Staunton Spectator

VIRGINIA CONVENTION. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Monday, July 7th.—Taxation was the subject of discussion. Mr. Chilton spoke in favor of taxation per capita. Mr. Faulkner urged the ad valorem system. Mr. Faulkner's substitute was rejected. Mr. Wise then moved to fill the blank in his own scheme, so as to provide that a capitation tax shall be laid on all males over 21 years of age, which shall not exceed in amount the tax paid on $300 worth of land. He spoke in favor of the motion till the adjournment.

Tuesday. Mr. Wise concluded his remarks in support of his scheme of taxation. Mr. Faulkner followed on the other side. After further remarks by various members, the proposition of Mr. Wise was so modified as to provide for a capitation tax as to the State at large on free males, and excluding such tax as to counties; and then further modified, on motion of Mr. Summers, so as to provide for the assessment of an ad valorem tax upon slaves as upon land; and the amendment as amended being ordered to be printed for the use of the Convention, the House adjourned.

Wednesday.—Mr. Randolph gave his reasons for not voting for a reconsideration of the "Compromise," in accordance with instructions from his constituents. Mr. Wingfield then moved a reconsideration of the vote by which the "Compromise" was adopted, in pursuance of the notice given by him. Mr. Woolfolk moved that the Convention adjourn to the first Monday of December, in order that members might have full opportunity to ascertain the wishes of their constituents. A protracted discussion ensued upon the motion, which seems to have been finally passed over without a vote. The vote was then taken on Mr. Wingfield's motion and it was rejected—yeas 59, nays 62.

In Committee of the Whole on the Legislative report, an amendment proposed by Mr. Goode was adopted, and also the ad valorem system of taxation to a certain extent. The following proviso offered by Mr. Botts was adopted: "Provided that a moiety of the capitation tax on white persons shall be applied exclusively to the purposes of Education in Primary and Free Schools."

Thursday.—Mr. Botts moved an amendment which was subsequently adopted, preventing the passage by the Legislature, of any law for the incorporation of Churches or Religious Societies.

On motion of Mr. Lyons, the rule adopted on Wednesday, prohibiting debate upon any proposition during the consideration of the Legislative Report, was repealed, and speeches of ten minutes length in the Committee allowed.

Sundry amendments were then adopted to the report of the Legislative Committee, after which, the Committee rose, and the House adjourned.

Friday. The liquidation of State debt was again under consideration. Amendments proposing to leave the matter entirely to Legislative discretion, were voted down. Finally the Committee adopted the sixth section of the report, which provides for a sinking fund created by the annual appropriation of seven per cent., six of which is to pay the interest of the present debt, and one per cent. to be appropriated for the gradual liquidation of said debt. For all prospective indebtedness of the Commonwealth eight per cent. is to be laid aside, and to be appropriated as above.

Sections declaring that the Legislature hereafter shall create no debt on behalf of the State, without making sure provision for the payment of the same; also forbidding the guarantee of the bonds of any internal improvement company or corporation hereafter by the State, were adopted.

The efforts to make constitutional provision for the completion of the Central Railroad to the Ohio and also for the completion of the James River improvement, proved ineffectual.

The final sections of the report making provision for the registry of voters, was so amended as to provide for the registry of all marriages, births and deaths of white persons, and the births and deaths of negroes. After which, the Committee rose, and the House adjourned.

Saturday.—The Committee of the Whole were directed to report to the Convention the Legislative Report, and was discharged from the further consideration of new subjects. The Bill of Rights as reported from the Committee, was adopted after some slight amendments.

The indications are that the Convention will certainly close its labors by the 1st of August. In this event the constitution will be submitted at once to the people, and the elections will take place in October.