Decatur-JAMES B. FOLEY and JOSEPH ROB Sullivan-BENJAMIN WOLFE. Tippecanoe-JOEL B. MCFARLAND, JOHN PETTIT and ОTHNIEL L. CLARK. Dubois-BENJAMIN R. EDMonston. Delaware-DAVID KILGore. Elkhart-WALTER E. BEACH. Floyd-PHINEAS M. KENT and HENRY P. Union-BENJAMIN F. BROOKBANK. Fountain-JOSEPH COATS and JOSEFH RIS Franklin-GEORGE BERRY, SPENCER WILEY D. LOGAN and RODOLPHUS SCHOONOVER. and GEORGE G. SHOUp. Wayne-JOHN S. NEWMAN, JAMES RARIDEN, OTHNIEL BEESON and JOHN BEARD. Gibson SAMUEL HALL. INSON. THOMAS. THORNTON. TINE. Grant-BENONI C. HOGIN. Green-THOMAS BUTLER, The Delegates were all present but Messrs. JONES of Bartholomew, CONDUIT of Morgan, Hamilton-ALBERT COLE and HAYMOND W. COLFAX of St. Joseph, RITCHEY of Johnson, TAYLOR of Laporte, HovEY of Posey, and BLYTHE of Vanderburgh. CLARK. Hancock-GEORGE TAGue. Harrison-JOHN ZENOR and JOHN MATHES. THE ORGANIZATION. C. NAVE. The SECRETARY OF STATE now an Henry-ISAAC KINDLEY, DANIEL MOWRER nounced that a quorum of the Convention was and GEORGE H. BALLINGAll. present, and ready to proceed to the businesss of organization, according to the pleasure of the Jackson-SAMUEL P. MOONEY. Jennings-JOHN L. SPANN. Resolved, That this Convention now proceed to elect a President by viva voce vote. Knox-JAMES DICK and WILLIS W. HITT. Kosciusko-JAMES GARVIN. The question having been announced by the Lagrange-JOHN B. HOWE. Mr. PETTIT proposed the following as a Lawrence-GEORGE W. CARR and MELCH-substitute for the resolution of the gentleman. ERT HELMER. from Posey: Madison-JOHN DAVIS. Resolved, That GEO. W. CARR, Delegate from the county of Lawrence, be chosen President of this Convention. Marion-ALEXANDER F. MORRISON, DAVID WALLACE, DOUGLASS MAGUIRE and JACOB Р. CHAPMAN. Martin-THOMAS GOOTEE. Miami-JOHN A. GRAHAM. Monroe-WILLIAM C. FOSTER, Sr. Mr. OWEN accepted the substitute. Mr. BORDEN said, he saw by this proceeding that the Convention was likely to get into a difficulty at once, and inasmuch as they had Montgomery-HENRY T. SNOOK, DAVID A. adopted no rules for their government, it occurSHANNON and HORACE E. CARTER. red to his mind that the only way by which the body could come to an understanding and a decision of the matter, would be to act directly upon the question of the adoption of the original resolution. Morgan-JAMES CRAWFORD. Mr. OWEN offered for adoption the following resolution: Orange—WILLIAM HOLLADAY. Parke-WILLIAM R. NOFFSINGER and SAM- Perry-SAMUEL FRISBIE. Pike-CHARLES ALEXANDER. ERS. Rush-JESSE MORGAN, JEFFERSON HELM be taken. and WILLIAM A. BRACKen. Mr. RARIDEN said, he did not wish to precipitate business. He thought the original Scott-HEZEKIAH S. SMITH. Shelby-THOMAS A. HENDRICKS and JAMES proposition offered by the gentleman from PoVANBENTHUsen. sey, (Mr. Owen,) would meet the wishes of the whole Convention, unless, perhaps, some gen Spencer-WILLIAM HUFF. tleman might object to the manner prescribed for the election—by a viva voce vote. If gentlemen were opposed to this manner of voting, the words might be readily stricken out. Mr. STEVENSON said, he had no objection to Mr. CARR going into the Chair of the Convention, but he would suggest that as the usual mode of electing the officers of deliberative bodies of this State was by ballot, it might perhaps, be the better way for the gentleman to withdraw the proposition. of the State was organized. He maintained that the proposition of the gentleman from Posey (Mr. Owen) was a fair proposition; it was common in the Legislature of the State and well understood by all. Whatever preference for this office gentlemen might entertain, could be as well expressed in this as in any other way. Mr. STEELE said, if it was in order, he would move to amend the substitute by striking out all after the word resolved, and inserting the proposition of the gentleman from Po sey. Mr. PETTIT said, he understood that his amendment had been accepted. Mr. PETTIT said, that in order to give entire The SECRETARY OF STATE observed, that the amendment was accepted by the gen-satisfaction to gentlemen on all sides, especialtlemanfrom Posey. ly to those gentlemen who were desirous of recording their votes, he would withdraw his amendment. Mr. SPANN observed, that this was a mere matter of form; but upon examination of the law, with reference to the organization of this Convention, he found that it was expressly provided that the organization should be effected in the manner in which the General Assembly Mr. MORRISON, of Marion, said, he was very sorry that any discussion should arise upon such a question. He was in favor of the proposition as originally submitted,before the amendment was accepted, and the reason why he was in favor of the original proposition was this: if the Convention should now go into a viva voce vote, it would require but little more time than for the Secretary to take the mere passive vote proposed in the amendment.