Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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* *' LEWI1,^.; ^RIST' ^ An Inbuilt j^nxiln^^cto : jfo % Jgromt^on gf % |riitital, ^ttti^^riniltnral^it Cormrtcraal |irftrtste of tin- go#. ^ YOL. 14. YOEKVILLE, S. C., THURSDAY, JANUARY 80, 1868. N0/C $hc tfiravttttift. GOVERNOR OBITS SPEEClT i Mr. President and Gentkmen of the Convention : I esteem the invitation which you have extended to me to address this Convention, as a compliment paid to the existing executive authority of the State, more than to the individual who represents that authority, therefore, in behalf of the State for your kind consideration, I tender you my thanks. . You arc nere in convention to frame a constitution for the people of South Carolina, and have been elected in conformity to the laws of the United States. Unfortunately, in my judgment, for the best interests of the people of the^ late Confederate States, serious differences have arisen between the President of the United States and the Congress. In 1865, immediately after the surrender of General Johnston, the President appointed Provisional Governors, and provided for the calling of conventions in all of tnc Southern States. The programme which he adopted was not iu unison with the views of Congress, and, after very considerable delay, the Reconstruction Acts of March were passed. The Congress claimed that the power to reconstruct the Southern States which were in rebellion against the authority of the United States belonged to them and not to the President. Hence", they ignored his action. It is due to frankness, tnat 1 snouia say, mar, in my juugmeut, iuc umn projected by the President, and which has been carried into execution in all its details except as to the representatives in Congress, was not only liberal, bnt wise. With reference to the lattefpoint, however. Congress having taken a different view of the subject, determined that the Southern States shall not be admitted to representation and to equal privileges in the Union upon any other basis than tnat which has been prescribed. The acts passed, go even further. They assume that the South, in relation to the government, stands in the position of conquered provinces, and that as a conqueror, it has a right to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which the South is to be admitted into the Union. It is unnecessary, on the present occasion, that I should discuss the constitutionality or wisdom of the acts of Congress. Let it suffice for me to say that they have become the law of the land. They are laws which have been adopted in strict accordance with all the forms prescribed by the Constitution of the United States, and as a lawabiding citizen, not only now, but from the time of the passage of these acts in March last, I am one of those who believed that it was not only the duty but the interest of the people of the Southern States to go to work in earnest and cany them into operation. Hence, immediately after the passage of the bill in March last, I publicly advised the people of the Stated of all complexions, who were entitled to register to do so, and then go the ballot-box and vote for the very best men possible to frame a con-, stitution in conformity with the provisions of the Acts of Congress. My advice upon the subject ought, I think, to have been received as disinterested, since the execution of these laws excluded me from all the privileges of a citizen, because I belonged to the disfranchised class. At the extra session in July, the Legislature made the restrictions even more stringent than they Were before, and this harshness on the part of Congress has had much to do with the action of the white people of South Carolina, in refusing to.go to the polls and participate in any respect whatever in the election of delegates to the convention. In this, I think a great mistake has been committed by the great majority of whites of S. Carolina. My judgment was, and is, that every white man who registered should have gone to the polls and voted. 1 even go further. 1 think that the whites, who have the intelligence to a very large extent, should, in convention or otherwise, have submitted to the colored people of the State propositions as to the privileges and franchises which they are entirely willing to extend to them, now that the whole of the race have been declared free, not only by the constitutional amendment, but by action of the convention of the State. 1 v J 1 ik.i 'JLbe tact cannot De aisguiseu, nuwevur, uiut wo white population has almost unanimously abstained from exercising the privilege, and your convention is, therefore, strictly speaking, the representative onlv of the colored population of South Caro) lina. lliis being the case, it cannot be denied that the intelligence, refinement and wealth of the State is not represented by your body. Hence, the very high duty is devolved upon you of discharging the important trusts confided to your care, in such a manner as to commend your action to the confidence and support, not only of those by whom you were elected, nut of those who refused to go to the polls and vote in the election. I say to you, veiy frankly, that I regard this body as invested with the sovereign power of the State, and that the constitution which you may adont for the people of South Carolina, is one which will not only DC ratified and accepted by Congress, but one under which all classes in South Carolina, will live for years to come. The party which has passed the Reconstruction laws, has undisputed control of the government in both Houses of Congress, and will retain it until the 4th of March, 1869. Prior to that time a Presidential election will occur. The probability is that an individual representing the Conservative and Democratic element in the North and West, j will be elected President It'rnay be that a Conservative element will largely preponderate in the next election for members of the House of Representatives on the 4th day of March, 1869; and although opposed to the legislation that may have been adopted, it will be impossible to effect a repeal of these acts, obnoxious as they are to the new party, prior to the 4th of March, 1871. Cont firmed as I am, therefore, in the opinion that the legislation of the present and preceding Congress will remain in force until the 4th of March. '71, and that any constitution adopted by this convention will continue to be of force until that time at least. I have felt it to be my duty as the Executive of the State, and as an individual, to be r>resent in Charleston during the sessions of your convention, in the hope that through official if not personal influence, I may accomplish something in securing from the convention, a liberal, just and wise constitution. If such a constitution is adopted, harmony, good feeling and prosperity will prevail. If, however, extreme views and measures are engrafted upon that instrument, it will increase the antagonism which now exists between the two races, and force the whites of the State, who have the means to do so, to leave the borders and seek homes in other v.ommunities. It wi 1 produce discontent and disquiet everywhere, and confidence, trade and enterprise, will all be paralyzed. As responsible duties are, therefore, devolved upon you as were ever devolved upon a similar body of men in any State ; the interest and prosperity of South Carolina depend not only upon law and a good constitution, but upon the kind relations which are to be established between the two races. It is idle to disguise the fact that the white and colored races, where they have been thrown tof