Virginia State Convention.
Ninth day--[Second session.]
Richmond, June 22d, 1861.
At 10 o'clock, the Convention was called to order by Mr. Southall, and prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Spurlock. The usual routine of reports was gone through with — no reports were submitted.
Mr. Southall suggested that the regular business, suspended by reason of the election of members to the Southern Congress, yesterday, came up now as a privileged question.
It related to improvements in turnpikes for military purposes.
The ordinance was amended so as to increase the appropriation, and on its passage the ayes and noes were called, resulting ayes 55, noes 24--carried.
The connections between the Richmond.
Potomac and Petersburg Railroads came up as the regular order of the day.
It was moved that the consideration be postponed to 12 o'clock to-day.
Amended so to lay on the table.
The amendment was lost, and the postponement to 12 o'clock was carried.
Mr. Staples offered a resolution calling for the federal population of the counties, cities and boroughs of this Commonwealth, according to the Census of 1860.
Adopted.
The question of adjournment came up, with a view to ascertain the sense of the Convention in reference to amendments to the Constitution, or a speedy adjournment sine die.
A resolution laid on the table last week, providing for an adjournment on Monday, 24th inst., was called up, but was subsequently withdrawn.
Mr. Sheffey submitted a resolution, which was in substance that it is deemed inexpedient to make any reforms in our Constitution except to conform it to the Constitution of the Confederate States, instead of to that of the old United States. Mr. Sheffey contended that the Convention, having performed all the duties confided to it under the law authorizing its call, was now funcotus officio.--His resolution would, therefore, be a test as to the sense of the Convention in reference to the duration of the session, as it looked to a speedy adjournment sine die.
Mr. Price, of Greenbrier, opposed an adjournment until the State Constitution was thoroughly reformed and submitted to the people for their sanction.
This subject evoked a lengthy discussion, in which the old Constitution, the elective franchise, popular rights, and be ‘"dear people"’ generally, were thoroughly discussed.
Messrs. Morton, Mallory, Haymond, Bearch, Carter, and others, took part in the debate.
In the course of the discussion, Mr. Hall, of Wetzel, said that, as we have severed our political connection with the Yankees, we ought to go the whole figure, and abolish everything of Yankee origin or Yankee tendency.
Our old Constitution was decidedly of this character and we should abolish it or reform it before we adjourn.
By general permission, Mr. A. H. H. Stuart explained the reforms which the Committee on the Constitution, of which he was chairman, had decided to adopt and report for the action of the Convention; and it is due to that gentleman to add that he did so in a manner worthy the statesman and scholar.
The main question was now ordered, namely; Mr. Sheffey's resolution providing that no change in the Constitution should be made except to conform it to the Confederate Constitution, and the ayes and noes taken.
The vote stood ayes 35, noes 55.
The resolution was thus rejected.
This was generally considered a test vote on a question which more than any other excited and divides the Convention.
With a view to complete the business on which the above vote was taken, the following resolution was submitted:
Resolved. That when this Convention adjourns on Tuesday next, it will be to meet on the 4th Thursday of November, 1861.
On this resolution the ayes and noes were ordered, and resulted ayes 15, noes 70.
The mover of the resolution seeing that a large majority voted against it, yielded to their wishes and would vote against it. It was then moved that when this Convention shall adjourn at the close of the session, it shall adjourn sine die. Ordered to be laid on the table.
Ayes 52 noes 36.
Mr. Ambler submitted an ordinance providing compensation for the Cadets who have been ordered to this city to instruct and drill the soldiery at the Camp of Instruction.
The ordinance was put on its passage, under a suspension of the rules.
An amendment was submitted proposing a vote of thanks to the Cadets engaged in this city the last six weeks, and that they receive each a compensation of $32 per month for their valuable services.
The ordinance under the previous question was now put in its original form, allowing $20 per month, and a separate resolution of thanks was also put, and both unanimously carried.
Mr. Goggin offered a vote of thanks to the two young ladies who so heroically give notice of the approach of the enemy at Phillippi.
Put on its passage and unanimously adopted.
[An incident transpired while this resolution was pending which we prefer suppressing.]
The order of the day again came up. It relates to the connections between the Richmond, Potomac and Petersburg Railroads.--A motion was made for an indefinite postponement — on which the ayes and noes were ordered, resulting — ayes 36, noes 31.
No quorum.
On motion, the Convention adjourned to 10 o'clock on Monday.
[The Convention, by several decisive votes taken during the day, indicated pretty clearly that this session will not be adjourned until the Constitution question and several other subjects of equal moment shall have been disposed of.] 