STANDING COMMITTEES. Mr. CAMPBELL. I rise for the purpose of making a suggestion, rather than a motion. It will be borne in mind by members that on yesterday, or perhaps the day before, resolutions tain standing committees. Now if gentlemen were offered, some of them providing for cerwill refer to the rules of the House, which have been adopted temporarily, as well as to the rules of the Senate, or to the rules of the House of Representatives or of the Senate of the United standing committees, not the individual memStates, they will see that they prescribe the bers of the committee but what standing committees shall be appointed in the ordinary way. It seems to me, therefore, that it is at least due to the gentlemen who submit those propositions that they should be taken from the table, where the Committee on Rules and Order of Business. For the purpose of testing the sense of the Convention perhaps it would be proper to make a motion to that effect, which I do. Mr. DORSEY. I ask leave to offer the fol- they have been temporarily laid, and referred to lowing resolution : "Resolved, That a committee of five members be appointed by the President to consider the subject of reporting and publishing the debates and proceedings of this Convention, with authority to report at any time such recommendations as they may deem expedient." I desire to make a single remark on this subject. It will be remembered that the act of the General Assembly calling the Convention of 1850 provided for a reporter, making the appointment by name. Some exception was taken to that in the Convention, and finally a committee was appointed on the subject. When this Convention was called, the General Assembly made no provision of the kind; perhaps remembering what had taken place at the former Convention, they have left us to determine in regard to this matter for ourselves. The resolution I have offered simply provides for the appointment, of a committee to report upon the propriety of having our debates and proceedings reported and published, and to consider in regard to the appointment of the reporter to take charge of that duty. I presume that all the members of the Convention will see the propriety of having this committee appointed. Mr. WEST. I believe the gentleman from Miami [Mr. DORSEY] is a member of the committee of thirteen. I think this resolution would very properly go to that committee. I ask the gentleman to consent to that reference, which I will move. Mr. DORSEY. I will very willingly accept the suggestion of the gentleman from Logan [Mr. WEST] provided he will couple with it authority to that committee to appoint the committee named in my resolution. I am on the committee of thirteen, and had this resolution been adopted I would have suggested to the President not to appoint me upon the committee. I would suggest to the gentleman from Logan to add to his motion to refer, instructions to the committee of thirteen to appoint a committee of five upon the subject of reporting and publishing the debates. Mr. WEST. The committee of thirteen can report to the Convention upon the propriety of creating the committee, and if it is created, let the President appoint it. Mr. DORSEY. Very well, I will not object. Mr. BURNS I think the gentleman from Butler [Mr. CAMPBELL] is under a slight misapprehension. It is true we have adopted the rules of the last House of Representatives, but with this proviso: "So far as they may be applicable." Mr. CAMPBELL. I merely referred to those rules to show that it was the custom of deliberative bodies to provide by their rules what should be the standing committees. With the view of enabling the committee of thirteen to know what is the inclination or drift or disposition of certain gentlemen who have introduced these resolutions, I have made the motion that they may be taken from the table and referred to that committee, in order that they may have them before them for consideration. I do not mean that we are bound by the list of committees as set forth in the rules of the last House of Representatives, which we have temporarily adopted. I merely referred to those rules to show what was the custom of deliberative bodies. Mr. EWING. While it is true that it is the custom and the rule of the House of Representatives to have the committee on rules designate the number of committees that should be appointed, it is not an established rule of parlia mentary law. Therefore the resolutions that were offered on yesterday providing for the appointment of a number of committees were not at all in violation of any parliamentary precedent, or of any common rule which is alone applicable to the subject. Now that we have adopted the rules of the last House of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio for the present, it seems to me proper that in accordance with those rules we leave the number of standing committees of this body to be fixed by the rules that may be reported from our Committee on Rules and Order of Business. Mr. CAMPBELL. That is the object of my motion. to. The motion of Mr. CAMPBELL was then agreed ORDER OF BUSINESS. Mr. HITCHCOCK. I wish to suggest to the Convention that it now take a recess until three ROOT, WEST, CUNNINGHAM, HOADLY. o'clock this afternoon. I think the Committee on Rules will be prepared at that time to report upon all those questions which it is necessary shall receive immediate action. I think time will be saved by taking the recess. Mr. ROOT. I ask the gentleman to allow us an hour more, say until four o'clock. Mr. HITCHCOCK. I am not at all particular about the hour. [THURSDAY, 2d. The aggregate amount of the interest paid upon the bonds issued for the stock. county, state, town or township, upon such stock. 