr esen- So
tatiYe of one Of the papers OF the city. Inc
excuse he had to offer was the publication OF q
libel upon his father in the columns OF ols!y, @
scurrilous and Infamous journal; 6Iit Wnlle
apologizing to the convention, he said, he mad
no regrets to offer to the low individual whom
he had 30 Justly chastised.
/. J. Langley (colored), moved thai the ex-
planation be accepted and laid upon the table,
QUALIFICATIONS OF VOTERS.
MIR. J. M. Rutland, Charm an of the Commit
tee on the Legislative part OF the Constitution,
reported back resolution that all persons pos,
sessiug certain qualifications shall be entltled
to vote, and asked leave to refer the. same to
the Committee on Franchise and Electl ons'
So referred.
THE FREEDMEN's BUREAU.
B. F. Randolph (colored), from the Commit
tee on the Miscellaneous Provisions OF the
Constitution, to whom was referred reSolu-
tion praying the Congress Of the United States
to continue the Bureau OF Freedmen, Refugees
and Abandoned Lands until the restoration OF
the civil government, and then to establish
Bureau Of Education, reported that they had
the same under consideration, and recon-
mend-frst, that this convention petition Con-
gress to continue the Bureau Of Freedmen,
&C., until the restoration of the civil govern
ment, and secondly, that q Bureau Of Educa-
ton be established as soon as practicable.
Mr.. L. Boozer (white), from the same com:
mittee, submitted as q minority report that
they were not able to perceive either the ne
cessity or propriety of the proposed applica,.
Bureau beyond the time limited, to wit: July
16, 1868.
The special order !of the day being the ordi
nance introduced and laid over yesterday, levy
ing taxes for the support OF the convention