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 any execution or other legal processes under any judgment or decree rendered by the Courts of this State, for a debt or debts contracted prior to the 30th June, 1865.

Resolved, That the President of the Convention be requested to forward at the earliest practicable moment a certified copy of this preamble and resolution to Brevet Major General E. R. S. Canby.

Mr. J. C. NEAGLE moved that the rules be suspended, and that the preamble and resolution be adopted.

Mr. BOOZER. I object to the suspension of the rules. It is one of the gravest and most important questions to be presented to the Convention. A gentleman introduces a resolution to suspend the collection of debts, or rather to petition the military authorities to suspend the collection of debts for three months, and it is urged to press it before the Convention at once. I desire such a question to take the regular course, not being prepared to discuss its merits. The Convention should not proceed hastily in a matter of such grave importance. It was sprung upon them and he hoped the rules would not be suspended.

Mr. F. J. MOSES, Jr. I a glad to hear the gentleman acknowledge the question a grave one. If the member from Lexington had been in his seat last Friday, he would have known that a resolution covering the same ground was introduced and laid on the table. Three days had elapsed, and it really did seem that members had full time to make up their minds. It was a very common rule, when gentlemen wished to kill a resolution, to refer it to one of the Standing Committees. I am opposed to referring. It was important that such a resolution should be passed, and passed to-day. The first Monday of next month will be sales day, when a vast amount of property will be sacrificed under the hammer of the Sheriff if not checked in time. It is, therefore, time that the question should be considered, and without reference to some Committee, of which the gentleman himself might be Chairman, to be there retained until too late to effect the beneficent object in view. If necessary, let us "rush" the measure through the Convention, and show to the people of the State that we are willing to rush anything through which is demanded for their good and welfare.

Mr. C. C. BOWEN. I oppose the suspension of the rules and the resolution as it stands. I understand there is to be some effort made to afford relief, which will be concurred in by a large majority of the members. But I wish to state that I am opposed to anything like class legislation, and this is strictly of that kind. It proposes to enumerate

what class of people have a claim to protection from this body. reason why this should not go to its appropriate Committee.

I see no

Mr. CRAIG said if the matter was referred to a Committee, it would delay it, and perhaps come up again too late to prevent sales of property by the Sheriff in February. It was important something should be done to prevent the immense sacrifice of property throughout the State. It is a mere request to General Canby to stop proceedings until we can do something to grant permanent relief. I hope the rules will be suspended.

On the question being taken, the Convention refused to suspend the rules, and, on motion of Mr. DUNCAN, it was referred to the Executive Committee, with instructions to report to-morrow.

Mr. DUNCAN moved that it be left to the discretion of the Chair to admit such visitors to the Convention as he might deem proper, which was agreed to.

Mr. J. M. ALLEN offered the following, which was referred to the Legislative Committee:

1. Resolved, That the personal property of every resident of this State, to consist of such property only as shall be designated by law, shall be exempted to an amount of not less than $1,000 from sale on execution or other final processes or court issued for the collection of any debt.

2. Resolved, That every homestead not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres of land and the dwelling house thereon, with the appurtenances to be selected by the owner, owned and occupied by any resident of this State and not exceeding in value $2,500, shall be exempt from forced sale for the collection of any debt or execution of other final process of any Court. Such exemption shall not extend to any mortgage thereon lawfully obtained, and such mortgage or other conveyance of such land by the owner thereof, if a married man, shall not be valid without the signature of the wife of the same.

3. Resolved, That no resident of this State owning and occupying a house on land hot his own, and claiming the same as a homestead, shall be entitled to such house, to the benefits provided in this Article to the same extent as if he were the owner of such land, and such exemption shall not in any way impair the right of the owner to the said land.

4. Resolved, If the owner of a homestead dies or deserts his family, leaving a widow, or wife or children, such homestead shall be exempt from the payment of debts so long as the widow shall be without other homestead of her own, or while the deserted wife shall occupy such homestead.

5. Resolved, The real and personal estate of every woman acquired before marriage, and the property which she may afterwards become entitled by gift, grant or inheritance, or devised, shall be and remain the estate and property of such woman, and shall not be liable for the debts,

obligation or engagements of her husband, and may be devised, bequeathed and alienated by her as if she were unmarried.

Mr. ALLEN also offered the following:

Resolved, That the Judiciary Committee be instructed to inquire into. the legality of extending the benefits of the homestead law to all exemptions of debts contracted prior to the passage of those Acts, and that they be empowered to call to their aid the best legal talent of this State, if by them considered necessary.

Mr. ALLEN. I have been informed by members of this body, whom I consider competent judges, that such a law would be unconstitutional. The Governor of the State, however, whom I also consider competent legal authority, has advised the passage of such an act. I merely introduce the resolution for the purpose of inquiring into the expediency or legality of the measure. It is intended for many of the most prominent men of this country, who, unless afforded relief, will be thrown as outcasts upon the land. The question being put upon its adoption, it was disagreed to.

Mr. L. S. LANGLEY, of Beaufort, submitted an ordinance to change the name of the election Districts of South Carolina into Counties, and to divide such Counties into Townships; said Townships to be not less than five miles, nor more than ten miles, which was referred to the Committee on Legislation.

