Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-03-31

"Virginian'' treat the Spectator with equal
fairness? Nous Uerrons.
UNCONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
THE UNDERWOOD sPRAGUE BRIBERY CASE.
WEDNESDAY, March 25-Mr Gibson, of
Giles, offered the following:
WHEREAS, The following card, written by
one of the members Of the convention, appears
in one of the daily papers of this city. Here
follows the card of Mr.. Hawxhurst, in relation
to the Sprague Chase Underwood bribery prop
osition. And, whereas, it is due to this con-
vention, that grave charges like the foregoing.
involving the honor Of the presiding officer Of
the same should be examined into and refuted
if false; therefore, be it
Resoiced, That special committee of thir
teen be appointed to enquire into the same, and
report Immediately what action should be taken
in the premises.
The Clerk, while reading, coughed On reach
ing the expression in regard to Judge Under
wood and the Chief Justiceship of the United
States, when Mr. Gibson remarked: Don't
get sick over it, though it is enough to turn any
body IS stomach.
A hurricane followed on the Radical side, a
half dozen negroes and others rising at once. =
The Chair (Porter) in vain endeavored to quell
| the storm.
MORE DISFRANCH4SENKNT.
| Pending the consideration of q sweeping dis
| franchising section the convention took recess
| at two clock
AFTERNOON SESSION.
| The wholesale proposition to disfranchise
| nearly every Virginian, offered by Hine and de
| feated yesterday, was renewed
! Mr.. Allan, Republican, in calm and forclble
argument, as did Mr.. Maddox Of the same par
~, earnestly opposed it. The latter stated that
he had been advised by the Hon. VIM. d. Kel
y not to go beyond the Congressional plan i, in
| DISTINGUISHING. 1t was further opposed by
Bland, colored Republican, Thayer, white Re
| publican, and Messrs Gibson, Campbell and
| French. When we say we have never heard
| these three Conservatives make better speeches
| for their length than they did in opposition to
| the proposed monstrosity, we pay them no high
| er compliment than they deserve.
1t was ADVOCATED by Bayne, Hodges, and
other ultra Radicals.
| Pending the further consideration, the con
vention adjourned.
THURSDAY, March 26.-The subject of dis
| reimbursement was resumed and discussed by
| Harris, Lindsey, Clements and Moss.
Mr.. Clements spoke in opposition to further
dsfranchisement. He said that nineteen out
| Of every twenty of the Republican members in
Congress were opposed to any disfranchisement
| further thar that comprised IN the reconstruc
ton acts. He SAID this upon his own RESPONSE
bity, and defed any one TO deny it.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The discussion OF the morning session was re-
| sumed. 1t was decided to take vote on the
subject under consideration at o'clock
At that hour the vote was taken on the two
| propositions.
The substitute Of Hine was as follows;
Every person who voted for candidates who
advocated or were pledged to secession, for dele
| gates to the Convention that assembled in the
| city Of Richmond on the 9th day of February,
| 1861 and every person who advocated seces,
sion, by writing or speaking, before the first
Monday Of March, 1861. or who voted for like
candidates, or advocated like measures, in any
| other State: Provided, That the above pro
| visions shall not be construed to exclude any
person from voting who was in the army or navy
Of the so called Confederate States, and before
the LIST day of January, 1865, laid down his
| arms and refused to support the cause Of seces-
sion, Or whose disabilities have been or may be
| removed by special act of Congress, in which the
| individuals relieved are specified by. name
1.-The General Assembly may, by athree ffths
vote, taken by ayes and noes in each individual
| case, remove eny disabilities imposed by the
above named fifth CLAUSE"
On this, the vote resulted-ayss, 80; noes,
so.
Hawxhurst's proposition was as folIaws
mo person shall vote or hold any office who
was a candidate for the Convention that assem-
bled in Richmond, on the 18th day of February,
1861, and pledged to the measure Of secession,
or who, previous to the 18th of April, 1861, ad
vocated that measure by speaking or writing, or
who was engaged in irregular or guerilla war
fare against the United States, or who treated
prisoners otherwise than agreeably to the rules
of civilized nations in like cases. Or who was en-
gagged in the enrolling or conscripting service in
aid of the rebellion, or who induced men to join
the forces opposed to the United States by
threats or intimidation, or who has threatened
forcible resistance to the reconstruction or i'm
peachment measures of Congress
This vas Iost-ayeS, 80 noes, 48.
Mr.. Allan moved the subject of disfranchise-
ment be indefinitely postponed. After much
squabbling, this motion was adopted-ayes, 65
noes, II.
A motion was made to reconsider the vote by
which the iron clad oath was adopted as test
for Office
Several other motions were made after this,
among which one to adjourn prevailed.
rs The Spectator should be placed ip the
hands of every voter.
The Washington correspondent Of the Bait.
Gazette under date of Wednesday last says:
but little Is said here to. night touching the