The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-06-04

informal presentation of views on the SUBJ
Ject Of relief, and called upon DR.. Lacy for
some remarks.
Major Lacy said he had 10 definite scheme
10 present, and, indeed, knew Of no scheme
which would please all parties concerned.
In large public meeting in Spotsylvania,
however. he had suggested that a court Of
eonclllatlon be formed to decide. questions
between debtor and creditor. In every
county there is now q county Judge sun
posed to be learned in the law. With him
alone might rest the decision, or he might as
soclaCe with him some one representing the
landed Interest. and another representing
trade, and let all be bound by the decision
OF the court thus formed. The speaker
would rather submit questions involving
rights of property to one wise man than to
q jury of his peers. IIe believed the trial
hy jury of a civil cause to he u humbug any
way. Still, he was not welded to any
scheme. Some relief is absolutely necessary.
The people must speak to the Legislature
in tones of thunder, and dcmand that their
wises be respected and, obeyed. The
friends Of relief must organize, for they
have IN organized enemy, with the press, i'll
most instances, under their control. 1t re-
mains for this Conference TO give form and
voice to the sentiments of the people on
this great question.
III !. Ddl potlI buCH SIOkc. lIc spuhc VI
the Georgia law as a model for our Lcgisla-
ture. That law had been in operation
several years, had stood the test OF. the
courts, and had proved TO be the very thing
needed by suffering people. 1t required
the questions to go to jury and, differ
ing from DR.. Lacy, he believed this to be
the best plan. You CAN'T often get twelve
men in Virginia together WR6 Will give a
verdict against the debtor. If not ,in;lni-
nous in his favor the jury would Inc hung,
and i'll this case hanging jury would be rs
good us carrying it; Il hung jury would be
rs good as Il stay law. The claims of the
oppressed debtor must not be intr,sted to
any one man-not even to 4 county judge;
for while some county judges arc good men,
others may be very hard. .,',
DR.. Lewis regarded this discussion as
premature, and suggested adjournment.
DR.. Fowler " Let us hear all sides. In
the multitude of counsel there may be wis
DOM"
DR.. Lewis: eyes; but the multitude is
not here" He then explained why there
was not a larger attendance. The pco-
pie are not here because they are afraid
to comc-afraid that when they return
to their homes the law as it stands
will be enforced against them. lie
agreed with Mr.. Barbour that Il jury
ought to try the questions between debtor
and creditor under the relief law. He was
not afraid to trust 4 Virginia jury, even If
cOlOred mcn are OH it, for cOlorcd men have
sympathetic hearts. But he did not intend
to discuss these questions nOw-more per-
sons may be present tonight. II it is re-
here talking to each other it may do harm.
Mr.. Wartman followed DR.. Lewis, urging
that to espouse the side of the debtor re-
quires real heroism. 1t requires herOiSm TO
say you are poor man. But he wished to
say that the people are with us. Herepre-
sented section as free as any from pecuni-
ary embarrassment, but in all that tine region
of country embracing such counties rs
Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Augusta,
the cry for relief is loud, and when the time
comes for its free utterance it will be heard
this side of the mountains. Nine out Of ten
persons are in favor of speedy relief. I'm
less we act speedily, and restrain the hand Of
ayarice, there will be a terrible state of
affairs throughout the Commonwealth. We
must have courage to take bold and de-
cided stand now. We must say to the
sheriff, "Thus far, and no farther shalt
thou go!" He urged that something should
be done ut once. II the Legislature obeys
the voice of the people it would tomorrow
adopt some measure of relief.
DIR. Fowler also spoke vehemently of the
necessity of speedy relief, but owing to the
noise made In the street without while he
spoke our reporter was unable to catch the
drift of his argument. 80
The meeting then adjourned until 8
o'clock P. N.
,,9,e NIGHT SESSION. $50 &astss
At the night session OF. the Convention,
Or. Conference, there were several more
delegates present, and quite a Number Of
members Of the Legislature were In attend.
ailce as spectators. s.. ...,.s.Ist. ~
The committee appointed to prepare bu.
siness reported the following resolutions
which were adopted: ssta
"1. Resolued, That the people through
out this Commonwealth are ordered imme-
diately!to memorialize the General Assem-
blyfor the passage of an act similar In prin-
ciple to an act passed by the General AS
sembly. of the State of Georgia in October
1863, entitled IAN act for the relief Of
debtors, and to authorize the adjustment
of debts upon principles Of equity
"2. RcsoIued, That committee OF FIVE be
appointed by the President of this Conyen-
tion to prepare memorial in accordance
instructed to have the same printed and
sent out to the country committees for cir
culation and signatures.
90. Resolued, That central executive |
committee of seven be appointed by the
President of this Convention with authority |
to appoint committee for each county
and to do all things necessary to make an |
effective organization of NIL the citizens. OF |
this Commonwealth who concur with the
Convention in the purpose to secure ON
equitable terms adjustment of ante-war |
debts. s. .5'- ~
Mr, Furbes, Of Tauquisr, offered the fol. |
lowing nv 4 substitute fer The 6fst rgselas |
Won, aayeeass7g !tS passage wisa great
eaFHestnses and abatisy -g-a,-
an set rroYidtng that the naysapal ,es.
tate os 3 debtor shall not be SaM ter shsd
payment Of his debts until his real estate ist
asst subjected thsreto, aud that such real |
estate when sold under dsgrsaiof my court
Tor payment OF debts shall be sold upon
ssyelt; eHa eight ysara, Rlsh interest
sss.s ssy;.a. sss ss1E Sssss