Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-03-10
UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

SATURDAY, February 29.-Ysnkee Allan,
chairman OF the committee on printing, submit
ted report, which was read and laid On the
table. 1t sets forth the fact that letter-heads
ana envelopes are largely in excess OF what had
been ordered, had been printed, and asked the
adoption of the following resolution:
Resotued, That the committee on printing be,
and they are hereby, authorized to audit the ae-
counts OF the Convention printers (Nlessr. u. ).
5. Hunnlcutt q Bro. for printing letter heads
ana envelopes, at the prices set forth In the re-
port OF said committee of this date
Curtis offered the following:
Hes0tced, That the general debate Of the re-
port OF the committee on the elective franchise,
&C.. close on Monday next, with the adjourn
ment for that day.
After considerable wrangling the previous
| question was called and seconded. The ayes
| and noes were ordered on Curtis resolution
The vote stood-ayes 49, noes 80. 1t was
adopted
MIR: Walton, of Shenandoah, then took the
moor IN opposition to the majority report OF the
committee and negro suffrage
at the conclusion of Mr. Walton's speech,
hoDlnson, mulatto, got the floor, and made his
| hrst speech He advocated the most violent
and ultra social equality doctrines, and mani
| tested great bitterness of feeling and the most
Mndlctlve sentiments towards white people,
When he got through the Convention adjourn
FRANCHISE.
MONDAY, March 1.-The hour for the order
of the day having arrived, the franchise ques-
ton was taken up. Messrs. Curtis and Nick
| erson spoke on the subject. At the conclusion
OF the latter'S remarks, the Convention took re-
cess
AFTERNOON SESSION.
| Mr.. Nickerson resumed and concluded his
| remarks on suffrage.
He was followed by Mr.. Lydick in favor of
negro suffrage.
| James River James followed on the same
| track
Mr.. Owen spoke for some moments, defining
his position and explaining why he should vote
| for universal suffrage.
! At the conclusion of his remarks motion to
| adjourn was lost.
| A motion was made to reconsider the resolu-
ton closing the debate Monday evening. AT
ter some discussion. this was carried
| Mr.. Allan then moved to amend the substi-
tute by closing the debate on Tuesday with the
remarks of Mr.. Hunnicutt, who should be en-
] titled to the floor Immediately after the order
OF the day shall have been taken up. Carried.
| TUESDAY, March 3.-Mr. Curtis offered res
olutlons endorsing the action of Congress in i'm
peaching the President. Laid over
| THE BALANCE.
| Mr.. Thomas called up the following:
"Resolued, That the balance of the 800, OOO
set apart for the use of the Convention, be so
apportioned as to give to the members of the
| Convention the sum of ffty-two dollars each
and the balance be divided equitably between
| the printers and other officers of the Conven
ton, and the Secretary be instructed to issue
certificates accordingly"
After some discussion If was adontad-aves
II; noes, 20.
The franchise question was taken up, Mr..
Hunnlcutt on the floor. He spoke until the
hour for recess.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
| Mr.. Hunncutt took the floor and resumed
his remarks. He spoke nearly two hours and a
half, making over four hours in all, in his usual
style, adding that he would 60 in for the dis
| franchisement Of 80, 900 persons, in addition to
those already DISTINGUISHED by Congressional
enactment.
At the close of his remarks, the Convention
adjourned.
IMPEACHMENT APPROVED.
WEDNESDAY, March 4.-Mr. Curtis called
up his resolution of yesterday approving the
impeachment of President Johnson
Adopted by strictly party vote-ayes SO !;
noes, 80.
Ten members absent.
The franchise question was taken UP, and, on
motion, the minority report of Messrs Marye
& Co., was first considered.
The vote on the minority report, inserting
the word white" and requiring prepayment
of taxes as qualifications for suffrage, resulted
ayes, SO noes, %.
then taken up, and rejected by decisive vote
| Discussion 11DoD thIa nunCtior uoo 1inito6 RI
five minutes.
The first section of the majority report was
| then taken up, as follows
SECTION l. Every male citizen of the Uni
ted States, twenty-one years old, who shall have
been resident of this State six months, and of
| the county, city, or town, in which he shall Of
fer to vote three months next preceding any
election, shall be entitled to vote upon all ques-
| tons submitted to the people at such election
Provided, That no officer, soldier, seaman, or
marine, of the United States army or navy,
shall be considered a resident of this State by
reason OF being stationed therein: And pro-
vided also, That the following persons shall be
excluded from voting
81. Idiots and lunatics.
80 Persons convicted of bribery in any c.
lection, embezzlement Of public funds, treason,
or felony.
| SO. Any person who shall challenge anoth-
er, or accept challenge to fight duel, or act
as second to any person about to engage in a
duel
Il. All persons who, by the proposed a.
mendment to the Constitution of the United
States, known as article fourteen, or by the re-
construction acts, are prohibited from holding
Office, or from registering, to vote for delegates
to the Convention to frame Constitution -
| Ptorided That the General Assembly may, by
a two-thirds vote of both Houses, remove the
disability imposed by this clause"
Adopted-ayes, So; noes, rs.
THURSDAY, March 5.-No business of i'm
portance was transacted to day. Most of the
session was wasted by squabble over prop
osition to grant the use Of the Hall to REV"
Mr.. Hill, of Liberia, for lecture. The ques-
ton was introduced by Mr.. Allan. When he
arose to address the Chair the President said
''The gentleman will take his seat, unless he
has resolution to offer"
Mr. Allan-'Mr. President"
The President-"The gentleman will take his
seat unless he has a resolution to OFFER
Mr. Allan-'sI have on more than one oeca-
sion been ordered by the President Of this Con
| ventlon to take my seat when L was rightfully
on the floor. | have never treated the Presi-
dent or any member of this Convention other
wise than respectfully and demand that the
President of this Convention shall treat me with
proper respect. You cannot know, sir, whether
am IN order or out of order until you hear
what | have to say. arise to call up resou-
| ton offered by me in regard to allowing the use
l e -, lon IL r. of rhor, for