gether, with equal privileges, have rarely, if ever, been able to harmonize. The experiment of giving to the colored people of the South, all of the privileges of the franchise of citizens is a novel one, and time only can determine whether it is to be a success or a failure. On the one hand, it is said that the negro is utterly incapable of exercising the rights and privileges of a citizen. On the other hand it is said that the ' 'reb el"?the man who participated in the war?should not be allowed to participate in the government. Those of you, who arc to the manor born, know the fact that very few white men in South Carolina abstained from some participation in the late war. You know further that the intelligence, wealth and virtue of South Carolina entered eagerly into that war, and that when it is attempted to disfranchise or denounce these persons as unworthy of public trust, it is to exclude the real intelligence and experience of the State from her councils. This is one of the reasons why so little experience is to be found in your body. To supply this deficiency, it is the duty of the convention to give to every question, that may be submitted, the gravest and most potent consideration. When you appreciate the fact that the intelligence of the white population is antagonized to you; that all of your acts will be looked upon1 with distrust; when you remember that whatever I you do will be subjected to tbe severest scrutiny at1 home and abroad; when you know that whatev errors are committed here will be reviewed by n friendly eye j the duty is doubly incumbent upo you of framing a constitution which will challeng the criticism and commendation of the most intel ligent portion of the State. Believing as I have said to you that you hav assembled here with proper motives; that th constitution framed by ycu will be the law unde which the people of South Carolina will live fo years to come, and, occupying the position of Chie Executive of the State, I am here to give to th members of your body the benefit of whateve suggestions may occur to my mind, provided tha I can do so without seeming to intrude. My earn est desire is that this convention shall adopt a con stitution which will meet with the cordial suppor and approval of the white as well as the blacl race. If it be just, wise and liberal, when th* question comes upon its adoption, I shall certain! recommend my friends to vote for it. If unwis* or unjust, I shall be equally free to urgeits rejection It is proper to say here, that in my judgment, i was unfortunate that the election of delegates U this convention should have been influenced by th< politics of the day. Members should have beet chosen without reference to their opinions upot national politics. It was immaterial whether tnej were Conservatives, Radicals or Democrats. Th< best men of each district, without reference to an tecedents or to present political opinions, ought t< have been selected for tnc greatpurpose of framing a constitution. This was my aavice to the peoph r?f flio Sfnta mrmfho nern It. ira<i Ji niJltfpr nf lit,tl< consequence who was elected as representatives o1 the State in the Senate or House of Representa tives of the United States, whether Radical, mod erate Republican or Democrat, as compared witl the important duty of framing a constitution for i people which was to last for years. The whites ir the State have abstained from going to the polls and the blacks, mainly, have been controlled by th< Radical party. Although thus elected, let the members of the convention remember that the con stitution which they adopt for the people of Soutl Carolina may, in all probability, be the Constitutior of the State for the next twenty years?when Radical, Republican and Democratic parties may havt passed away and others have taken their place. Anything, therefore, which savours of a partisan purpose, incorporated in the constitution, may, ir a very few years, find that it has outlived its purpose, its supporters, and its proteges. In framing a constitution, many improvements may be made UDon the existing laws of the land. I beg veiy briefly to call your attention to 6ome ol them. If they are adopted, in my judgment, when the question is presented to the people of the State to ratify or reject the constitution, you will be able to command in its favor a much larger vote than was polled in the election of delegates to the convention. First Upon the question of the elective franchise, I desire most earnestly to recommend that you incorporate no disability whatever in it; that you allow every man in the State, even those who have been disfranchised under the constitutional amendment, to exercise the right of suffrage, and of holding office, with the restrictions that no one shall exercise that franchise unless he may be able to read and write, or has a property qualification such as youmay determine. In voting upon the ratification of the constitution you may adopt, all registered voters will ol course be included, which will, of course, secure its adoption. With the view of carrying out fully the views of the convention, the first legislature to be elected under the constitution, may be elected by all male voters over twenty-one years of age, but after that time, if not before, I urgently recommend that qualified suffrage extending to all classes'and races be provided for in the constitution. A man who ?a. ? i-l- -> TAMMAM* 1 * 1 Tnhn+l>nr< gues LU tnu puna aitci uauuai^ x, IOIU, HUUKUU he be white or black, who is not able to read or write, should be excluded from the privileges of a voter. Representing, as you do, almost exclusively, the colored element of South Carolina, you arc not invisible to the fact, and to the legitimate results, that very many of the voters who have sent you here have not that intelligence with reference to men and measures which should entitle them to cast a vote. You know that thousands of them are utterly incompetent to exercise this high prerogative. You may think that to perpetuate your power and to preserve your organization, it is necessary to continue the franchise to this class of persons, but eventually you will find that you have been sadly mistaken. Many of the colored men of the State have an intelligence which entitles them, in their new relations, to the privileges of citizens; but very many are incompetent to exercise them with discretion or judgment. These will become the prey of evil, vicious and bad disposed men. When an election is to occur with such voters, the bad will get their voters and not the good. In view of the fact that the colored population have a large majority iu this State, aud that the bulk of them are to be controlled by these evil influences, what kind of judges, legislators and executive officers can you hope for ? Is vice and ignorance to elect your judges ? Are the representatives of vice and ignorance to elect your legislators ? If so, what security have you for the rights of life, liberty and property ? I, therefore, in view of the responsibility before us, and in all probability in antagonism to the sentiments of a very large majority of this body, recommend earnestly that in framing that feature of the constitution conferring the elective franchise, you establish an educational qualification for the voter, but?not being able to read or write?that you establish a property qualification. Second. If you desire that this convention should commend itself to the favorable consideration ol ' ? 