The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-03-09

e Mr. BROOKE opposed the gTouna TAKEN
by the committe and took the position ttnat
the necessities OF the State demanded that
these taxes should be paid In money.
The amendment Of MIR. GRThsLEY was
pending on adjournment. *, ), IS,
49,. HOUSE OF DELEGA fEs.
The SPEAKER in the chair.
The Committee on Constitutional Amend
ments reported Joint resolution proposing
several amendments to the Constitution,
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
was granted Messrs. ADAMS two days; ASH
TON four days, and Indefinite leave OF abb
sence TO Mr. OGLEsBY.
PERSONAL.
Mr.. MusHBAcK stated that he would have
voted against the substitute offered by Mr..
HARRISON (of Sussex to House Dill NO.
294. to take the sense OF the people as to
calling a constitutional convention, and
against the bill, but had paired Oft with Mr..
NICHE. So. =.
The House bill providing for the pay
meat of license-taxes in money was passed
ayes, ~; noes, Sc.
| -, MANCHESTER.
Senate bill to extend the limits OF the
town Of Manchester. -
THE WINTER SESSION.
Senate bill providing for another session
OF the General Assembly sin December"
was passed by the following vote :a
AYEs-Messrs. Adams, Akers, Attklsson: Bar
bour, Bocock, Berger, ]: r. Cartel ?: J.: carter e
Coleman, Crank, Davis, Dickinson, EDWARDS, Evans
Fnrr Fauptleroy Ficklen. Fowler, Frazier, Fulker.
Fulton, Hamili9n. HaEdesty H. iI M,rrs91
I. James. Kelly, Lacy. Lady, Lee McCabe, Moffett
Norton, Powell. +. G. Robinson, J.. b. Robinson,
shumate aTos Wm
Taylor, Van Lear, ). Walker, .. J. r. White. 7. NJ;
White, Wilmer, iWingleld Witten, Wright, and
NoEs.eMessrs Anderson, Ashton, Bernard, Bland,
Bohannon, Chase. Coghill, Cox, Crutchfeld, pance'
Hs aE
eauli. McCraw, McMuilap, Moncure, MOorman,
land Reese Ryland, Sandidxe. Shelbmrne, Shriyer,
w i. Taliaierro, Trout, G. Walker, w. NJ. Walker,
elJs r. .;tag TOBACCO SAMPLERS. ~ 80.
The House agreed to the Senate amend
ment TO House joint resolution extending
the time for the appointment by the GOV
ernor Of samplers Of tobacco.
The resolution now gives the Governor
such time as may be necessary, "without
conflict with bis other official duties"
.f~s.,- THE CONVENTION. ,.
The question being upon reconsidering
the vote by which the House on yesterday
refused to order to engrossment the bill
providing for taking q vote in November
| for calling convention, Mr.. ALLEN (hlr.
GRAVES in the chair) spoke In support OF
| the motion. He claimed that there was no
middle ground. and but two courses to pur-
sue-to raise taxes, or for the State to get
| control Of her revenues. The latter Ii
| seemed the Legislature could not now ac-
complish. Hence convention was neces-
sary. Being asked by Mr.. KYLE how the
convention would be able to settle the debt
question. Mr.. ALLEN said if he had time
he could suggest dozen ways-extreme
measures they would be no doubt, but
effective. and within the Federal Constitu-
ton. Two he named were to so frame the
Constitution that coupons could be taxed
out of existence. The other to levy all the
taxes through the counties; require the
counties to pay their State levy into the
Treasury. But the probability would be
that the creditors would see that it was to
their interest to effect a compromise. II
the people vote down the convention pro-
position Mr.. ALLEN promised that he would
take tue hustings and advocate increased
taxation as the only alternative left to pre-
vent reputation and ultimate ruin.
Gen. TALIAFERRO said he was opposed to
convention. He believed it was not de-
sired by the people, and that they did not
desire to have the trouble and worry Of q
canvass on the subject. A convention
called by this bill would not assemble for
two wears. Such body would cost largely
over one hundred thousand dollars, and it
was luxury the people could not afford.
The very same results could be accomplish
| ed by revising and amending the Constitu-
ton under the existing Constitution at 4
period as early, or almost as early, as by the
call of convention. The Legislature has
now the power to revise the Constitution,
and thorough revision can be accomplish
| ed in less than two years without cost. The
gentleman from Shenandoah (Mr. ALLEN
Droclaims the object he has in Yicw-to
| take charge Of the finances Of the State
| to amend the law so as to control them.
| Does he not know that the provisions OF the
United States Constitution apply as well to
the Constitution as to the statute laws Of a
State, and any effort to change the contract
made with the creditors by change in the
organic law would be rs futile as an effort
to destroy the obligation by statute law.
But the gentleman says he can project a
scheme to manage and control the financial
question by convention. The present
system 81 taxation can be changed. The
ad vaLorem plan OF taxation can be substi-
tuted by plan Of specific taxation. Is the
gentleman prepared to return to system
| which for many years has been repudiated
by the people Of this State, and to advocate
system which would authorize discrimi-
nation in favor OF one species OF property
and against another, and to destroy the
principle of equality and uniformity which
is so cherished by the people? II so, he
will find himself not supported by them.
There is another way, and that is to destroy
the organization Of the iudiciary-to re-
move the present judges OF the Supreme
Court. Is the gentleman prepared to re-
sort to so revolutionary principle! Does
he wish the judges again elected by
the people, and TO have the ermine
bedraggled in the mire OF political
strife He did not believe the people de-
sired such spectacle. But the gentleman
said he wanted to readiusr the debt by
means OF a convention. Why wait until the
convention assemblies? Why not readiust
now? This Legislature is as competent to
offer terms to the creditors as convention
can be. A bill has been ordered to be re-
ported to it to accomplish this object. Why
does not the gentleman unite with the mode
rate men OF either side and now offer such a
compromise as may be accepted? If that is
done, and it should be accepted, then, by
bis own argument, there is no occasion for
convention.
Mr.. TALIAFERRo said he was unwilling to