Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1868-01-24
THE VIRGINIA CONeENfItH.

TUESDAY. JAN, 14th.-~The morning hours
was taken up witlra discussion, recesses aud
sessions.
The Convention went into Committee of
the whole and resumed the consideration OF
the Bill of Rights.
MIR. Porter offered the following substi-
tute for the 18th article, which was adopt
ed:
"Neither slavery nor Involuntary servi-'
tude, except as lawful imprisonment may
constitute such, shall exist within this State"
Mr.. Platte offered the following as the
0th-articlc:
1.-The General Assembly shall have power
to enforcethis article by appropriate legis-
lation."
The committee then arose. A resolution
was offered, and carried. to appoint a COM
lnlittee to wait on Gen. BE-. Butler and
rcauesthim to address the convention, which
was immediately followed by a resolution to
invite Gen. Henry A. Wise to address the
Convention in answer TO the ''Beast." This
resolution was discussed. The mover. Mr..
4. Gibson, temporarily withdrew it, in Or
der to allow MIR. Thomas an opportunity to
move a reconsideration of the invitation to
Gen. Butler, which was being argued and
Mr.. Gibson had the floor, when Gen. But
Ter entered and declined to suspend his re-
marks. as requested by the Chair, and said
Gen. Butler nor any other man had a right
to stop him from speaking when he had the.
floor. The chair decided that he must sit
down as an act of courtesy. Several appeals
were taken to the decision of the Chair, which
the Chair declined to consider. A motion
to adjourn was made and lost The Chair
invited Gen. Butler to address the conven-
ton, when the Conservatives, in a body,
and Messrs. White and Snead, radicals. re
tired.
Gen. Butler then addressed the remain
der of the convention, the gist of whose
harangue was to hurry up a constitution,
that the State might be speedily restored and
cast her vote for the next radical candidate
for President. After his address a vote of
thanks was adopted blythe RAIDS present.
The Convention then adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, Jan, 15th.-Mr. E. Glib
son moved to correct the Journal so as to
show that Gen. Butler entered pending the
discussion of the motion to reconsider the
invitation rendered him and also to insert
motions to adjourn. The Chair decided the
proceedings disorderly and that the Journal
should stand approved. ssnt "a .
Committee on taxation and finance made
a lengthy report. Laid on the table to be
printed. -e
A resolution offered to require Committee
on judiciary to inquire into expediency OF
| adopting an ordinance forever forbidding the
collection of any debt contracted prior to
April 9Th 1865, was referred. g5as..
A lengthy resolution en- the subject Of
public schools was offered and referred AL
so another on the subject Of population, one
to prevent Imprisonment for debt, and anoth-
er to abolish the usury laws.
The Convention went into committee Of
the whole. The Goth article, offered by Mr..
Platte was adopted.
Mr.. Platte offered the following as a sub
stitute II, the first article of the Constitution
which was adopted:
1.-THE declaration Of the political right:
and privileges of the inhabitants Of this State
is hereby declared to be a part of the Con.
stitution of this Commonwealth, and shall
not be violated on any prctext whatever"
Article End Of the Constitution was taker
up and several amendments offered when the
Committee arose, and reported to the Con.
v%ention the adoption of a preamble and Bill
of Rights. Laid on the table to be printed
Messrs. Walton, Scott and Gibson brough
charges against the Chair, for breacl
Of rights and privileges. of members, in hi
imperious conduct to MIR. E. Gibson and in
cidcntal til ereto and asked for a special Com
mittee to investigate and report upon otl'
same. Refused to be received ayes 80
noes 40. Gat5T1
THURSDAY, JAM, 16th.-Mr- Robertson
offered a resolution ito respectfully ask Con
gress to take some action looking to TIN
amelioration Of the deplorahle condition o
the col,red people," Laid over. Wery good
Let Congress relieve-him from political agi
fation, and order Gen. Howard to instruc
his Bureau Agents to disabuse their mind
as to the receipt Of anything but their free
dom at the hands Of Congress and the Gov
eminent and require them to labor, honcstl,,
and earnestly, instead Of idhng their tim
away and the ''deplorable condition" of TIL
colored peoples; and the country, will b
speedily s'slneliorated." Editor.) -.
Mr.. Underwood resigned the Chair am
offered a resolution, in favor of giving tb
franchise and right to hold office to ever
male citizen of the State, of sound mind an
good reputation. which he advocated wit
vim, violently attacking Virginians gener
ally.
Mr.. Marye followed, in a lengthy speec
ard utterly used up the aforesaid Under
wood,
A. resolution to take a recess from
4 o'clock until half past I, was adopted.
Mr.. White said he had received addition
al evidence Of Mr.. Mauzy's ineligibility an
asked that the report referred back to til
committee. Adopted.
FE1DAY, Jan. l7th,-A resolution wa
offered fixing a tax of 25 cts. on every hun
dsed acres Of land up to 400 81, so for 80
and 81 per hundred in excess Of apo and 5
capitation tax on all males over 81 years
for the establishment and maintenance (
common schools. ~
Lewis Lindsey offered a resolution for tn