1 . > 1 1 T the people ot the etate, white ana coiorea, x recommend that you adopt in the constitution a provision for a liberal homestead law?that you make it applicable to all those who own a homestead, and protect them against antecedent debts. The disasters resulting from the war, the abolition of slavery, and, thereby, the wiping out of the fortunes of very many of those who were wealthy prior to the war, as a matter of humanity, demands that you should protect them, as to the past, by a liberal homestead law, and securing that home to its owner in the future. The homestead law which guarantees to a family fifty dollars or one hundred acres in the country, and a town lot or house in the city, is not only humane but patriotic. In the country, where the head of a family knows that his homestead is protected, lie goes to work to beautify and adorn the same. He plants his orchard and his vineyard.. He erects his buildings, decorates his dwelling, and makes all of his surroundings com' fortable, and invites happiness and content to his hearth. Perhaps one of the greatest troubles in Araericar legislation has been iu not protecting the home stead. It has made the American people alinosi as great wanderers as the Arabs. When a fathci planted an orchard or a vineyard he had no assu ranee that five years thereafter, the result of his care and labor would not pass into the hands oi strangers. Grant, therefore, a liberal hotnesteae law, providing against past and future debts, sc that the white man who has his home now, anc the black man who may secure a home by indus try and economy, hereafter, can feci that it is se cured to liim, and you will find, not only an in crease iu the prosperity and happiness of the State but you will stimulate a patriotism which has no heretofore existed. Wherever you identify a mar and his household with the soil upon which h< lives, you make that man, if from no higher con ?J A- ~ r\P nnnnfrtr n rlofonrlpr tVlf SlUCrttLlUIlS ui juvg vi wumvijy v %.v.v..v.v? ? couutry when it is assailed, because the assault i: upon his individual household. Third. I urge you to provide fortheabolishmen of imprisonment for debt. I have always consid ered tne incarceration'of a human being for deb as senseless and cruel, except in cases of positive fraud. It is advocated that imprisonment for deb is right, for the purpose of assuring creditors ir their demands, and that it curtails the capacity o an individual to secure credit, where this right i denied. In these views I do not concur. To b< perfectly frank with you, I think that the univcr sal credit extended to or claimed by a community is a great misfortune to that community, and if the homestead and exemption law, and the abolitioi of imprisonment for debt will reduce the tcrapta tion to men to ask credit, and curtail the disposi tion of those who hold funds or goods to extern credit, it will be u blessing to our people. To the farming interest especially, the credit system is i curse, and the sooner that and all other interests except perhaps the mercantile interests, dispense with it, the better will it be lor the general prosper ity of the State. ir Fourth. It is very important that this bed; o should adopt some ordinance to provide relief t n debtor's prior to the war. The temporary order e of the military commandant, extend to debts or 1- tracted during the war. AH debts now existing where the consideration is for the purchase c e slaves, should be absolutely wiped out by the con e vention. If these debts are recognized, it is a re r cognition of that institution, of its propriety, it r justice and morality. Most of the debts contract f ed prior to the war, were upon the faith and pos e session of property in slaves. That property t.n r been destroyed, and a liberal provision should b t made by this body in reference to debtors?the a i- mount and time when they may make payment o - the same. Do this, and you will commend you t constitution, under the most favorable auspices, U c the consideration of that class in South Caroliui e who have not participated in the election of dee V gates to thiseonvention. j Fifth. Education is now the great desideratuu . of all the colored people of South Carolina. Fo: t obvious reasons it was the policy of the State, pie > vious to emancipation, to exclude the slave popu j lation from the benefits and advantages of eauea ) tion.^ I will not discuss these reasons. But th< ! relations of that population to the State are ncv 7 materially changed. Hence it is of the utmost in > portancc that the largest intelligence possible sh.'.l a n 4- aIaoo AT an aP inlnl i . uc wuiuiuuiuiM;u \aj luau viaoo. i'xuii ui mivui ) gence have many more opportunities, through j their reading and observation, of learning and ap 5 predating the moral law and its requirements, > Profound ignorance, almost universally couples it f with crime and vice. Hence, the education of tin . black population?and, I am sorry to say, of manj . of the wnite population of the State?should oorv , mand the earnest attention of this body, i In providing for it, I beg to guard you againsl , attempting tolevy taxes exclusively upon property There is no taxation which is so universal, jusl \ and equitable as that upon the person or poll, foi ; educational purposes, since all are interested it having an intelhgeut and virtuous population, i Sixth. With reference to the conduct of tie i State, I have only to say to you that the treasui j is empty. The tax bill adopted by the last legislu! ture has failed, by $300,000, to produce the amount of taxes contemplated. We have, therefore, beer i compelled to relv upon what are known as tie i "bills receivable., ' issued by authority of the legij lature, to pay all officers and claims against tie State. The great depreciation of property, and i the general impoverishment of the State, has reduced the amount of taxes anticipated by the leg7 islature very materially, and consequently the finanio rrrrtoHt? nmKnrroocifl/l i UlOl wuuiuuu UA iut uwtio 10 gigau; wujvuiih(?u\i. i But it is very important that you should, in you i deliberations, by ordinance or otherwise, aeclare? i and nothing can more commend your body to the confidence of the people of the State, who represented its wealth?that all of the obligations of the State, all the bonds of the State created prior tc ; the war, and all the obligations of the State sina ; the war, shall be fully and faithfully redeemed.? i An ordinance announcing the validity of the obli1 gations of the State, passed by you, will at once rapidly and largely appreciate the value of the i bonds, now held at sucn low figures. The great ' discount upon the State bonds in the markets, hajc i and elsewhere, grows out of a want of confidante in the will and determination of the new goveVrment to redeem them. This you should set at rest And while you may with propriety repudii ate all obligations contracted by the State for war i purposes, the" credit of the State for other obligat tions should not be tarnished either by repudiation I or a semblance of repudiation. In framing your constitution, I cannot too earnestly commend to your favorable consideration the i importance of removing the disability from all of the white population of this State. When you look to the judiciary, I am very sure you can have no reasonable ground of complaint against thei r fairness or impartiality. Under the constitutional amendment most, or nearly all, are excluded from continuing in their position. Have you, in the State, members of the bar who are competent t:i discharge these high and important trusts with the ability, or even the satisfaction to yourselves, of i those who would be required to retire from the i public service, unless you make a modification retaining them in their . present position ? _ Is there