-ously Should the resolution of the gentleman from Tippecanoe be adopted, Mr. CARR would be the President of the Convention-to all of which he was agreed; but if the original resolution was adopted each gentleman could vote for whom he pleased, and in this way gentlemen could give either complimentary votes or elective votes, as they should see proper. Mr. OWEN said, that to save time he would withdraw the proposition as amended, and offer again the original resolution. The amendment was withdrawn accordingly. Mr. KILGORE proposed to amend the resolution by adding the words: "and that all other officers of this Convention be elected in the same manner." Mr. PETTIT opposed the amendment. He could not think that gentlemen were seridisposed to go into the election of all the assistant Door-keepers, the fire makers, and laborers that were necessary about the House, at this time. The amendment of the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Kilgore) was withdrawn, and the question being taken, the resolution of the gentleman from Posey (Mr. Owen) was adopted. Mr. BORDEN said, that the Convention having decided to go now into the election of a President, he would take the liberty of proposing the name of Hon. GEO. W. CARR, one of the delegates from the county of Lawrence, for that station. In doing so, he desired to be allowed to say that the dignity and impartiality with which that gentleman had presided over the House of Representatives, of this State, for the last two sessions of that body, was a sufficient guarantee, that, by placing him in the Chair, the Convention would secure the services of a presiding officer well qualified for the station, and in every way worthy of it. Then the roll being called by the Secretary of State it was ascertained that the whole number of members voting was 140-71 being necessary to constitute a majority. Mr. PETTIT also re-offered the substitute which he had before proposed. By the adoption of his proposition, he said, there would be but one vote and Mr. CARR would be President of the Convention-which would be the result of any vote that might be taken; but if the original resolution was adopted, the names of all the members would have to be called over to ascertain the vote. Mr. KELSO said, he understood that the question was now upon the adoption of the amendment. He did not agree with the gentleman from Tippecanoe, (Mr. Pettit,) that it would be better that there should be but one vote for this officer. For himself, however, he declared that he stood ready to vote for GEO. W. CARR-he intended to vote for him, but he was opposed to his appointment by resolutioning 6)-as follows: in this way. He was willing to vote for the first resolution, but if the amendment prevailed he should vote against it. { The Secretary of State announced that Mr. GEO. W. CARR had received 134 votes (scatter AYES. Messrs. Allen, Anthony, Badger, Balingall, Barbour, Bascom, Beach, Beard, Beeson, Berry, Bicknell, Biddle, Borden, Bourne, Bowers, Bracken, Bright, Brookbank, Bryant, Butler, Carr of Jackson, Carter, Chandler, Chapman, Chenowith, Clark of Tippecanoe, Coats, Cookerly, Crawford, Davis of Madison, Davis of Parke, Davis of Vermillion, Dick, Dobson, Dunn of Jefferson, Dunn of Perry, Duzan, Edmonston, Farrow, Fisher, Foley, The following gentlemen voted blanks, viz: Mr. GEO. W. CARR, a delegate from the county of Lawrence, was therefore declared to be duly elected to the office of President of the Convention. On motion by Mr. BORDEN it was Ordered, That a committee of two be pointed to wait upon the President, and conduct him to the Chair. } Mr. PETTIT said, that in consequence of the amount of business which it was desirable should be done out of doors, he would move that the Convention do now adjourn