The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-10-28
In CONV ENTION.
Sketch of the Debates, &c.
MONDAY AFTERNOON, OCT. 25

ticle 7, sect 5, as not 10 strike out but 10 add
to the section. (" and the militia required By
law TO bear arms shall have reasonable com
pensstion for their services" The vote on
this motion was decided against it, l24 to a.
Col .4tbertos, moved to strike out the 9Th
section, and inseit al amendment, that no
person between The age of Is and as should
be exempt from militia duty, except Judges
of the Supreme Court, Ministers and past Of
fcers. but by paying from eight to thirteen
dollars year The motion was lost
Rev. Mr.. Francis, of Leeds, moved an a
mendnent, by inserting instead of Quakers
and Shakers, 4" persons whose religious senti-
ments forbid their engaging in war may be ex-
empteJ from military duty"
Judge T'hachsr inquired, who was TO de-
termine as to mans conscientious scruples
Mr.. Francis considered it to belong TO the
Legislature.
Mr., Emery With the most profound re-
spect for The sect Of Friends, and disposition
to give them all their rights, am opposed Ia
this provision. am opposed TO IL, on the
ground that il is deCertive. Ii we say any
thing let il be shall But, Sir, have thought
it one Of the first principles of our association
10 require the personal services Of all, or an
equivalent. Ia Pennsylvania, where so many
Quakers live, all are required to bear arms,
and if any are exempted, they are required
TO pay an equivalent, II IS not out OF any
thing unfriendly to the sect say nothing
invidious should be held up in their favor
| do not know the policy Of this measure, 1t
is said to be on the ground Of an equivalent,
but it is not so expressed. should be willing
TO compensate them for their sufferngs and
for the good they do in society; but think il
left TO the Legislature, it will do them justice.
Dir. Holmes said, it there was any thing de-
ceptive in the provision he wonld strike il out.
But it was only saying to the Legislature, you
may exempt the Quakers and Shakers. But
it is only 10 extreme cases, when the safety
of the State was in danger, that il be right to
make their property contribute for the pur
pose OF its defence.
Judge Thacher said, he knew the Qylakers
well-they were not hypocrites; and never
attempt 10 make prosoytes, which is more
than can be said of any other sect. But he
would point out the danger of leaving it TO a
mans conscience, TO exempt him from militia
ry duty. The motion was lost.
Col. .Aaterhn varied his motion so as not to:
express what should be an equivalent; the
principle of which was advocated by Mr.
Preble and Gen. Chandler, who stated that
militia duy'operated as the most unequal Tax
in the community. The motion was negatived
by l24 10 1903.
Gen, Chandler then moved an amendment,
which went TO exempt militia men from poll
taxes, in the state and county taxes, which
was also negatived. ,'-
A motion OF Col. .4therfon, to include Qua
kers and Shakers in bis proposed amendment,
was lost !; and motion Of DR.. Rose, 10 adopt
the section as in the first printed report, with
the exemption of the Judges of the Supreme
Court, was also lost.
Mr.. Holmes moved to insert " may" in
stead OF shall," which amendment passed,
aud the motion was adopted.
Leave Of absence was given to Mr.. Brad
bury, Of York. MN,
The Convention then adjourned TO O.
clock in the evening.
Ecening Session.--Article 8th,. on Litera-
cure, Ndo ldhtu Ups dilu oH ulOtIOU vi Df nose
amended in the prevsso, by inserting after the
word "made," the words :" by the Legisa-
ture" The motion prevailed.
Mr. Sfockbridge, ofN. Yarmouth, moved an
amendment in the room of the proviso, TO pro-
vide lhat the Trustees Of any literary insttu.
tons might be removed for the misapplica-
ton Of their funds. He said The article as
reported had given much uneasipess to the
friends Of those institutions.
DIR. Holmes said this provision would not 60
so far as the common law, which would cause
the charter to be forfeited for a misapplca-
ton Of funds. The motion was lost.
Mr.. Stepley OF Saco, moved to amend the
article, by striking cut the words g the Coy
ernor and Council shall have The power of re-
visjng and negativing the doings of The Trus
tees and government of such institution, in the
selection of its officers and the management Of