any reasonable ground of complaint againstyour Appeal Court, the judges of your Criminal Court or your Chancellors? While, under the constitution, you may vacate these offices and subject all of the parties to the ordeal of an election before the legislature, will it not be eminently wise and prudent for you to place the judiciary iu a position where, if the legislature elected under your const itution think it expedient, they may re-elect such of the Judges and Chancellors as, in theirj udgment, are worthy to be continued in these positions. This brings me to say that in South Carolina, at least, there is 110 reason why any man, white or colored, should be exeludecl from the privilege of voting or holding olhcc. I ou arc aware tnat tne disfranchisement in the Keconstruction acts of Congress excludes the inteljigence and wealth of the State. In one of the districts of the State J know that the colored people waited upon certain gentlemen and requested them to become candidates for the convention, but they were constrained to decline because they were disfranchised. This is an illustration of the condition of affairs which exists in all the districts of South Carolina?the most intelligent men being excluded. In starting a new government, all of this intelligence and ex: perience should not be ignored. The State cannot afford to give it up. She is entitled to the counsel i of such men and to their services. The doctrine of State rights, as taught in South Carolina, has been exploded by the war. The al. legiance of the citizen, according to the results of ' that controversy, is due to the government of the United States, and not to the State. I recognize this doctrine to the fullest extent, and in my inaui gural message, as Governor of the State, I announced my judgment that hereafter the supremacy o: the United States Government over the State was undisputed and indisputable. I am aware that i many of my contemporaries deny the proposition, but if I can properly comprehend the legitimate : sequences of war, no other result presents itself tc my mind. Gentlemen of the Convention?I have merely outlined some of the subjects which, in my judg; ment, should command your earnest attention. As 1 have indicated, your body is here, not the representative of the intelligence of the State. Your action, therefore, must be your passport to public i favor, and while the great majority of the white > population have failed to cast their votes in elect5 ing delegates, it will be your duty to. adopt such a constitution as will commend itself not only to the > black people but to the white people of South Carolina. i As the Executive of the State during the trying times through which we have passed, Ihave earnt estly endeavored to do equal and exact justice tc r all of our citizens. In the performance of my du ties I have known no distinction between race 01 > color. When I have been called upon to exercise t the high prerogative of Executive clemency in ta1 vor of those who have violated the laws, the re) cords of my office will show that I have made rca1 sonable allowance for the frailty and ignorance ol - the colored population, and that the comrauta tions and pardons extended to them exceed those - extended to the white race, whose opportunities , for obtaining intelligence did not commend them t with the same force to my judgment and sympai thies. 5 As a citizen of South Carolina, born and raised - on her soil, and desiring to lay my bones in this > home of my fathers, I do not wish to see a constii tution adopted obnoxious to our people. If the instrument which you may adopt be wise and just, t as I trust it will be, I shall feel it to be a duty tc - recommend its adoption to my people. Hut if, or t the other hand, it bears upon its face evidences ol } hostility to the true interests of the State, it will t be calculated to create antagonisms, the results oi ? which will be most deplorable, and I, for one, will f pullup mystakes, and, with my household, remove 3 to some other section of the country. } * I presume that opposition will be made to those - who favor this convention. There will be oppo ? sition to you and opposition to me, but I have Deer J too long in political life to be afraid of the smal i thunder which may be directed against mc bj - newspapers. I have reached a period of indiffer - ence upon that question. If I know my own con 1 science, and if what I say is not true, I trust tha 3 the overruling Providence which guides and control; i us will smite mc for the falsehood?I have this da; , no other or higher motive, I care not whether l 3 be public or private, no other political aspiratioi - than to promote the interests of the people o South Carolina. I believe I said to some of mj y colored friends some months ago thai I was tire* 0 of politics and desired to embark in some busines s that would enable nie to support those who ar i- dependent on me. I now go further, and say t you, I am disgusted with politics. I know of n< >f position, State or Federal, that I would seek if i i- cost me the passage of a single step. ^ Let me tel f- you that a man who embarks in political life, if h< s is honest, will be poor as long as he remains in it and the sooner he gets out of it the better it wil i- be f(jr his wife, children and self. 7. intend to dt s it I wish to go into retirement, and there is n< e office that your recommendation or votes could con fer upon me that I would accept I ask you. then, f to have confidence in the statements that I have r made. 1 Tn ?onr>1noinn T dpoirA vnn toadoDt a liberal and i wise constitution, under which the white and the - black man can live together; a constitution which will protect the great interests of the State, and 1 restore to it a degree of prosperity not heretofore r epjoyed : a constitution that will dispel that dis trust which unfortunately now. prevails. Yon - have a great problem to solve, such apone as has - rarely been given to man; you are to undertake an i experiment which has not thus far, in the experi7 ence of mankind, been successful That experi ence shows that, when placed upon terms of equal1 ity, the races have not harmonized. It is for you - to demonstrate to the contrary. i . Being hopeful myself, I believe that, with prop discretion and wisdom, you may form such a con. stitution as will promote harmony, peace and good S will, and en'arge the prosperity of our State. And i in the utmost sincerity, gentlemen of the convenr tion, I invoke the blessings of Heaven upon your - deliberations, and trust that an overruling Providence may give you such wisdom as will secure t peace and concord to this people. t PROCEEDINGS op the ' RECONSTRUCTION CONVENTION. s fifth day. ' Monday, January 20.?The convention assem" bled at 12 M., and was called to order by the Pres' ident, Dr. A. G. Mackey. 1 Prayer was offered by the Rev. James M. Run! ion The roll was called, and one hundred and one | members answering to their names, the President 1 announced a quorum present, and the convention ready to proceed to business. The Minutes of Friday were read, corrected and ' approved. The President announced the standing committees. Those marked with an asterisk i*l are col ored. The following are the appointments: COMMITTEES: 1. Committee on a BUI of Rights^-B. F. Whit1 temore, Darlington ; A. J. Ransier,* Charleston; ' Dr. L. B. Johnson, Pickens; R. B. Elliott,* : Edgefield ; W. J. McKinlay* OraDgeburg; R. ' J. Donaldson, Chesterfield; W. B. Nash,*nichland; T. J. Coghlan, Sumter; Jas. Henderson,* 1 Newberry. Whites, 4: blacks, 5. 