until to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. Mr. KILGORE desired to amend the motion by striking out the words "to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock," and inserting the words "two o'clock this afternoon." He was proceeding {to offer a reason for this modification, whenThe PRESIDENT interposed, and stated to the gentleman from Delaware, that the prop Mr. KILGORE contended that this motion to adjourn was debatable, because the Convention had not yet adopted rules-and being without any rules of government, anything and everything was in order. Mr. BORDEN called the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Kilgore) to order. Mr. KILGORE having taken his seat, The PRESIDENT requested the gentleman from Allen (Mr. Borden) to reduce his point of {order to writing. Mr. BORDEN said, that a motion to adjourn from day to day was not debatable. In reply to the argument of the gentleman from Delaware, that the Convention had no rules to govern their proceedings, he affirmed that the lex Parliamentaria was in force, and was the rule to govern the proceedings of every deliberative ap-body in the country until such body had adopted { rules for its own government; that the lex Parliamentaria was as much the law to govern the proceedings of any deliberative body, as the common law was applicable to the government of proceedings of the courts of law. It was true that when any legislative body had adopted rules to govern its proceedings, those rules necessarily superseded the general parliamentary rules in all cases wherein they conflicted. But this body, not having as yet adopted any for its government, was necessarily governed by usages applicable to all deliberative bodies. For these reasons, inasmuch as the motion was clearly not debatable, he called the gentleman to order. The PRESIDENT rose and said : GENTLEMEN :I rise to tender to you my sincere and grateful acknowledgements for the distinguished honor you have confered upon me in electing me to preside over this Conven-rules tion. The memory of your partiality and this evidence of your confidence, will be carefully cherished by me to the latest period of my life. GENTLEMEN, you are assembled here for the discharge of high and important duties; and Mr. KILGORE said, he was aware that the the fact that you have been selected by the gentleman on his left (Mr. Borden) understood people for the performance of those duties, is parliamentary law very well. He doubted not a sufficient guarantee to me, that your inter- that that gentleman had been studying this course with each other will be constantly branch of knowledge very diligently during the marked by that high-minded and liberal bear-whole of last summer. But the gentleman ing which everwhere distinguishes a free people. misunderstood his proposition. He had not ofIn entering upon the discharge of the duties fered a proposition for adjournment, but simply of this place, I cannot but distrust my ability toto amend the proposition of the gentleman from meet your expectations; but I shall throw my-Tippecanoe. He now desired simply to say to self upon your indulgence, and shall rely much his experienced friend from Tippecanoe, that he upon the hope that I shall be constantly aided would like himself to know something about by your own wise counsel and experience. this informal business out of doors, to which the gentleman alluded. He threw himself upon the kind indulgence of that gentleman, and insisted that he should permit those who were not so much experienced-the within-door With these assurances I accept the office to which you have called me, and promise, as far as my ability will permit, a faithful and fair discharge of its duties. The SECRETARY of STATE, accordingly pepointed Messrs. BORDEN of Allen, and SMITH of Ripley, and this service being performed by them members to have an opportunity afforded them of knowing how the officers of the Convention were to be elected. The PRESIDENT remarked, that there were no special rules as yet, it was true, for the government of this body; but he understood it to be an universal parliamentary rule, that all questions of adjournment should be decided without debate. Mr. FOSTER said, he was obliged to dis-tire and make a Constitution ready for submissent from the decision of the