The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-21

gest that the clergymen on the floor should be
respectively called upon in turn to act as SER
geant -at-arms, and that the remainder of the
convention be responsible for each and stand
as his bondsman while officiating In such CO.
pacity.
r. j. Moses, Jr., reminded the gentleman
that, however funny he might incline to be on
the subject, the question before the conven-
tion was on adopting the report OF the COM
mittee, and not the election of sergeant-at-
arms.
The President stated that the adoption OF
the report would necessarily elect NJ. NJ John-
son serg geant-at-arms.
Various points Of order, motions to lay on
the table, to amend, to recommit to recon
slider, and indefinitely postpose werc made
with a view to kill off the report, and as der
nier resort, Langley (colored), from Beaufort,
inquired, ''Was Mr.. johnson loyal2" This
brought out an explanation from tho commit
tee, and nm endorsement, politically and per-
sonally, so satisfactory to the house that cries
Of 'squestion" brought the President to his
feet. the question was put, and the report
adopted. NJ. N. Johnsonis is, therefore, sergeant
alarms.
coNF1scATIoN.
B. R. Randolph (colored), OF Orangoburg,
offered the following resolution, which he said
was introduced like similar one on Friday
last, for the purpose. of making ON informal
declaration of what he believed to be the senti-
ment of the majority upon the floor:
vention the confscation OF property and dis
franchisement of citizens for disloyalty should
be left solely to the Federal Government.
The President said that, under the rule, this
being matter Of grave importance, involving
the permanent opinion Of the convention, 1t
should be referred to the proper committee.
Randolph did not relish this course. He
h11t fha vOin NJ
vention was against him, and the resolution
was sent TO the Committe on Franchise and
Elections.
OUT OF FUNDS.
JIM. Rutland (white) of FAIRFIELD, offered
the following:
Resolued, That it be referred to the Commit
tee on Finance to inquire into the condition OF
the Stale Treasury, and report to this conven-
ton at the earliest practicable day. (Laughter.)
Adopted.
A sTAy-LAw.
F. J. Moses, Jr. (white), OF Sumter, intro
duced the following:
Whereas, Forced sales OF property under
legal process ut the present unpropitious Pc
Rod When cotton is 80 much deprecated in
value, the daily necessar1es OF life are high,
and the whole country in so unsettled condi.
tion-endangers the entiro planting interest
and almost every other solid interest in the
State, depriving planters OF the power to con-
tjnue preparations for their crops, and nearly
al Of the laborers in the country OF their
homes and the means OF obtaining provisions
for their daily subsistence.
And ,clereaS, the general destitution that
must inevitably ensue can result IN no benefit,
save to small class of persons who live BY
speculating on the ruin of others, therefore
be it
ReSolued, That the representatives OF the
)pcople Of South Carolina, in constitutional
convention assembled, do hereby respectfully,
but earnestly petition Brevet Major-General E.
r. 8. Canhy, commanding the Second Military
District III order to afford this convention the
necessary time in which to mature proper
measures OF relief for the people OF the State,
to suspend for three months all sales Of proper
ty under execution or other legal process un-
der any judgment or decree, rendered by the
courts OF this State for debt or debts con-
tracted prior to the 30th day OF June, 1865.
DR.. j. C. Nesgle (white), of York, moved
that the rules be suspended to allow OF the i'm
mediate adoption of the resolution.
1 Lemuel Boozer (wh1te), considered This one
ef the gravest questions that could be submit
ted to the convention. For one he desired that
it should take the usual course OF other reso-
ptions, and be properly delberated upon be-
Sere attempting to rush it wildly through the
body.
F. J. Moses said he was glad to hear the gen
tleman acknowledge the question grave one.
On the first Monday in February sale day oc-
ours in all of the districts. A large amount OF
property Is advertised to be sold, and unless
some action Of this kind is adopted, it will be
sacrificed under the hammer of the auctioneer.
It is, therefore, time that the question should
be considered, and without reference to some
committee, Of which the gentleman himself
might be chairman, to be there retained
until too late to effect the beniicent object
in view. If necessary, said the speaker, let us
crush" the measure through the convention,
and show to the people Of the State that we are
willing to rush anything through which is de-
manded for their good and welfare. [Applause.]
Cries of question"
G. C. Bowen said he was opposed to the reso-
luton in its present shape. Relief would un-
doubtedly be given to the people. 1t was the
desire Of q large majority Of the convention,
but he was opposed to anything that sayored
Of class legislation, and the resolution offered
proposed nothing else.
]. s. Craig (white), Of Colleton-an ex-Fede.
raj officer-Favored the measure, and hoped it
mittee where it might be laid to rest forever.
Tho question was then taken on suspending
tho rules, and the motion Of the delegate from
York was not agreed to.
The resolutions were referred to the Commit
toe on Legislation.
HOMESTEAD LAWS.
J. A. Allen (white), of Greenvile, offered
long series Of resolutions cmbodying his views
on the homestead law. which wero referred to
the Committee on the Judiciary.
The same delegate submitted the following,
which was disagreed to:
Resoued, That the judiciary Committed be
instructed to inquire into the legality of ex-
tending the benefit Of any and all exemption or
homestead laws passed by this convention to
all debts contracted prior to the passage OF
such law, and be empowered to call to their
aid tie best legal talent in the State ii by them
considered necessary.
lit may be remarked here, parenthetically,
that the disposition Of the convention is evi-
IDENTITY to have nothing to do with outsiders not
identified with them in sympathy and interest,
and that certain way to kill measure is to
associate with it the name of any official in the
State
GEOGRAPHICAL DIVISIONS.
IS. Langley (colored), of Beaufort, sub
mitted an ordinance to change the name of the
election districts South Carolina into counties,
and to divide such counties into townships,
said townships to bo not less than five miles,
nor more than ten miles square. Referred to
the Committee on Legislation.
BILLS RECEIVABLE.
DR.. u. C. NeaGle offered the following:
Be at ordained, &C., That the President Of
this convention do place his signature and Off
cial title, dated ut Charleston, January 20,
1868. across the face of 100000 of the bills Of
this State, authorized by act OF the Legislature
of this State, passed on the 21st December
1855. and known as "Bills Receivable" Aud
that all such bills bearing said signature shall
be 'legal tender" for all debts, public or pri-