1 2. Committee on the Legislative Part of the Con' tUtution?J. M. Rutland, Fairfield; B. 0. Duncan, Newbeny; W. J. Whipper,* Beaufort; E. 1 W. M. Mackey, Orangeburg; Win. McKinlay,* Charleston; Jas. H. Gross, Union; Sam Johnson* ; Anderson; Jesse S. Craig, Colleton; Wilson Cook,* Greenville. Whites, 5; blacks, 4. 3. Committee on the Executive Part of the Constitution?F. J. Moses, Jr., Sumter'J. H. Rainey,* Georgetown ; R. C. Holmes, Beaufort; C. M. Wilder,* Richland: S. Corley, Lexington; A. Clinton,* Lancaster: J. M. Runion, Greenville; I W. H. W. Gray, Berkley; M. Mauldin,* Pickens. Whites, 5 ; blacks 4. 4. Committee on the Judiciary? C.> C. Bowen, Charleston ; J. J. Wright,* Beaufort; D. H. Chamberlain, Berkley; A. Middletdn * Barnwell; Dr. A. J. Newell, Anderson ; W. E. Johnson,* Sumter; J. P. F. Camps, Spartanburg; P. R. Rivera,* Edgefield ; John A. Hunter, Abbeville. Whites, 5 ; blacks, 4. 5. Committee on Franchise and Elections?R. C. DcLarge,* Charleston; Jas. D. Bell, Beaufort; C. P. Leslie, Barnwell; Isaac Brockeuton,* Darlington ; Elias Dixon, Clarendon; Jno. A Chestnut,* Kershaw; H. W. Webb,* Georgetown; M. F. Becker,* Berkley; Jno. S. Gentiy, Spartanburg. Whites, 4; blacks, 5. G. Committee on Finance?N. G. Parker, Barnwell ; T. J. Robertson, Richland; Robt. Smalls,* "Rpnnfiirt : (1 M. Olson. Williamshurir : John Bonuin,* fedgeficld; Win. Perry, Anderson; P. Alexander,* Chester ; Geo. Jackson, Marlboro'; J. H. White,* York. Whites, 6; blacks, 4. 7. Committee on Education?F. L. Cardoza,* Charleston ; J, K. Jillson, Kershaw; L. S. Langlv,* Beaufort; Dr. J. C. Neagle, York; H. E. Hayne,* Marion; F. F. Miller, Georgetown; H. ' L. Shrewsbury,* Chesterfield; Alex. Bryce, Pickens ; David Harris,* Edgefield. Wnites, 4; [ blacks, 5 Committee on Petitions?Wm. R Rose, York ; ' T. K. Sasportas,* Orangeburg: Frank Arnim, Edgefield; S. B. Thompson,* Richland; Y. J. P. Owens, Laurens; Lee Nance,* Newberry; J. H. Jenks, Berkley; Wm. M. Thomas,* Colleton; H. D. Edwards,* Fairfield." Whites, 4; blacks, 5. ' 9. Committee on Rules and Regulations?S. A. Swails,* Williamsburg; S. G. W. Dill, Kershaw; G. Pillsbury, Charleston : Geo. Lee,* Berkley; Henry Jones,* Horry; Jonn Wooley,* Edgefield; Wm. S. Collins, Marion; J. K. Terry, Colleton; H. J. Lomax,* Abbeville. Whites, 4; blacks 5. 10. Committee on the Miscellaneous l*rovisians of the Constitution?L. Boozer, Lexington; B. F. Randolph,* Orangeburg; Jos. Crews,Laurens; R. H. Cain,* Charleston ; F. R Wilder, Beaufort ; J. A. Hayne,* Barnwell; Baily Milford,* Abbeville; J. M. Allen, Greenville; Ben. Byas,* Berkley. Whites, 4; blacks, 5. 11. Committee on the Review and Consolidation , of the Constitution as a Whole?L. Boozer, Lex' ington ; B. F. Whittemore, Darlington ; F. L. Cardoza,* Charleston; F. J. Moses, Sumter; R. C.' DeLarge,* Charleston ; Wm. E. Rose, York; J. M. Rutland, Fairfield; C. C. Bowen. Charleston ; S. A. Swails,* Williamsburg; N. G. Parker, Barnwell. Whites, 7; blacks, 3. The President stated that the last Committee under the suggestions of the Committee to whom was referred the subject of the Standing Committees, consists of the Chairmen of the respective Committees, the object being, after the other Committees have prepared their matter, it may be consolidated into one whole, so as to be presented in a iimner shane. HOURS OP MEETING AND ADJOURNMENT. Mr. R J. Moses offered the following, which was adopted: Resolved. That until the Committee on Review and Consolidation report a form of Constitution, this House will meet daily at 12 M., and adjourn at 3 P. M., so as to give the Committees ample time for the investigation of the subjects referred to them. THE 8ERGEANT-AT-ARM8. Mr. F. J. Moses, Jr., made a report of the Committee appointed to recommend the name of a suitable person to be elected Sergeant-at-Arms, and ; proposed Mr. Miles M. Johnson, of York District. A motion was made that the report be adopted, i The question being put on the adoption of the i report, Mr. Boozer said it was usual, in legislative i bodies of this character for reports to stand over , one.day. The members of the Convention might desire a little time before going into an election. | The Chair said, under the rules, the report i would lie over one day, unless taken up by unani! mous consent Mr. Whittemore moved that the rules be suspended for the purpose of taking up the report 1 Carried. i The Prcsideut read the report and informed the [' Convention that if it was adopted, Mr. M. M. | Johnson would be elected Sergeant-at-Arms. [ Mr. B. 0. Duncan moved its adoption. I Mr. Whittemore said he was perfectly well aware ; that it was necessary for them to go into an election for Sergeant-at-Arms. He was also well aware i that they had been told by the highest functionary of the State, that the treasury of the State is irni poverished, and he was also cognizant of the fact 1 that it is the desire of members of the Convention r to impose as small a debt as possible on the State - treasury. In the matter of the election of a Chap lain to open the sessions, economy was brought t forward as the principal reason why members on 3 the floor should he called upon to perform the func7 tioDS of Chaplain. Inasmuch as economy seems to t pervade the minds of most members, he hoped that i those who are not clergvmen may be considered a& f eligible to perform the duties of Sergeant-at-Arms, 1 ana that the balance of the Convention act as bonds i men for the members, as they are severally called ? npon; thereby saving to the State a very large exe penditure. # J a Mr. F. J. Moses, Jr., said the question was on > the adoption of the report t W. J. Whipper asked whether the adoption of 1 the report Would be acting under the rules of the } House of Representatives, which require elections . to be viva voce. It seemed to him they would elect 1 by aoclamation, if thev adopted the report ) Mr. Craig asked whether the Committee were ) instructed to report the name of one or more can didates. , Mr. Moses said the mover of the resolution had s informed him distinctly it said candidate. B. F. Randolph agreed with the member from I Darlington (Mr. Whittemore), that they should i curtail the expensesof the Convention, and was i willing to dispense with the Sergeant-at-Arms.' [ Mr. Whittemore moved that the report be res committed to the Committee, with instructions to roport two or more candidates. i Dr. Neagle asked whether that had precedence i of the motion to adopt. ,w . i The President decided in the affirmative. * Mr. C. C. Bowen said he noticed a disposition among members to retain the floor after being called to order, and moved that the rule in relation to i that subject be read for the information of the house. Mr. Duncan opposed recommitment, and said the Cmuiittee, having carefully examined the va[ rious candidates, found only one that possessed the 1 necessary qualifications. Tl T? Pdnrl.