State Convention.
Thursday, Nov. 21, 1861
The Convention met at 10 o'clock. Prayer by
Rev. Dr. Hoge, of the Second Presbyterian Church.
On motion of
Mr. Blakey, the injunction of secrecy was removed from so much of the recent communication from the
Governor as has been referred to a special committee.
Military appointments.
On motion of
Mr. Chambliss, a communication from the
Executive, relating to the conflamation of military appointments, was taken up, but, for reasons stated, its consideration was postponed for the present.
Contributions Needed.
Mr. L. S.
Hall made an appeal to the
Convention in behalf of the widow of the late
John N. Hughes, who had been driven from her home and was in destitute circumstances.
The
Secretary was directed to receive contributions.
Statistics called for.
On motion of
Mr. Pendleton.
Resolved, That the
Auditor of Public Accounts furnish to the
Convention a table showing the white population of each county in the
State, the number of white male inhabitants above the age of 21 years, the negro population of each county, and a statement showing the value of property in each county, real and personal.
Amending the Constitution.
The Convention resumed the consideration of the third article of the proposed amended Constitution, which prescribes the qualification of voters.
Mr. Haymond moved to amend by inserting after the word ‘"Commonwealth,"’ in the first line, ‘"and who is a citizen of the
Confederate States."’ Rejected.
Mr. Woods moved to amend by inserting after the word ‘"offence,"’ at the end of the section, the following; ‘"Or who, since the 1st of August, 1861, shall have held or exercised any office or trust in this State under or by virtue of any authority derived from any Government, other than the
State of Virginia or the
Confederate States; or who may have taken up arms against the
State of Virginia for the
Confederate States."’
Mr. L. S.
Hall moved to amend the amendment by substituting--‘"And the General Assembly may prohibit all persons from exercising the right of suffrage who have or may defeater have taken any part in an effort to establish a separate Government within this State, or who holds, or has, since the 1st day of August, 1861, accepted any office of honor or prone under the
Federal Government of the
United States."’
Both rejected.
Mr. Nelson offered an amendment, for which the following substitute was offered by
Mr. Brooke. "But no naturalized citizen of this State who shall have become such after the termination of the existing war, shall be privileged to vote until he shall have previously resided for ten years in some one of the
Confederate States.
Rejection — ayes 46, noes 63.
The question recurred on
Mr. Nelson's amendment, viz: ‘"or who has not been a naturalized citizen of either of the
Confederate States for twelve years next preceding he said elections"’--and
Mr. Treadway offered a substitute, which was rejected, and he previous question having been or cred,
Mr. Nelson's amendment was also defeated — ayes 44, noes 60.
Mr. Donman said it was clear that the
Convention was determined to adopt the section as thus far amended, and he therefore called the previous question, which was sustained, and the first section of Article III was adopted, as follows:
‘"Every white male citizen of the
Commonwealth, of the age of twenty-one years, who has been a resident of the
State for two years, and of the county, city, or town where he offers to vote, for twelve months next preceding an election, and no other person, shall be qualified to vote for members of the General assembly and all officers elected by the people; but no person in the military; naval, of matine service of the
Confederate States, shall be deemed a resident of this State by reason of being stationed therein; and no person shall have the right to vote who is of unsound mind, or a pauper, or a non-commissioned officer, soldier, seaman, or marine in the regular army or navy of the
Confederate States, or who has been convicted of bribery in an election, or of any infamous offence,"’
The second and third sections were passed by without amendment.
Mr. Holladay moved to amend the 4th section by substituting the secret ballot vote for the
viva voce vote in elections.
Rejected by a large majority.
The Convention then took up Article IV.
on the ‘"Legislative Department,"’ and Mr. F. P.
Turner moved that it be recommitted.--Rejected.
Mr. Wysor moved to amend the 2d section, relating to the House of Delegates, by providing that the distribution and apportionment of the towns and counties shall remain as now provided by law, until a reapportionment of the same shall have been made by the General Assembly.
Agreed to.
Mr. L. S. Halo moved to amend by providing for biennial sessions instead of annual sessions Rejected.
The section as amended, was then adopted, all that rebating to apportionment being stricken out.
The 3d section, relating to the Senate, was taken up, pending the consideration of which.
The Convention adjourned.
