Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-04-14
UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

'The Legislature shall not appropriate any
money for the support of colleges or high schools
until the common school system provided TOR by
this Constitution shall be in operation through
out the State: Pouided That normal or
schools for preparation of teachers shall be con-
sidered as a portion of the common school sys-
tenn"
Referred to the Committee on Education.
MIXED SCHOOLS.
The mixed school question was called up, and
all further debate ended by call for the pre-
vious question; which was sustained.
The question being raised as to the effect OF
vote pro or con on the substitute of Mr.. Porter
the Chair decided that the vote would not be
upon the adoption of the substitute, but would
decide which proposition the Convention pre-
ferred
This gave rise to quite an animated discussion.
The Chair, being pushed by many, questions,
said that it would not decide that this was the
strict parliamentary mode OF procedure, but 1t
would prefer that the question would be put In
| the manner mentioned.
| The ruling of the Chair was appealed from.
Bayne, of course, took part in the sklrmlsh-
ing that followed:
Hine rose to point of order while Bayne was
speaking
Bayne turning sharply upon Hine) 'Set
down, and don't be interruptln' me: L M a
MAN, and don't want no more o dis toohsness
A motion was made to lay the appeal on the
table,
Bayne held the.foor, and the Chair decided
he had it.
| Mr.. Clements appealed from the decision.
| Bayne: Il don't care if you do. L wont
yield"
Clements walking down the aisle): II want
to know if the Chair is going to refuse to put
an appeal"
Bayne: Yes, he is. Your appeal is put
down won't yield
Mr. Clements well see about that
Bayne II a1on't yield
After some more confusion, caused by about
twenty members endeavoring to gain the floor
at the same time, order was restored.
The motion to lay the appeal on the table was
finally lost-ayes, SO; noes, 46.
The appeal was then sustained.
The vote was at length taken, and on Porter S
substitute resulted ayes 90, noes SO.
On Bayne's proposition the vote resulted ayes
81, noes 81.
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
The special order Of the day, the consldera-
ton of the report of the committee on the Ju.
dietary upon the petition ofThomas Barton and
others asking relief from levy for debt, was called
mode of procedure, which was finally decided In
favor of considering the report, the ordinance,
and the substitutes therefor, all at the same
time.
Pending the discussion on these, the Conven-
ton took recess.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention met at o clock. The ques-
ton Of the morning sessl ion was resumed.
Pending the discussion, a noise was heard and
a rush made towards the door. Some one ex-
climed, Fight outside - but it was found out
that the excitement was caused by the arrival
: of Sergeant Bates with his flag.
4 NJ. J. G. Gibson moved that he be invited
to privileged se%s on the floor.
) Mr.. E. Gibson seconded thG motion as an
honor to the flag.
Mr. Porter, (Radical), who had the floor re-
, fused to Weld it for this motion. He did not
want the flag introduced under Copperhead au
> spices.
The discussion was eoattnuea Entl it was
} found that there were many members lacking &c
constitute quorum.
A motion to adjourn was carried,
THURSDAY. April 9.-The Convention met a.
IL O'clock Prayer by the chaplain, who asked
deivefanee from the arm Of the military and the
capricious whims OF arbitrary rulers.
SERGEANT BATES.
Mr. E. Gibson offered the following
Whereas, Sergeant Bates, an officer of the
Federal army in the late war, has reached this
city on his tour through the South for the pro-
motion of harmony between the sections, and
for the advancement of reconstruction there
fore,
''Resozpeq, That eommittee of three be APP
pointed to wait on the Sergeant and invite him
to privileged seat on this floor.
Mr. Clements (Radical) moved to postpone
indefinitely Bland (negro) seconded the mo-
tion The motion was carried-ayes 4S; noes,
o. Not Conservative voted in the affirma-
tive, and Captain Parr and Mr.. Winston were
the only Radicals voting in the negative.
DAY FOR ADJOURNMENT.
Mr. Hine moved that the following resolution,
; sent up by MIR. Clements, be taken up. This
was carried under suspension of the rules.
sResozved, That the Convention will com
: plete it's labors and adjourn on Tuesday, April
18th, subject to be called together by commit
tee of FIVE, to be hereafter appointed.
Bowden moved to amend by inserting Fri
day, April 18th" This was accepted.
Mr. Mclaughlin moved to strike out all after
April 18th, and insert sane de-" This was
lost-ayes, % noes, 55.
The resolution as amended by Bowden was
lost-ayes, 80; noes, SO.
f The original proposition to adjourn on Tues
day was adopted-ayes, 46 noes, SO.
MODIFYING THE OATH.
Mr.. Thomas offered the following, which was
laid over:
'Resolred, That the proper committee con
!, slider the expediency of modifying the oath Of
office required of county officers, and report al
, as early an hour as practicable.
!, HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
The order of the day: the subject of relief
was taken up, and discussed uatil the hour fol
recess.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention met at o clock, and the dis
cussion on the homestead question was resumed
and continued until the Convention adjourned
FRIDAY, April 1O.-In the Convention Por
ters article for homestead and other exemptions
was passed to day by 4S to Al. 1t provides
that real and personal property to the amount
of So, 900 shall be exempt from past and future
debts, except those for the purchase price Of
the exempt property, wages OF laboring men
taxes, and other meritorious claims. The fight
over it was very lively and its adoption was
hailed with loud applause
The Patriots.
Things have come to this pass: that fit were
proved to certainty that Radical Southern
leader had stolen sheep and borne 1t OFT on his
back, or robbed hen roost. picked pocket,
or sacrilegiously stolen Bible from the altar OF
God, his character, standing and influence with
his party would not be affected by 1t. 1t Is not
so certain that he would not thereby acquire
more consideration and influence. Where the