-inVt ?i l-AAAnnirlArafirtn nf til A resolution to appoint a Sergeant-at-Anna He did it on the ground that they could dispense with a i Sergeant-at-Arms as well as a Chaplain. Mr. Parker said no member could perform the duties of a Sergeant-at-Arms. Dr. J. C. Neagle asked whether that duty could be imposed upon any member without his consent The President replied it could not Dr. Neagle moved to indefinitely postpone the subject. The President said the question was on recommitment On the question being put, it was lost W. J. Vvhipper asked whether the motion to suspend the rules of the Convention, simply as to laying over a matter for one day, also affects the | election. The President stated that the opinion of the Chair could be overruled by the house. The report recommends Mr. M. M. Johnson as a suitable person for Sergeant-at-Arms. The resolution is embodied in the report, which, under the rules, is laid over, but the rules having been suspended for the purpose of taking up the report, it was before the house for immediate action. If the house refuse to adopt the report, it goes to the wall, but if adopted, then the house elects Mr. Miles M. , Johnson Sergeant-at-Arms. L. S. Langley inquired as to the character and antecedents of Mr. Johnson. No member responding, he moved that the report be laid upon the table. Dr. J. C. Neagle said Mr. Johnson was from York District, a sound Republican and qualified, in everv respect, to perform the duties of tne office. C. M. Wilder objected to the election of one candidate without opposition, believing that there was more than one man in South Carolina capable nf fillinrr tlift nnsifinn. Mr. ft. G. Parker hoped the Convention would adopt the report They needed a Sergeant-at-Arms. He nad some experience of such a necessity when he was appointed Chairman of the Committee to giovide suitable accommodation for the members, fe was appealed to by door-keepers, messengers, members and others, to attend to their several wants. They want wood, coal, water and other things, all of which have to be provided by the Sergeant-at-Arms. Mr. F. J. Moses said it was an extraordinary movement for a lucioboi who introduced the resolution to appoint the Committee, and should move to lay the report on the table. It was the first time he had ever heard of it. He believed the Committee performed their duty as well as it could possibly be performed. The Committee met The first time they met, out of several candidates presented, they nominated Mr. T. W. Johnson. After that gentleman had been macle acquainted with the fact of his nomination, circumstances occurred which placed the Committee in an embarrassing position. They asked for further time, which was granted. A second time they met and had several candidates. They were very anxious to present a proper person and examined the candidates, propounding to them questions in regard to their reading and writing qualifications and mathematical knowledge. Those who know the candidate selected, vouch for his capability to perform the duties of the office. If the report was to be recommitted he hoped that the member from Darlington, or some other of the anxious gentlemen, would be allowed to put up candidates. Mr. Pillsburv hoped the matter would be brought speedily to a close. To facilitate business, he was willing to try Mr. M. M. Johnson, and if he prqved incapable, they could remove him. The question recurring on the adoption of the Report, it was carried, and the President announced Mr. Miles M. Johnson elected Sergeant-atArms. On motion of L. S. Langlev, the Committee appointed to nominate a candidate for Sergeant-atArms was discharged. CONFISCATION AND DISFRANCHISEMENT. B. R. Randolph, colored, of Orangeburg, offered the following resolution, which he said was introduced like a simular one on Friday last, for the purpose of making an informal declaration of what ne believed to be the sentiment of the majority upon the floor: Resolved, That in the opinion of this convention the confiscation of property and disfranchisement of citizens for disloyalty should be left solely to the Federal Government. The President said that, under the rule, this being a matter of grave importance, involving the Dermanent opinion of the convention, it should be referred to the proper committee. Randolph dia not relish this course. He wanted action now, but the voice of the convention was against him, and the resolution wassent to the Committee on Franchise and Elections. J. M. Rutland, white, of Fairfield, offered the following: Resolved,' That it be referred to the Committee on Finance to inquire into the condition of the State Treasury, and report to this convention at the earliest practicable day. [Laughter.] Adopted. A 8TAY-LAW. F. J. Moses, Jr., white, of Sumter, introduced the following: Whereas, Forced sales of property under legal process, at the present unpropitious period, when cotton is so much depreciated in value, the daily necessaries of life are high, and the whole country in so unsettled a condition?endangers the entire planting interest, and almost every other solid interest in the State, depriving planters of the power to continue preparations for their crops, and nearly all of the laborers in the country or their homes and the means of obtaining provisions for their daily subsistence. And whereas, the general destitution that must inevitably ensue can result in no benefit, save to a small class of persons who live by speculating on the ruin of others, therefore, be it Resolved, That the representatives of the people of South Carolina, in constitutional convention assembled, do hereby respectfully, but earnestly petition Brevet Major-General E. S. R. Canby, commanding the Second Military District, in 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 property under execution or other legal process, under any judgment or decree, rendered by the courts of this State for a debt or debts contracted prior to the 30th day of June, 1865. H /yP VafIt innra/l fViflt. JL/1. U . V. XI iTiiuvj Vi j. vint uiu t vv. the rules be suspended to allow of the immediate adoption of the resolution. Lemuel Boozer, white, considered this one of i the gravest questions that could be submitted to the convention. For one, he desired that it should take the usual course of other resolutions, and be properly deliberated upon, before attempting to ; rush it wildly through the body, i F. J. Moses said he was glad to hear the gentleman acknowledge the question a grave one. On i the first Monday in February, sale day occurs in ; all of the Districts. A large amount of property i is advertised to be sold, ana unless some action of , this .kind is adopted, it will be sacrificed under the! hammer of tho auctioneer. It is, therefore, time' i that the question should be considered, and wil out reference to some committee, of which t gentleman himself might be chairman, to be th( i retained^ until too late to effect the beneficent < jcct in view. If necessary, said the speaker, let * "rush" the measure through the convention, a show to the people of the State that we are w ling to rush anything through which is demand for their good and welfare. [Applause.] Cri of "question." C. C. Bowen said he was opposed to the resol tion in its present shape. Belief would undoul edly be given to the people. It was the desire a large majority of the convention, but he was o posea to anything that savored of class legislatio and the resolution offered proposed nothingelse. J. S. Craig, white, of Colleton?an ex-Fedei officers-Favored the measure, and hoped it wou be passed without reference to a committee, whe it might be laid to rest forever. The question was then taken on suspending ti rules, and the motion of the delegate from 10 was not agreed to. The resolutions were referred to the Committ on Legislation. HOMESTEAD LAWS. J. M. Allen, white, of Greenville submitted tl following, which was disagreed to: Resolved, That the Judiciary Committee be i structed to inquire into the legality of extendii the benefit of any and all exemption or homeste laws passed by this convention to all debts co tractea prior to the passage of such a law, and empowered to call to their aid the best legal tale in the State, if by them considered necessary. [It may be remarked here, parenthetically, th the disposition of the, invention is evidently have nothing to do with outsiders not identifi with them in sympathy and interest, and that t rtain way to kill a measure is to associate