4th. If the stock has been sold, how much was realized from the sale. 5th. What amount of taxes for all purposes has been paid by the railroads in the county. State separately the amount paid each year. Mr. WEST. What is the object of the resolution? Mr. ROOT. We desire to make as full a reMr. CUNNINGHAM. To enable the Conport as we can, without raising a general dis-vention to have information on a subject which cussion, because if we do raise a discussion, the will undoubtedly come before this Convention Lord only knows when it will end. But there and will create considerable interest. We are are certain things about which I believe no well all aware that the subscription to railroads by informed member of the Convention will have counties and cities is a subject which has been any hesitation; for instance, in reference to the before the State Legislature for the past year, size of the committee on the judiciary, and of was embodied in what is known as the Boesel some other committees. My purpose, I avow, Law, and has resulted in the decision rendered is this; we have imposed upon the presiding last Tuesday in the Supreme Court. The policy officer of this body a very great responsibility, of re-enacting the old clause of the Constitution and I have reason to think that he is as con- will come up before this Convention, and it is scious of it as any member can be. We desire, right that this Convention should have such inof course, to bring under his consideration as formation as can be obtained touching the submuch business of this body, in that particular, scriptions that have heretofore been made by as we can; in order that he may have time to counties, cities, towns and townships. I offer discharge properly the duties devolving upon the resolution in order that we may obtain the him. I avow my purpose to trust completely information asked for at the earliest possible to him, and yet hold him responsible for it. time. Therefore I suggest that we take a recess until four o'clock this afternoon, by which time we can report a considerable number of things. Mr. WEST. A single suggestion. The committee of thirteen have been given the privilege of sitting during the session of the Convention. There is no necessity for them to make a report at three o'clock, if we should meet at that time. There is an amount of surplus wind and gas in this body that must be thrown off. Now let us meet at three o'clock, and we can talk about a great many things to amuse ourselves for an hour or so, get acquainted with each other, and then at four or five o'clock, as the Committee on Rules may think proper, they can come in and make their report. Mr. ROOT. The reason I am in favor of the recess until four o'clock is that the members of the Convention may be here. Mr. WEST. Oh, they will be here. Mr. ROOT. How do you know? Mr. WEST. We are going to pass a lot of patriotic resolutions and revolutionize everything. Mr. ROOT. I insist upon my motion for a recess until four o'clock. The motion was agreed to; and accordingly (at 11.50 a. m.) the Convention took a recess until four o'clock p. m. AFTERNOON SESSION. The Convention re-assembled at 4 o'clock p. m. MUNICIPAL AID TO RAILROADS. The resolution was adopted. DOCUMENTS FROM NEW YORK. Mr. HOADLY. I offer the following resolution: Resolved, That the Secretary of the Convention forthwith request the Governor of the State of New York to cient number of copies of the Report of the Commission supply to this body, for the use of its members, a suffion Finance and Taxation made in that State." and Taxation made by the Special Commission The resolution was adopted. PRINTING FOR THE CONVENTION. Mr. TOWNSEND. I offer the following resolution: Mr. CUNNINGHAM. I offer the following necessary printing to be done for the use of the ConvenResolved, That the Secretary be authorized to procure the resolution: tion until the standing Committee on Printing shall have made provision for the same. Resolved, That the Auditor of State be requested to address a circular to the Auditors or the several counties, requiring them to furnish for the use of the Convention, without delay, information upon the following points: 1st. The amount of stock taken in railroads by the county, and by cities, towns and townships within the county, previous to the first day of September, 1851. Even after the committee on printing shall have been appointed, it will necessarily be one sion for the printing for this body. During or two days before they will have made provithat time there must be some printing done, MAY 14, 1873.] HUNT, PEAS E, O'Connor, Young, ETC., ETC. and I desire that the Secretary shall be authorized to procure it. The question was taken, and upon a division, ayes 45, noes 15, the resolution was adopted. HOISTING THE FLAG DURING SESSIONS. Mr. HUNT. I offer the following resolution: Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-Arms be directed to arrange to have the national colors displayed from the Capitol Building during the sessions of the Convention. Mr. POWELL. I move to amend by inserting "south wing" before the word "capitol." Mr. HUNT. I accept the amendment. The resolution as amended was adopted. HOUGH'S CONSTITUTIONS. Mr. PEASE. I offer the following resolution: Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-Arms be authorized and required to procure copies of the several State Constitutions for the use of the members of this Convention. Mr. O'CONNOR. I