Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-02-18
UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
TUESDAY, February, 18th, 1868.

MEMORIAL EROM GEORGIA.
!, Inc President announced the receipt from
the Convention of Georgia of memorial to
Congress asking the loan Of $50, 600, 900 for the
Impoverished planters of the southern States,
which had been communicated to the Conyen-
ton of Virginia.
The document was read and referred to a
SPECIAL committee of five-viz:, Wilson, Cur
tbs, Hlne, Williams, and Bland
MINORITY REPORT ON ELECTIONS.
MIR. Walton on behalf of the minority of the
Committee on Privileges and Elections, Sub
mltted report concerning the eligibility Of Mr..
Mauzy to his seat which was laid on the ia
BILE and ordered to be printed
EXPENSES OF THE CONVENTION.
Mr.. Mclaughlin offered a resolution call
ing for report from the Auditor of the amount
expended, In paying the expenses OF the Con-
vention. Adopted
Carter offered resolution referring the ac-
counts for reporting the debates Of the Conven-
ton to the Committee on Contingent Expenses
tor auditing according to the ordinance OF the
Convention. Adopted
TOBACCO TAX.
Mr. Nash called up the report of the Com
mittee on Agriculture on the tobacco tax, which
IS based on resolution of Mr.. NJ. 4. Robert
son, embodying memorial to Congress asking
the removal OF the tobacco tax. Adopted
WEDNESDAY, Fe6rnd1y 18th.
PAYMENT OF Turkey.
Mr.. Thomas, from the Committee on Contln-
gent Expenses, reported an ordinance provl-
ding TOR the payment. of $l00 to Il. 5. Tukey,
contestant, being the amount Of his expenses
incurred in contesting the seat Of Mr.. South
all.
Considerable discussion ensued.
Mr.. Platte arose to a privileged question:
He disclaimed any responsibility for the report
of the committee. He had not been present
at any of the meetings of the committee, and
knew nothing Of its transactions.
The member from Rockingham Mr. Wood
SOM was in the same predicament, and had not
been notified of any of the meetings.
The previous question was called bat not sus-
tained-ayes 29 noes, SO.
MIR. Gibson, of Giles, declared that Mr.. Tu-
key prosttuted his place as registrar in order to
secure his election to the convention, and that
he had no intention Of resigning until he could
ascertain that his election was sure thing
He alleges, said Mr.. g., that he rendered his
resignation on the Saturday prior to his cleo
ton, but General Scho6eld says he never re-
ceived it, and he therefore felt justified in de-
nyng that it was ever sent him. Turkey had
moreover boosted that he had friends enough
in the convention to take him through any how.
The member from Giles therefore appealed to
the honesty and manliness of the Radicals to
vote down the claim, because it had no foun-
datlon In justice.
The vote on the motion to recommit result
ed--ayes, IA; noes, 62.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
TUKEY' S EXPENSES.
The ordinance granting E. S. Tukey, contes-
tant, $780, was taken up, read the first, time
and ordered for second reading
CONTINGENT EXPENSES
The ordinance providing for the payment of
witnesses, and for other purposes, was put
on it's third reading and adopted.
Mr. Woodson offered the following:
"ResoIred, That the clerks of all the COM
mittees of this Convention be and they are
hereby discharged"
Adopted, ayes SO; noes 25
DISCHARGE OF THE STENOGRArHER.
NJ. Platte offered a resolution providing that
after Saturday next the services of the stenog-
rapher be dispensed with. Adopted, ayes 81;
noes, 90
THURDAY, February, 18th
EXPULSION OF THE SOUTHERN OPINION.
Teamoh (negro) offered the following:
Whereas the reporter of paper called the
Southern Opinion has, in said paper, used the
word convict and "press" as applying
to loyal and legally delegated members of this
Convention; therefore
''Resolced, That said reporter or reporters
be forthwith expelled from the hall.
The resolution was indefinitely postponed.
HOMESTEAD LAW.
Mr. Porter offered a lengthy resolution which
provides for ENGRAVING in the constitution a
clause to exempt from seizure, levy Or sale, the
homestead OF a head Of family, not exceeding
in value So, 500, except under certain circum-
stances to wit: for purchase money for said
property.
For services rendered by laboring person
or a mechanic.
For a lawful claim for any taxes, assessments
or other public charges accruing since the Sec
ond day Of April, 1865.
For rent accruing after the second day of
April, 1868
For sherifs, sergeants' and clerks fees ac-
cruing since the I'd day of April, 1868
For liabilities incurred by any public officer,
or officer of court, or any fduciary, or any at
torney at law, for money collected
Nor shall such exemptions apply where a
lien has been acquired on said property or any
part thereof, by judgment rendered for a
debt contracted since the second day Of April,
1865.
The resolution was laid upon the table and
ordered to be printed
USURY.
Kelso (negro) offered the following:
Resolred, That the Committee on Taxation
and Finance be and are hereby instructed to
prepare and report for insertion in the Costitu-
ton an article providing that the rate of inte-
rest in this State shall be eight per cent on all
transactions carrying interest where no special
contract is made, but that all contracts made
between parties for any special rate of interest
shall be legal and binding, whether the same
be more or less than eight per cent" Laid on
the table for printing
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CASE.
1t will be remembered that while Mr.. Hun
nicutt was speaking some time ago he called
the Hon. r. NJ L. Hunter a traitor, whereup-
on Mr. Hunter of King George, member of
the Convention. told him that he was liar
The matter was referred to committee, which
submitted two reports-the majority report fa-
voring reprilnand by the President, and the
minority report dismissal of all proceedings
in regard to the matter The subject was
brought up to day, and received quietus by
being laid upon the table.
Mr.. Hunnicutt thought the action rehec-
ton upon him, and desired to make an explain
alton, but was treated as Captain Parr usually
ls-that Is ruled out of order. He managed,
however, to say that the convention had virtu-
ally declared that there is not traitor in the
whole land
TUESDAY, February 18th.
SUFFRAGE QUESTION.
II the report of the majority of the commit
tee be adopted 1t will create the following re
suits:
LIST. 1t will confer the right of suffrage on
al! the adult male negroes now in the State, or
who, migrating here from other States shall