wi it the name of any official in the State.] , GEOGRAPHICAL DIVISIONS. L. S. Langley, colored, of Beaufort, suhmitt an ordinance to change the name of the electii districts of South Carolina into counties, and divide such counties into townships, said tow ships to be not less than five miles, nor more thi ten miles square^ Referred to the Committee < Legislation. BILLS RECEIVABLE. Dr. J. C. Neagle offered the following Beit ordained, That the President of tl convention do place his signature and official titl dated at Charleston, January 20, 1868, across tl face of $200,000 of the bills of this State, authc ized by act of the Legislature of this State, pasa on the 21st 'December, 1865, and known as "Bi Receivable." And that all such bills bearing sa signature shall be "legal tender" for all deB< public or private, within the jurisdiction of - th State, except in cases where the Government the United States is a party. Second. Be it ordauiedL dec., That the pub! Treasurer of this State in Charleston is hereby a thorized to sell, under the direction and oontrol His Excellency Jaincs L. Orr, Provisional Gove nor of the State, a sufficient amount of the afor said bills to raise ten thousand dollars in Unit* States currency per week, or so much as may 1 necessary to pay the delegates of this convention Third. Beit ordained, dec., That the balance < the aforesaid bills remain in the public treasury i the State, to be expended in defraying the contii gent expenses of the State under theappropriatic authorized by General Orders, No. -?, from tl Headquarters, Second Military District, and und< the control of His Excellency James ii Orr, Pn visional Governor, or his successor in office. Fourth. Be it ordained, dec., That the Finani Committee are hereby directed to prepare and r port at an early day an ordinance for the levy ac collection of taxes iu accordance with the Recoi struction acts of Congress, under which this coi vention is convened, that will amount to $200,00 to be collected between the first day of Septemh and first day of December, 1871, which mom shall be appropriated to the redemption of the afor said bills on and after the first of January, 187 in such manner as this convention may direct. Dr. Neagle moved to refer the ordinance to tl Committee on Finance, with instructions to repo to-morrow. N. G. Parker, white, chairman of that corami tee, objected to the limited time allowed; wfycr upon Dr. Neagle suggested thatmany of the delegate not having paid tneir board bills this week, wish< to know when the funds are coming, and whei ii v uitsy arc uuuijug jiuiu. jihe vote that the committee should report c "Wednesday, noon, was unanimous. A NEW RULE. Benjamin Byas, colored, of Berkley, offered tl following: Whereas, The exercise of wisdom and discretic is necessary in the government of this body, Resolved, That no article or section, paragrap or clause, calculated to be embodied in tnis const tution, or any petition to or from this conventioi shall receive its final adoption until the same sha have received, at least two readings and a lapse < twenty-four hours after the first reading of tl same, and all amendments thereto shall be subje< to the same stipulations. Referred to the Con mittee on Rules. OLD DEBTS. B. Odell Duncan, white, of Newbeny, offere the following: ^ ' Whereas, The institution of slavery has bee abolished by the Government of the United Stat< and this action has been ratified by the State of 5 Carolina; and whereas, still to recognize the ii debtedness or obligations connected therewith still to recognize rights in slaveiy. Therefore, I it ( Resolved, That all debts or obligations of an kind, contracted for slaves, are hereby declare null and void, and shall forever be so considerec Be it further Resolved, That no State Court or State Officii shall hereafter entertain anv suit or recognize an claims or indebtedness or obligations contracted fc slave property. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The same delegate offered the following: Wherercas, A long-continued and bloody ws has left our State in a most deplorable condition ( poverty and demoralization, and property has d( 1, WoAon if a fnrmnr roliin trim SrCUiiilCU IV 1UUVU 4VCO UIUII 1UJ AV4U1V1 fuiuvj nuv ebts were contracted; and whereas, The most v cious management of the rebel finances has lei nearly all our people loaded down with old debt contracted prior to the war. Therefore, be it Resolved, That all debts contracted prior to th 30th of June, 1865, shall be reduced one-half I*rovided, however, that nothing in this ordinanc shall be so construed as to interfere with any del outsjde of the State prior to the date above met tioncd, and that it shall not relieve the State froi any of its obligations, except those contracted i aid of the rebellion ; nor snail it relieve any ind vidual, company or corporation of any obligation t the State. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. A SOLICITOR INVITED. F. J. Moses, Jr., introduced the following: Whereas in all conventions in South Carolin: heretofore held, it has been a wise and salutary_cu: torn to have the assistance and aid of the State S< licitors in the legal preparation of ordinances an others papers, and whereas it is the earnest desii of this constitutional convention to perform the in portant duties entrusted to it in such a manner r will commend it to the praise and approval of a law-abiding citizens. Therefore, be it Resolved, That the necessary steps shall be t: ken by this convention to secure the legal servici of Major C. D. Melton, of York District, an should he be willing to lend us his aid in hastenin forward the work of reconstruction, a room in th building be assigned to his use, and the per die and mileage of delegates be allowed him. Kcferrc to the Executive Committee, with instructions t report to-morrow. ANOTHER STAY LAW. J. M. Allen, white, of Greenville, offered tli following, which was referred to the Committee o Legislation: Be it ordained, &c., That the legislature shal as 60on as possible after the fret assembling then of, under the authority of this convention, ena< such laws as shall secure from levy and sale on an judgment or any final proems of any court of th State, all the real or personal property of any del tor, contracted prior to the year 1865, ana mat such action shall have been taken by the legisli ture, the levy on and sale of such property is su pended, provided it shall not extend Deyond tl year 1873, and any stay law passed by the legisl ture shall not extend beyond the same time. th- THE PAY OP MEMBERS OP THE CONVENTION, be Dr. Neagle introduced the foDowing: ire * Be it ordained, doe.t That every delegate of this )b- convention shall receive-as compensation for bis us services during bis attendance on, and going to and nd from this convention, eight dollars per dum, and il- twenty-five cents per mile by the most direct route ed from bis borne to the City of Charleston each.way: ies provided that any delegate, living in this city, and representing other districts, shall jpot receive mileu age only as the delegates or this caty. Referred to it- the Committee on Finance. Of CONCERNING MINISTERS. tufi p- A colored delegate introduced the following, n, which was referred to the Committee on Legislation: al Whereas, Ministers of the Gospel ought not to be Id diverted from the great duty devolved upon them re by their holy profession, therefore, he it \ Resolved, That no minister of the Gospel, or lie public preacher of any religious persuasion, while rk ne continues m the exercise of his function, shall be eligible to the office of governor, fieutenahtee