Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1849-11-24
CALIFORNIA CONVENTION.

Z :
CALIFORNIA CONVENTION.
The following is an abstract of the pro
ceedings of the convention assembled in
Callfomiato form q State Constitution.
The Convention had been three weeks in
session. ii0fl 'Hi
The bill of rights, as adopted in com
mittce of the whole, embraced twenty sec
tions, of the usual character of such prc-
visions. The only point upon which it
was supposed a controversy would arise
1.-THE question of slavery passed with
out debate, and unanimously, utterly pro-
hibiting slavery Some few werein IA
vor of submitting the matter to the pco-
pie for a separate vote; but itwas not
contended for with any show of strenuos.
ity, and was voted down al most unani
mously.
Tine suffrage question was the source
of considerable debate; but was finally
disposed of by admitting all male citizens
ofthc United States, six months resident
in California, and twenty-one years of
age, (lndians, Africans and the desccn
dants of exccptedD to the privileges of
electors. t"
'The Legislature is to consist of two
branchcs--an assembly and senate:
with such general powers, privileges and
duties as are usually given to such bod
les Banking corporations and lotteries
are prohibited; and all other corporations,
except for municipal purposes, are to be
established under general laws, the stock
holders to be Individually liable for all
debts. Some considerable debate oc-
Cured upon a provision which allows
corporations to be formed for receiving
deposits Of gold and silver. 1t was urged
that undes such provision, an iircspon-
sib|e system of banking might grow up;
but the section was finally SO. amended as
to answer all objections. and in that shape
passed.
The members of the assembly arc to
be elected annually, and the members of
the senate arc to hold their Offices for
two year One half of the Senate is to
be elected each year No person can be
a member Of the Legislature who has not
been resident of the State one year ia
addition to other qualifications. ,'11
The number of members of assembly
lsncvcr to be less than twenty four nor
more than thirty six, until the number of
inhabitants ofthis State shall amount to
one hundred thousand, and after that PC
ROD at such ratio that the whole number
OF members of assembly shallncvcr be
less than thirty nor more than eighty
The senate is never to consist of less
than one third nor moro than one half
of the number Of the assembly.
'Sonie division Of opinion arose on a
proposition made by Mr. McCarverto
prevent free persons Of color from set
Ting : California, and also to prevent
shareholders from bringing slaves into the
State for the purpose OF hbcrating them
1t finally passed into committee of the
whole; but it has been looked upon since
as jeopardizing the ratification of the
Constitution by Congress, and as this
feeling was gaining ground, the house
probably will strike it out. ar
Agovcmor lieutenant governor, secre
tary ofstate, comptroller, treasurer, astor-
ney gencral, constitute tho executive do
partmcnt. They are all to hold their
offices for two years. The governor and
lieutenant are to be elected bv general
ballot; the secretary Of state is obe ap-
pointed by the goyernorsby and with the
advice and consent Of tho senate; tho
comptroller, and three other state officers.
are to be elected by the Legislature in
joint ballot for the first, term and after
wards BY, tho people at the general state
election. gA An efert was made in the cop
mittec, Of tho whole TO sstrikese out the
office Of the Comptroller, but it faileds
twill, however, be,again pressed in the
house, and as the offieesis wholly unneco
essaly, we trust the motion WILDE sucrl
cessful. & Th9goyernof has the usualpow
ers, including thcyeto. and heprivileges
and duties of his Office do not vary MAJ