would inquire if it is not proposed here to incur an expense which we are not prepared for by the very liberal appropriation made by the General Assembly for the expenses of this Convention. For the purpose of ascertaining the probable cost of this work, I move that this resolution be referred to a special committee of one. I suppose members can have an opportunity to refer to this work in the State Library, while to furnish one hundred and fifty copies might be somewhat expensive. Mr. YOUNG, of Champaign. What is the number of copies contemplated by this resolution? Mr. PEASE. One for each member. Mr. O'CONNOR. So I supposed. I think we shall have an opportunity to ascertain what will be the probable cost of such a purchase. For that purpose I move that the resolution be referred to the author of it, as a special committee of one. Mr. HORTON. Perhaps the author of this resolution can now give the necessary information. I know of my own knowledge that those Constitutions have been published. Mr. BISHOP. It is my impression that many members of this Convention have these Constitutions. I am opposed to taxing the State for their purchase. Mr. PEASE. I drafted this resolution, believing that all the light which can be furnished to this Convention should be obtained to facilitate its business. It is very probable that we may not need the Constitutions of all the States; but it will be difficult to discriminate, or to designate which shall be left out. That many of these Constitutions will be of infinite service to this Convention, I have not the slightest doubt; and if by the expenditure of a small amount of money, we can obtain increased information about the work which we are to perform, if we can obtain the benefit of the experience of the States around us, it seems to me that will be one step towards the end for which we are assembled here. If there were no Constitutions, it might not be a great task for a body of intelligent men to frame one which would serve the purposes of this State for twenty years. But, having before us the experience of the differ ent States, with a knowledge of the operations of their several Constitutions, it seems to me that in a very brief period we could easily_accomplish the work we have to perform. It is with that view I have offered this resolution. Mr. YOUNG, of Champaign. Let me suggest to the gentleman from Seneca [Mr. O'CONNOR] that if it is understood that the purpose of this resolution is to procure but one copy of this Work, there is no need of the reference he proposes. My friend on my left and myself were in the Library a few days ago, and we suggested to the Librarian to send for a copy of this work, and he will do so. Mr. HOADLY. There has been published, within a recent period, in two large octavo volumes, all the Constitutions of all the States of this Union. The book is known by the name of "Hough's American Constitutions." There should be a copy of it in the State Library now. Judging from the size of the book, the price of it will be from $12 to $15 per copy; so that one hundred and five copies will cost something more than $1,000. If the resolution is confined to a single copy, I think we had better find out whether it is not already in the State Library. If it is intended to furnish each member of this body with this large and valuable work, I think the expense will not be justified by the result. Mr. SCRIBNER. There is another question to be considered, over and above that of the expense, and that is this; this Convention is not à legislative body, and I am at a loss to understand whence it derives its power to purchase books. I do not think it is necessary to make any such purchase. Mr. WEST. As this question seems to involve some doubt in regard to the propriety of adopting this resolution, and as I am unable now to give an enlightened vote upon it, I give notice of my intention to discuss it. When it shall again be taken up, we will probably know more about it. Mr. O'CONNOR. I would have no objection to the resolution going upon the table, under the notice to discuss, as that will give us an opportunity to obtain the information I want. I would suggest, however, that the rule requiring the resolutions to go over one day, if notice to discuss is given, also requires the notice to be given immediately upon their introduction. As discussion has already been had upon this resolution, the notice is too late. Mr. WEST. As I understand the rule, a motion to refer, with instructions, is debatable; and that is the motion, of which an intention to to discuss can be given, as much as of any other motion. If it was a mere motion to refer, without instructions, it might have precluded the notice which I gave. But the motion to refer, with instructions, is of a kindred character to a resolution. The PRESIDENT. The rule to which the gentleman refers is as follows: Resolutions giving rise to debate shall lie over for one day before being acted upon, if, upon their introduction, any member shall give notice of a desire to discuss the propositions therein contained. Discussion has already taken place upon this resolution, and the question before the Convention is upon the motion to refer it to a special committee of one, the author of the resolutio LAYTON, HUNT, HUMPHREVILLE, KING, ETC. [THURSDAY, to enquire into the cost of the number of vol- do not fix any particular time for meeting. It umes contemplated by the resolution. The motion was agreed to. BUSINESS OF THE COURTS. Mr. LAYTON offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the Secretary of this Convention be directed to address a circular to the clerks of the various Superior and Common Pleas Courts of the State, also of the Supreme Court, to require them to furnish without delay information on the following 'subjects: 1. The number of appearances at each term of their respective courts, distinguishing criminal from civil cases, and whether originating in said court, or brought there by appeal or writ of error. 