Columbus Democrat., 1849-11-24
[FrOa he y. o. PicaguHs cf Nor. Il.
--latest from California.
ARRIvAL OF THE srEAMsnIP ALABAMA.

ARRIVAL OF THE STEAMSHIP ALABAMA.
The steamship Alabama. Capt. ]. J. Wright,
arrived last evening from Chagres.
The steamer Empire CRY arrived at Kingston
on the Cd inst, having left Chagres on the ooh
October, with l25 passengers and S50O000 in
gold The Oregon was at Panama.
The subject which now excites the greatest
inieres in California Is the convention which had
commenced its sessions, and was deeply engaged
in the momentous business before il. The tel.
lowing sketch Of its proceedings we take from
Alta Californian Of the Isl Of October;
This body, up to the latest dates, had been in
session little over three weeks. Most OF the
provisions fr the proposed constitution had been
acted upon in the Committee of the Whole, and
that, we suppose, may be taken as fair index Of
what will be the action Of the House.
The bill OF rights as adopted in COMMITTEES Of
the Whole, embraces twenty sections. OF the
usual character Of such provisions. be only
point upon which il was supposed a controversy
would arise-the question OF slavery--was pass
ed without debate, and unanimously, utterly pro-
hbIiug slavery. Some few were in favor of
submitting the matter to the people for sepa-
rate vote, but It was not contended for wi b any
aHbH Va Su'hhocNlt duu was NuACu OONu uttiOoh
unanimously.
The suffrage question was the source Of con.
siderable debate but il was finally disposed Of
by adnilt,ng all male citizens of the U. States,
six months residence in California, and twenty
one years Of age. (Indians, Africans, and the de.
scendauts of Africans excepted) to The privilege
of electors.
The Legislature is 10 consist oftwo branches,
an Assembly and Senate, with such general
powers, privileges and duties as are usually given
to such bodies. Banking corporations and lotte.
ries are prohibited, and all other corporations,
except iDr municipal purposes, are to be esiab>
lished under general laws, the stockholders 10 be
individually liable for all debts. Some considers
able debate occurred upon provision which al.
lows corporations TO be formed for receiving de-
posts of gold and silver twas urged that, un.
der such provsion,s an irresponsible system x
banking might grow up but The section was
finally so amended as 10 answer all objections,
and in that shape, passed
The members OF the Assembly ara 10 be cleo.
ted annually, and the members of the Senate are
TO hold their office for two years. One bali OF
the Senate to be elected each year. No person
can be member Of the Legislature who has not
been a resident of the State one year, in addition
10 other qualifications.
The number Of members Of Assembly Is never
to be less than twenty four or more than thirty
six, until the number Of inhabitants in thi. State
shall amount to one hundred thousand and after
that period at such ratio that the whole number
Of members Of Assembly shall never be less than
thirty or more than eighty. The Senate is never
IN sis nj loaa fhan tbtrI IN,
one half the number Of the Assembly.
Some division Of opinion arose on PROPOSE,
ton made by Mr.. McCarver to prevent free per.
sons Of color from settling 10 California, and also
to prevent shareholders from bringing slaves into
the State for the purpose OF liberaling them. II
! finally passed in Committee Of the Whole but
has been looked upon since as jeopardzing the
ratification Of the constitution by Congress. aud
as this feeling was gaining ground the House
probably will strike il out.
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary
Of State Comptroller, Treasurer, Attorney Gen~
eral and Surveyor General constitute the Exec.
ulyc Department. They are all to hold their
Offices two years. The Governor and Lieuten.
ant Governor are to be elected by general bal.
! lot the Secretary Of State is to be appointed by
!
Of the Senate; the Comptroller and three other
State officers are to be elected by the Legsla-
turc in Joint ballot for the first term, and alier-
wards BY the people at the general State eec>
| ton An effort was made in the Committee Of
/ the Whole TO strike out the office Of Comptroller,
/ but It failed 1t will, however. be again pressed
/ in the House, as the office is totally unnecessary
we trust the motion will be successful. The
/ Governor has the usual powers, including the
veto and the privileges and duties of his Office
do not vary materially from those of all other
States in the Union. The other State officers
correspond in duties and powers with those gem
orally ascribed to them.
/ The article relative to the militia, as passed
/ in Committee of the Whole, Is substantially such
as is found in other State constitutions as is that
also relative TO amendments.
The boundary, judicial and educational ques-
tions were not decided upon at last advices, but
ii was supposed the convention would adjourn in
all the first week in October