CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR announced the special order, being Mr. Brown's bill [S. 3], providing for the calling of a Constitutional Convention, which was read the second time.
On motion by Mr. BROWN, it was amended so that the Convention shall consist of fifty members.
Mr. SPANN moved to change the time of meeting from September to June.
Mr. FOSTER opposed the amendment, as he desired the farming community to be represented in the Convention.
Mr. SPANN feared if the Convention met in September it would run till spring.
The motion was rejected.
Mr. VIEHE moved to amend so that two-thirds of the Convention shall constitute a quorum, as is the practice under our present Constitution.
The amendment was agreed to.
Mr. VAN VORHIS moved to strike out the enacting clause, thinking it should be determined first whether we want a Convention or not before proceeding to perfect this bill.
Mr. MENZIES thought, as an act of courtesy, the author should be heard on the merits of his bill before it is so summarily disposed of and it is evident to those present that he is not in a condition to properly present it to-day.
Mr. VAN VORHIS withdrew his motion.
Mr. VAN VORHIS made an ineffectual motion--yeas, 25; nays, 19--to postpone further considera- page: 80[View Page 80] tion of this bill till next Tuesday, at 2 o'clock p.m.
Mr. WILSON moved an amendment limiting the sessions to ninety days.
Mr. CHAPMAN contended that the Legislature could not limit the length of sessions for a Constitutional Convention.
Mr. SPANN took a contrary view--that the legislature has the right not only to limit the length of time, but also to fix the place where and when the Convention shall meet, the number of officers it shall have, and to place any other reasonable limit.
Mr. VIEHE thought the work ought to be done in thirty days, but such a body should not be limited as to time by the General Assembly.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr. GRUBBS moved to make the pay of members $10 a day.
On motion by Mr. FOSTER, it was laid on the table.
On motion by Mr. BROWN, the bill was ordered to be engrossed for the third reading and made the special order for Wednesday of next week, at 2 o'clock p. m.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR announced the special order for this hour being the bill [H. R. 16] providing for the submission to the qualified electors of this State for ratification or rejection the proposed Constitutional Amendments as adopted by the General Assembly at the sessions of 1877 an 1879. [May be ratified by a majority of the votes cast.] It was read the first time, and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
