The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-04-06

the collection Of debts, and as destruc-
tive of the credit Of those who were not
able to pay at the time for what they
desired to purchase 1t was said to De
for the benefit of poor men, but 1t would
be detrimental to their interests. be
hated the whole system OF Homestead
exem ptions, and despised the dema-
eogues that advocated such laws:
1t had been said that Virginia, the
glorious old Commonwealth that we all
loved so much, had homestead ex,
emption law such as was now proposed
in this State; but he would remind the
gentlemen that the Virginia OF to-day
is not the Virginia OF the past. mat
State is now under cloud. Her pres
ent misfortuues have been fixed upon,
her by negroes and abolitionists, ana
she would never have adopted sucn an
Questionable measure as homestead
exemption but for the votes OF the mis-
cradle set of politicians that now rule
that State. He hoped that the oTn'
veution would have courage ana moe
pendence enough to vote down tae
proposition, and refuse 10 insert IN ,ne
new Constitution any such refuge ior
dishonesty and fraud. M
At the conclusion of Mr.. Pannelis
speech q recess was taken, and the con,
sideration of the matter was resumeo
in the afternoon.
Mr.. Fitzhush thought the subject
should be left to the Legislature and
stated that at the proper time he would
move to strike out the whole section.
Mr.. Wilson favored the adoption OF
the proposed amendment. Mr.: JANA
her also favored the proposition as
tending to promote immigration oy
securing the settler against the harsn
exactions of creditors. Mr.. brown
said that if be could pass q la" that
would give to every man a farm ana
cottage of his own earning he would De
happy to do 30, but he could not favor
a proposition that gave to one man tne
property Of another. II a man 10 !ree
from debt he does not need any nome
stead exemption law; If he ia in DEBT
his property is not really bis own but
belongs morally and legally to his
creditor. lie thought Il at whenever
such law is needed in this State 1t
will be adopted by the Legislature, and
he was opposed to its being fixed in the
Constitution. Mr.. Raymond said that
he thought Constitutional provision OF
the kind contemplated WAS absolutely
necessary to the future welfare, pros
perity and development Of the state.
lie wanted to invite labor and capltai
from abroad 10 aid in promoting, the
wealth OF the State, bat above all ne
desired to retain within our limits our
native born population that is in many
localities moving westward. A home
stead exemption law will tend to make
these people coatentcd and prosperous
here. Mr.. Ward was opposed to the
exemption of personal property and
thong ht that the same industry and
energy that enabled man to accumu-
late property would also enable him 10
paw his debts. He regarded the home
steal exemption as more frequently
cover for fraud than affording relief in
meritorious cases.
Mr.. Jackson, OF Wood. replied to the
various opponents OF his proposition,
and at the conclusion Of his remarks
Mr.. Woods offered a substitute for the
entire section, and Mr.. Hagans pro-
posed further amendment. The latter
gentleman made lengthy speech upon
the subject, claiming that a spirit Of
,iberallty ana encouragement TO works
OF internal improvement would do more
to promote immigration than the ex-
emp:ion Of a homestead worth one
thousand dollars from sale for debt.
He favored an exemption law, but
wanted the Constitution to say that 1t
shonld not be less than five hundred
nor more than one thousand dollars,
leaving to the Legislature authority 10
specify the amount.
At the close OF bis remarks, a demand
was male for the previous question and
after some debate upon the subject, the
Convention refused to order it TO be
put. The debate was then continued
by Mr.. Davenport, Mr.. Cushing, Mr..
Warth and Mr.. Woods, and upon the
vote being taken it was decided by a
vote OF 81 to 81 to strike out $500 and
insert $1,000 as the value OF a home
stead TO be exempted from forced sale.
The consideration OF the subject was
resumed on Saturday and large por-
ton of the day spent in its discussion.
Numerous amendments and substitutes
were offered and so many alterations
we're made in the section as it came
from the hands Of the committee that 1t
is almost impossible to tell what is its
language now. | believe, however,
that no material alteration was made
in it's main features, other than was
accomplished by Mr.. Jackson's amend.
ment. One thousand dollars worth of
real estate and two hundred dollars
worth of personal property are to be
exempt from execution. L..