governor, to a seat in the House of Representatives, or to work upon the public roads ox streets, or to do patrol duty. {Laughter.] jJ' .a he AFFAIRS IN THE PENITENTIARY. > / S.B. Thompson, colored, of Richland, introdun oed the following: . i . n ng Whereas, It has been currently reported aa4 ad believed that the inmates of the penitentiaiY. lure n. maltreated in direct violation of its rules ana reghe ulations; and that many are incarcerated within Is. 11- aL.i -1 1J .ii il C I Dt its wans taaisui^Jiu uuw ue aiiarge, mereiore oe it at Resolved, That a committee of fire members be to appointed to proceed to Colombia, with power to ed request the presence.of such persons and papers ; a as they may deem necessary to.a thorough examith nation of the above report and to lay the facta before this body. B. 0. Duncan, white, of Newberry, said he ^ thought this was a question too important to be on passed over hastily. It should be remembered to that there is not a case in that penitentiary which Q_ has not passed under the eye of the military as ^ well as civil authorities; and it is to be presumed 5n that the convicts there incarcerated, being found guilty by a jury of their countrymen, have been properly sentenoed. / # J. M. Allen, white, of Greenville, in a very vi- .. olent manner, said he .knew that there were eever11S al men in the penitentiary who would not be there :e' but for the passions and prejudices of their opponents, and the epemies of this convention?men 5 who are the advocates of Ariel, have advocated the . j, incarceration of some of these prisoners; and,? r? call on this convention to see this thing Invest! gated. These facts are well known, and proofs can ?' be brought into this convention if necmazy.V . ; lLl On motion of Benj. Byas, colored,resohx01 tion was referred to the Committee ohWaoeHane,. ous affairs, with instructions to report to-morrow. 110 LIBERIE, EGALITK ET PBA1BRMIJ*. . Beverly Nash, colored, ofBichlaod. introduced a resolution that in all schools and colleges, and in r" the University of this State, which may he suppor5 ted in part or whole by .revenue arising from taxa** tion, snail be open for the reception of scholars, * students and teachers^ without distinction of race ' f or color. J ?J. It shall also be the duty of the legislature, at its u first session, to divide the State into school disa" tricts. Referred to the Committee on Education. ,n George Lee,.colored, of Berkeley, offered the ie following, which was referred to the Committee on "r Legislation: Resolved, That all persons shall einoy equal rights and privileges while travelling in tajs State; * and all places of amusement, entertainment Of refreshment, or of any public nature whatever, shall be open to all persons alike. No. company, municipality, parish or corporation shall make any 2" rules or regulations creating any distin&ibn bey tween persons on account of race, color, <k previ- - <? eua euiiditioo. 5y THE POWERS OP THE CONTENTION'. F. J. Moses, Jr., white; of Somter, called up ' the resolution offered by him on Friday, for the purpose of substituting another, which covers the ^ same ground, as follows: Resolved, That it be referred to the Judiciary Committee to inquire and report whether or not the Reconstruction Acts of Congress confer upon e' this convention authority to legislate on matters not involved in the formation of the ?tote oonatitution. ? yp" The resolution was adopted. . ... y * re PR0P08ED REMOVAL OP STATE OPFICEB& : S. Corley, white, of Lexington, offered the fol- . ,n lowing resolution, which was referred to the Committee on the Executive: Whereas, A large majority of the people here16 tofore constituting the government of the State of South Carolia have, by unjustifiable rebellion, forin feited their political rights, and are hostile to every act of Congress for the reconstrnction of the ? State to the Union, claiming, as they do, every l" political right under the constitution, which proph erly defines their late acts as treason and authorizes u even the penalty of death, for crimes thus committed, instead of equal rights with those who love ie the government which they so madly attempted to * destroy, and p W hereas, the officers of the present provisional government of the State, from the highest to the lowest, have generally exercised their influence and id used the emoluments of their offices in a manner highly prejudicial to the claims of loyal citizens, v n and in opposition to the laws of Congress, looking :s to a speeay reconstrnction, the only competent an >. thority we recognize, and are now marshalling their } forces to defeat any constitution, however faultless is it may be, that this convention may frame, as the >e fundamental law of"the State, therefore* be it Resolved, That we, the representatives of the y loyal people, having accepted in good faith the d terms offered by Congress for the restoration of the 1- State ta her proper relations in the Union, demand ourselves and our constitutents, under the law and ? the constitution, present and prospective^ every y right which these embittered and incorrigible ene>r mies to the government claim as exclusively their own. Resolved, That the continued efforts of the present disloyal officers of the provisional government * of the State, to continue tnemselves m power as ? such, while looking to a speedy re-instatement to - a place in the Federal positions.so lately and oonP temptuously deserted by many of them, and their i- systematic efforts to escape the just penalties of ft violated faith, while their active hostility to the ess sential principles of republicanism remain, is substantial and positive proof that the safety of the e government and the welfare of the people demand : their removal. e QUALIFICATIONS OF VOTERS. >t Timothy Hurley, white, of Berkeley, offered the >- following resolution, which was referred to the n Committee on Franchise and Elections: P Resolved, In all elections to be made by thcpeol* pie, or of any part thereof, for civil or political of0 fices, every person shall be entitled to vote who has the following qualifications, to wit: Every male member who has attained the age of twenty-one years, and is not a pauper, nor non-commissioned officer, nor private soldier in the army, nor a seai, man, nor a marine in the Navy of the United 3- States, provided he shall have, for the period of > one year next preceding the day of election, been d a citizen of this State, or for the same period an e emigrant from Europe, who has declared his inl Mentions to become a citizen of the United States, is according to the constitution and laws of the Uni11 ted States. The convention then adjourned until 12 o'clock i- on Tuesday. :s d SIXTH DAT. ig Tuesday, January 21.?The convention assemis bled at 12 o'clock. Prayer by Rev. A. W. Webm ster. The roll was called ana joufnal of yesterday d read. to The President called for REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, F. J. Moses, Jr., white, from the Committee on ie the Executive part of the Constitution, to whom n was referred a preamble and resolutions concerning a petition to General Can by, to suspend for three 1, months, all sales of property under execution for j- debts contracted prior to the 30th of June, 1865.. it reported that they had considered the same, and y unanimously recommend that the same be adopted, is On motion of J. M. Rutland, white, or Faimeld, y. the report was made the special order for one il o'clock to-morrow. i- [proceedings continued on second page.] 3- ' r ie 1 'Pope had a prolonged interview with a- Grant" rope talked saddles, and Grant discussed ' horses. ; . .