Dr. J. C. NEAGLE offered the following:

Be it ordained, &c., That the President of this Convention do place his signature and official title, dated at Charleston, January 20, 1868, across the face of two hundred thousand dollars of the bills of this State, authorized by Act of the Legislature of this State, passed on the 21st of December, 1865, and known as "Bills Receivable." And that all such bills bearing said signature shall be "legal tender" for all debts, public or private, within the jurisdiction of this State, except in cases where the Government of the United States is a party.

Second. Be it ordained, &c., That the public Treasurer of this State in Charleston is hereby authorized to sell, under the direction and control of His Excellency James L. Orr, Provisional Governor of the State, a sufficient amount of the aforesaid bills to raise ten thousand dollars in United States currency per week, or so much as may be necessary to pay the delegates of this Convention.

Third. Be it ordained, &c., That the balance of the aforesaid bills remain in the Public Treasury of the State, to be expended in defraying the contingent expenses of the State under the appropriations authorized by General Orders, No. -, from the Headquarters, Second Military District, and under the control of His Excellency James L. Orr, Provisional Governor, or his successor in office.

Fourth. Be it ordained, &c., That the Finance Committee are hereby directed to prepare and report at an early day an ordinance for the levy and collection of taxes in accordance with the Reconstruction Acts of Congress, under which this Convention is convened, that will amount to two hundred thousand dollars, to be collected between the first day of September and first day of December, 1871, which money shall be appropriated to the redemption of the aforesaid bills on and after the first of January, 1872, in such manner as this Convention may direct.

Dr. NEAGLE moved to refer the ordinance to the Committee on Finance, with instructions to report to morrow.

Mr. N. G. PARKER, Chairman of the Finance Committee, asked an extension of the time fixed in the proposed ordinance.

Mr. J. L. NEAGLE. Many of the delegates are in want of money to meet their expenses here, and it is very important we should provide for them at once. We desire to know where the money is to come from.

On motion, the ordinance was referred to the Finance Committee, to report at 12 o'clock M., Wednesday.

Mr. N. G. PARKER offered the following, which was considered immediately and adopted:

Resolved, That the Committee on Rules and Regulations be requested to report rules and regulations for the government of this body, and that one hundred and fifty copies be printed and laid upon the desks of the members at the earliest practicable moment; also, that the names of the members be alphabetically arranged and published with those rules.

Mr. B. BYAS offered the following, which was referred to the Committee on Rules and Regulations:

W HEREAS, The exercise of wisdom and discretion is necessary in the action of this body; therefore be it

Resolved, That no article, section, paragraph or clause, calculated to be embodied in the Constitution, shall receive its final adoption until the same shall receive at least two readings, and the lapse of twenty-four hours between each reading, and all ordinances be subjected to the same stipulations.

Mr. B. O. DUNCAN offered the following, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

WHEREAS, the institution of slavery has been abolished by the Government of the United States, and this action has been ratified by the State of South Carolina; and

Whereas, still to recognize indebtedness or obligations for slaves, is still to recognize rights in slavery; therefore be it

Resolved, That all debts or obligations of any kind for slaves, are

here with declared to be null and void, and shall forever after be so considered. Be it further

Resolved, That hereafter no State Court or State official shall entertain any suit, or recognize any claim en indebtedness or obligations contracted for slave property.

Mr. B. 0. DUNCAN also offered the following, which was referred to the Committee:

WHEREAS, a long continued and bloody war has left our State in a most deplorable condition of poverty and demoralization; and,

Whereas, property of all kind has depreciated to much less than half its former value, thus changing entirely the basis on which the debts were contracted; and,

Whereas, a most vicious management of the rebel finances have left nearly all our people loaded down with old debts contracted prior to the war; therefore be it

Resolved, That all debts contracted prior to the 30th of June, 1865, shall be reduced one-half; provided, however, that nothing in this ordinance shall be so construed as to interfere with any debt owed outside the State prior to the date above mentioned, and that it shall not relieve the State of any of its obligations except those contracted in aid of the rebellion, nor shall it relieve any individual, company or corporation of any obligations to the State.

Mr. J. N. HAYNE, of Barnwell, moved that the Clerk of the House furnish each member of the Convention with a copy of the daily papers of this city.

Mr PILLSBURY moved to amend by making it one copy of any daily paper a member may select.

Mr. A. J. RANSIER suggested that the Courier be selected. Another delegate said he preferred the Mercury.

Mr. B. F. WHITTEMORE moved to amend by adding that one weekly paper be furnished to the members.

Mr. CRAIG asked for information who was going to pay for the papers; whether they proposed the members to pay for them themselves or to take the money out of the State Treasury.

The PRESIDENT stated all orders for money would have to be settled out of the State Treasury.

Mr. R. C. DELARGE moved to lay the resolution on the table, which was agreed to.

Mr. F. J. MOSES, Jr., offered the following, which was referred to the Committee on the Executive :

Whereas, by all Conventions in South Carolina heretofore, it has been a wise and salutary custom to have the assistance and aid of the State Solicitors in the legal preparation of ordinances and other papers; and