Chair, for the rea-sion to the Convention, so that the body would son that this body, being without rules, had as have nothing to do but to adopt it and go home. yet fixed no definite time to which the adjourn- Mr. PETTIT, (in his seat:) Oh yes, we ment should extend. He appealed from the will provide a Constitution in time. decision of the Chair. The yeas and nays were demanded on the motion to adjourn, and being taken by the Secretary of State, were-yeas 37, nays 106; so the Convention refused to adjourn. Mr. BORDEN suggested to the gentleman from Tippecanoe to modify his motion, so as to take a recess until 3 o'clock P. M. } The PRESIDENT said, he was not aware of any rule of the House prescribing that all voting should be by ballot. Mr. PETTIT moved that the Convention adjourn until 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. Mr. ROBINSON suggested whether it would not be better for the gentleman to make his motion to adjourn for a longer time-taking time enough for himself and his friends to re Mr. PETTIT declined to modify his motion. The question being taken on the appeal, the decision of the Chair was sustained. And the question recurring upon the adoption of the amendment proposed by Mr. Kilgore, it was agreed to. 10. The motion, as amended, being also agreed The Convention took a recess until 2 o'clock P. M. AFTERNOON SESSION. Mr. BORDEN offered the following resolu tion: Mr. KILGORE said, he would suggest to his experienced friend from Tippecanoe the propriety of keeping the election of these officers separate, for there were several candidates for each place. Resolved, That a committee be appointed by the Chair to prepare and report rules of order Mr. KELSO said, he preferred the old for the government of the proceedings of this plan of electing one officer at a time. He Convention; and until said committee report, would prefer that they should first elect the and it be otherwise ordered, the rules of the Principal Secretary, a gentleman whom the House of Representatives of this State be adopt-Convention might look to as the head of that ed by this Convention, as regulations to govern department, and after the election of the prinits proceedings and deliberations, so far as the cipal officers in the three departments named, same are applicable. he would have them to employ as many assistants as their business respectively might require. Nothing had ever yet gone wrong under this mode of proceeding. He objected to the resolution as entirely too broad, and the amendment, he said, would only make it worse. The resolution was adopted. The following delegates appeared, produced their credentials, and, being duly sworn by the Hon. HORACE P. BIDDLE, took their seats, to-wit: JAMES RITCHEY, of Johnson, SCHUYLER COLFAX, of St. Joseph, and tion: Upon the suggestion of Mr. SPANN, the county of Vanderburgh was called, and Mr. JAS. E. BLYTHE, delegate for said county, came forward, took the constitutional oath, and the oath of office, the same being administered by Judge BLACKFORD, and took his seat. Resolved, That we now proceed to elect, viva voce, three Secretaries for this body, and that when elected, the President assign to each their respective duties. Mr. PETTIT proposed to amend the resolution of Mr. KILGORE by inserting after the word "duties" the words "and Sergeant-atArms and Door-keeper." The question being taken on the amendment, it was rejected. Mr. NAVE proposed to amend the resolution by striking out the word "three," and inserting the word "two." [Several voices-“No, no.”] Mr. BORDEN demanded a division of the question; but subsequently withdrew the demand. Mr. SPANN said, a resolution had just been passed, providing that we should proceed under rules of the House of Representatives, of the last General Assembly, and he recollected no precedent for bundling up two, three, four, or five officers at a time in a single election.He trusted that the Convention would not agree to such a course now, but that they would Mr. KELSO said, that to his mind this seemed to be a very strange mode of proceed-the ing-at one moment to adopt the rules of the House of Representatives, which require that all voting shall be by ballot, and in the next moment to adopt a resolution authorizing a viva voce vote. |
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