Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-01-21
UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
TWENTY-FIFTH DAY.

| TUESDAY, Jan. 14th -Morrissey offered the
following:
Resolved, That committee of five be ap-
pointed to wait on General B. L. Butler, and
that he be requested to address this Conyen-
| ton. 9
A motion to lay on the table was lost y
| A call for the previous question was sus-
| tanned The vote was taken, and resulted as
follows: Ayes As, nays IS.
| The following committee was appointed by
the president, viz: Morrissey, Norton, Win
ston, Williams and Scott
| Maddox and Clements explained that they
voted In the negative not out of dlsrespect to
Butler, but because they dislked the principle.
Mr.. j. G. Gibson explained that he voted in
the negative out of disrespect to Butler, and be-
cause he disliked the principle.
| Mr.. Gibson. of Giles, offered the following
| Resolved, That General Henry A. Wise be
| invited to answer General Butler, and that for
| that purpose the president appoint commit
| tee of three"
Some one on the Radical side contended that
as the resolution would lead to debate, it should
| lay over for one day.
Mr.. Gibson said it was neither courteous nor
honorable for members on the other side to
| take a snap Judgment on his resolution.
Mr.. Thomas moved to reconsider the vote in
viting Butler to address the Convention, and
stated his reasons.
Hine hoped the motion would be voted down.
He voted to invite Butler because of the insult
ing resolution offered on yesterday by the gen.
tleman from Rockingham. He wanted the
members on his side Of the house to show that
they would stand by Butler
Mr.. Williams asked that his name be taken
Oft OF the committee to wait on Gen. Butler
He was not in the House when he was ap-
pointed, and was unwilling to be placed on
committee for such purpose.
Mr.. Eustace Gibson said in support of his
resolution, that if the hall of the Convention
were to be turned into an arena for political
speaking, he thought it just and right that the
Conservative side of the house should be rep
resented as well as the Radical He would con-
sent to withdraw his motion to take the vote on
MIR. Thomas's motion, but would give notice
that if that motion failed, he would renew his
resolution
Whilst Mr.. Gibson was speaking, it was an
nounced that Butler was at the door.
Mr. White moved that the Convention ad-
journ.
The president refused to entertain the mo-.
ton.
The vote was called for on Mr.. Thomas mo
ton to reconsider.
The president decided that it was not in Or
der.
Mr. Clements appealed from the decision of
the chair
The president refused to entertain the ap-
peal, and said he hoped members, would treat
the gentleman invited to address the Conven-
ton with proper respect.
Mr. Gibson said he was entitled to the floor,
and contended for his rights as member of
the Convention
White moved to adjourn.
| Clements rose to a point OF order.
Many other members arose for many and d.
vers objects. A perfect Babel was instituted.
The president would hear nothing; enter
tain no notion He then instructed the SER
geant arms to introduce "the illustrious WISH
tor
The sergeant-at- arms did so.
As The Beast" came In, large majority of
| the Conservative members, and several on the
other side, left the hall
| He was seated at the left hand of the presi-
dent, and the confusion continued for many mo-
ments after his entrance.
Motions to adjourn were offered on the Rad
ical side, appeals from the decision of the chair
were persisted in, and FIVE minutes elapsed be-
fore sufficient silence to introduce ''the illus
trious visitor could be obtained
When matters had Quoted down, the pres-
dent introduced the Beast, who took off his
overcoat and harangued the Convention The
marked features of his speech were, first, that
in disfranchising rebels they must not only de-
prlve them or the right to vote and hold polltl-
cal Office, but also debar them the privilege of
being directors in any public institutions. Int
| word, all the avenues to wealth and influence
must be closed against them. Second, that all
taxation must be upon property, except poll
tax for educational purposes. Third, that the
convention must hurry up its work and get the
I State represented without delay in Congress.
| Congress would meet the convention half way.
| In the opinion of the speaker only three de-
| Lucrative bodies have ever convened that did
their work properly and promptly, to wit: the
| Parliament that beheaded Charles l., the As
sembly that decreed the death of Louis XIV,
and the convention that framed the Constitu-
ton of the United States. Not word did he
say, however, in commentator of the conven-
ton which nominated John G. Breckenridge, of
| which he was a part and MARCEL