The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-01-15

w. T. Sims, Union.
j. NJ. Allen, Greenvilc.
Progress of Southern Reconssruction
conventions-JVhat Will Follow.
Were it not for reports of some
wrangling or fsticuffing, or an appeal
for aims, we would hardly realize
that the work of Congressional Re
construction is now going on, OF
supposed to be going on, in five of
the ten Southern unreconstructed
States-to wit: Virginia, Georgia,
Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Alabama, the first to start the ball
under the programme Of negro supre-
macy reconstruction, has passed its
period of CESSATION and given birth
to q singular hybrid in the shape of
a State constitution. Iu this politi-
cal monstrosity are embraced provi-
sions which even the widest radical
in Congress cannot find it in his
conscience to endorse. Among these
are the free suffrage, white disfran-
chisement, confiscation, negro jury,
amalgamation and other favorite
theories of the radicals, to say no.
thing of the very Naturalization prin-
ciples of the trainers OF the constitu-
tion on the subjects of matrimony
and divorce. The election for the
acceptance or rejection of this instru-
ment is fixed for the 4th and 9Th
proximo, and in the meantime the
canvass, which also includes the
choice Of State officers under the
Gt nj !,
than usual fervor on the part of the
white population in opposition to the
negro supremists.
In Virginia, what with the Consti-
tutional Convention, the Conserva-
tive Convention. the meeting of other
bodies and the negro high-days and
holidays inseparable from the season,
there has been lively time at Rich
mond for some weeks past. The
Constitutional Convention met on
the 81 of December, and has pursued
radical course from the beginning.
The radical framework of the new
constitution has been presented
by piece-mcal, and discussions, alike
amusing, instructive and humiliating,
have followed. The negroes have
the upper hand. and the most ultra
measures have beep proposed. In
the distribution of privileges to the
inhabitants, it is difficult to ascertain
where those vouch-snfed the white
man come in. The proceedings of
the Convention are not only radical,
but revolutionary; and were it not
from fear of the military, they would,
no doubt, be characterized by acts of
violence which the records Of negro
rule in other climes cannot parallel.
The Georgia Reconstruction Con-
vention (Which convened December
81 has just rc-assembled at Macon,
after Il recess of some days. The
subjects thus far discussed in its
deliberations are similar to those
embraced in the Alabama Conven-
tion, with one eXception--that of
pay. The Alabama asscmblage voted
itself q certain amount per head per
day, and we believe the sums were
paid out of funds in the treasury. In
the case of the Georgia Convention.
however, those who held the KEYS OF
the public exchequer refused to honor
the drafts of the Convention, and
hence there were terrible complaint
and worrimant among the poor
black delegates. Some very honora
bly, went to work at one dollar and
half per day on public improvements
and thereby were enabled to subsist
without running into debt or becom
ing tax upon public charity. 1t i
now proposed, we perceive, to issue
State notes for the payment of th
wages Of the members, the credit o
the State, SO far as the Convention
has power to do so, being pledged
for their redemption. Finally, w
see Congress entering the field il
behalf OF the delegetes, and one sym
pathizing Senator proposes to SWEEP
out of existence ut one fell swoop nj
thn State officers who have tb