2. The number of cases recommitted at each term of their respective courts, and how, by jury or otherwise. 3. The number of days their respective courts were in session during the year, designating the number of days the courts of Common Pleas were in session at special terms and called courts. That said information be required to embrace all of the business aforesaid in the said courts for the year 1872. Mr. GRISWOLD. I desire to give notice that I propose to discuss this resoulution. The PRESIDENT. Then, under the rule, it will lie upon the table. Resolved, That when the Convention adjourn upon any day, without other time named, it shall be until ten o'clock, A. M. the following day; and when it takes a recess any day, unless otherwise ordered, it shall be until three P. M. of the same day. The PRESIDENT. seems to me the original resolution is as good as it can be made by amendment and I shall therefore vote against striking out. Mr. GRISWOLD. The resolution as I understand it, contemplates further ordering of the Convention in this respect. I am in favor of ten and three o'clock as the hours of meeting as long as we have no reports of committees to act upon. We can change this order at any time hereafter. The question was then taken upon striking out ten, and it was not agreed to. The next question was upon striking out three, and being taken, it was not agreed to. The resolution was then adopted. PORTERS FOR CONVENTION. Mr. MUELLER offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the Sergeant-at-Arms is hereby authorized to employ Sebastian Grumlich as porter of this convention at a compensation of $4 per diem; and two assistants at a per diem of $2.50; and that the President of the convention certify the compensation of said porter and assistants from the time of their employment. Mr. SCOFIELD. I give notice that I desire to discuss this resolution. most necessary officers that we have. They Mr. HOADLY. I call the gentleman to order. I believe the resolution is not before the Convention. The PRESIDENT. Nctice to discuss having been given, the resolution must lie over one day under the rule. ORDER OF BUSINESS. Mr. KING. The Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Order of Business [Mr. HITCHCOCK] is not yet prepared to report, and probWhen the resolution ably will not be for twenty minutes or half an was laid upon the table yesterday, there was hour. By ten o'clock to-morrow, the compending an amendment moved by the gentle-mittee will be prepared to report in full. This man from Madison [Mr. PHELLIS] to strike out "ten" and insert "nine;" and to strike out "three" and insert "two." Mr. LAYTON. I call for a division of the question, and ask that the vote be first taken upon striking out. The PRESIDENT. A division of the question having been called for, the first question will be upon striking out "ten." afternoon they will not be prepared to report more than partially. I therefore move that the Convention do now adjourn. Mr. CAMPBELL. Is that the desire of the chairman of the committee? Mr. KING. The chairman informed me that he would not be ready for half an hour yet. is, the rule prescribing the number of standing committees to be appointed, so that the President might have that before him for consideration. But if it be the desire of the chairman that the Convention shall now adjourn, of course I will not object. Mr. CAMPBELL. It was the understanding when the committee rose, that they would Mr. HUMPHREVILLE. In the present make a report this afternoon, and ask the Concondition of our business, and until we are pre-vention to act upon only one branch of it-that pared to go to work in earnest, upon the reports of committees, I think that ten o'clock in the morning is early enough for us to meet, and that three o'clock in the afternoon will be early enough to meet when we take a recess. If we should spend our time here from nine o'clock till twelve, then meet again at two and remain until dark, as we did yesterday, we will be spending our time to no advantage whatever. I hope that in a very few days we will have the reports of some of our standing committees to work upon. Then, if it is thought advisable, this rule for the time of meeting can be changed. The rules of the House, which we have adopted, Mr. KING. I will withdraw the motion for the present. OUTLINE MAPS. which was read and adopted: the Convention 200 small outline maps, showing the coun- MAY 15, 1873.] HITCHCOCK, CAMPBELL, O'Connor, BabER, ETC. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RULES. Mr. HITCHCOCK. I am directed by the Committee on Rules and Order of Business to submit a report to this Convention. Mr. CAMPBELL. This report is very lengthy, embracing the rules for the government of this Convention, and is hardly yet in shape to be read. I move, therefore, that the reading of the entire report be dispensed with until tomorrow, after the reading of the Journal, and that the Convention now proceed to consider that portion of it embraced in Rule VI, which provides for the number of standing committees to be appointed. If that be acted upon this afternoon, the presiding officer will be enabled to have the matter before him, with a view to the arrangement of the committees hereafter, which is the most important, and perhaps one of the most responsible duties of the Chair. The committee also report a resolution providing temporarily for the necessary printing of the Convention. The PRESIDENT. While the committee was out, a resolution was adopted by the Convention, authorizing its Secretary to make provision for that purpose. Mr. CAMPBELL. Very well, then I will move that the reading of the report be dispensed with for the present, except Rule No. VI. Mr. O'CONNOR. I would also move that the report be printed. There certainly will not be much discussion upon this question of the standing committees; and if the report be printed, we can then take it up to-morrow and act upon it. We cannot otherwise act upon it with any degree of understanding, merely from the reading of the report by the Secretary. We can now adopt Rule VI, providing for the standing committees, in order to give the President all the time we can to appoint those committees. Mr. HOADLY. I rise for the purpose of making an inquiry. Is it the wish of the committee that the course indicated by the gentleman from Butler [Mr. CAMPBELL] should be taken? I was inclined to object on the ground that the proposition came from an individual member of the committee, and not from the committee itself;-not out of any want of respect for the gentleman who made the suggestion. If it is the wish of the committee that this course should be adopted, I will make no objection. Mr. CAMPBELL. I think when my friend from Hamilton [Mr. HOADLY] understands me better than he seems to do now, he will know that coming fresh from the committee room, I would not assume such a responsibility without the assent of my colleagues. I now say for his information, that I have authority from that committee to make this proposition, and I had it before I made it. It was simply with the view of carrying out the platform which the gentleman enunciated with a great deal of vigor yesterday, to get at our business as rapidly as possible, to conduct the business of the Convention as expeditiously as it might be done. done. It is not my individual proposition at all. Mr. HOADLY. My mistake is a very natural one, and was founded upon the supposition that the committee had but one chairman. I make no objection. Mr. BABER, I wish to say, for the information of the Convention that what the gentleman from Butler, [Mr CAMPBELL] has done, he did at the request of the committee. The committee had acted upon the report; the writing it out at full length would require considerable time. In order that the President of the Convention might have the subject of the standing committees before him, we concluded to ask the Convention to act upon that part of the report to-day. The balance of the report can be printed and laid upon our table to-morrow morning. The reading of the report, with the exception of Rule VI, was accordingly dispensed with. Rule VI was then read as follows: The President shall appoint the following standing committees: 1. A committee of nine on Privileges and Elections. 2. A committee of five on Printing. 3. A committee of five on Reporting and Publication. 4. A committee of five on Accounts and Expenses. And the following committees on Constitutional Revision : Rights. 1. A committee of nine on the Preamble and Bill of 2. A committee of thirteen on the Legislative Department. 3. A committee of seven on the Executive Department. 4. A committee of eighteen on the Judicial Department, to be composed of two from each Judicial District. 5. A committee of nine on the Elective Franchise. 6. A committee of seven on Education. 7. A committee of nine on Public Institutions. 8. A committee of nine on Public Debt and Public Works. 9. A committee of nine on County and Township Organization. District. 10. A committee of five on the Militia. 11. A committee of twenty on Apportionment and Representation, to consist of one from each Congressional 12. A committee of fifteen on Revenue and Taxation. 13. A committee of nine on Municipal Corporations. 14. A committee of nine on Corporations other than Municipal. 15. A committee of seven on Miscellaneous Matters. 16. A committee of seven on Amendments. 17. A committee of nine on the Subject of Traffic in Intoxicating Liquors. 18. A committee of seven on the Schedule, The rule as read was adopted. Mr. HITCHCOCK. I will state, in connection with this subject of committees provided for in Rule VI, that there are other committees which the Committee on Rules supposed would probably be required in the discharge of the duties that we have before us, but not relating Provision for those committees can be made especially to the revision of the Constitution. hereafter. Mr. COOK. I will move that the remainder of the report of the Committee on Rules be re-committed to the committee. The motion was agreed to. ORDER OF BUSINESS. Mr. POWELL offered the following resolution: have fully reported so as to furnish business to the ConResolved, That until the standing committees shall vention, it shall be the order of business on each day as soon as the order of the day shall be disposed of, for the Convention to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole on the Amendments to the Constitution: when it shall be the duty of the chairman to read the Constitution, section by section consecutively, and upon reading each section he shall put the question-Shall this section stand as it is ?—and take the decision of the Convention thereon, and keep a memorandum of the result. |