Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-11-19

hat ''neither slavery nor involuntary SER
7i,ude, unless for tho punishment of crimes,
shall ever be tolerated. in this State"
From the Alta Calyornian1ef OeE LIST
THE INVENTION.
This body, upio our latest dates, bad |
been in session little over three week.
Most Of the provisions Of the proposed con-
stilulion had been acted and passed upon 10
com,niilee Of the whole, and that we sup.
pose may be taken rs a fair index of what
will be the action Of the house.
The Bill Of Rights. as adopted in COM
millee of the whole, embraces twenty sec
tions, OF the usual character Of such provis.
ioas. The only poin, upon which j. was
supposed controversy would arise-ihe
question Of slavery-passed without de-
blte, AND UNANIMOUSLY, utterly prohibiting
slavery. Some few were in favor Of SUBJ
mit.ing the ma,lor to the people for sep
arate vote; but it was not coniended for
with any show Of s,renuosity, and was vo-
tel down almost unanimously.
The suffrage question was the source of
considerable debate; but was finally dis
posed Of by admitting all male citizens Of
the United States, six months resident in
California, and wen'y.one years OF age,
(lndians, Africans, and lfse descendants Of
Africans, excepted, to the privilege Of elect
ors.
The Legislature is TO consist ,of two
branches, san assembly and seniae With
such general powers, privileges, and du-
ties as are usually given to such bodies
Banking corporations and loueries are pro-
hibiied and all other corpo, ations, except
for municipal purposes, are to be establish
ed under general laws, the stockholders 10
be Individually liable for all debts. Some
considerable debate occurred upon provis.
ion which allows corporations 10 be formed
for receiving deposits Of gold and silver
1t was urged that, under such a provision,
an irresponsible system Of brnking might
grow up; but the section wns finally SO a.
mended as to answer all objections, and, in
that shape, passed
The members Of the assemb' y are 10 be
elected annually and the metnbers Of the
senate are ttshofd their offices for two years.
One half Of the senate is to be elected each
year. No person can be member Of the
Legislature who has not been resident of
The State one year, in addition to other
qualifications.
The number of members Of assembly is
never 10 be less than twenty -four nor more
than thirtv.six, until the number Of inhabi-
tants in this state shall amount to one hun.
dred thousand, and after that period at such
sh IL, .hrI okos oc <c
assembly shall never be less than thirty
nor more than eighty. The senate is never
TO consist Of less than one.,hrd nor more
than one-half the number Of the assembly.
Some division Of opinion arose on
proposition made by Mr.. McCurver, to
proven, free persons Of color from settling
in California, and also 10 prevent slave
holders from bringing slaves into the state
for the purpose OF lberating them. 1t finally
passed in committee Of The whole; but it
has been looked upon since MS jeopardzing
the ratification Of the constitution by Con.
gress, and as this feeling was gaming
ground, the house probably will strike it
out.
governor, lieutenant governor, secrc-
tary Of state, comptroller, treasurer, nttor.
ney-general, and surveyor-generul, consti
inie the executive department. They are
Ill Is bold their offices for two years.
The governor and lieusenan, governor are
10 be elected by general ballot; the secre-
tary Of state is TO be appointed by the gov
ernor, by and with the advice and consen,
of The senate; the comptroller, and three
other state officers are TO be elected by the
legislature in joint ballot for the first term,
and afterwards by the people at the general
state election. An eff,rt 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,
and 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 oil his
Office do not vary materially from those of
all other states in the Union The other
state officers correspond in duties and pow
ers with those generally ascribed them.
The article relative to the militia as
passed in committee of the whole, is sub
stansialIy such as is found in other state
constitutions, as is that also relative to
amendments.
The boundary, judicial, and educational
questions we're not decided upon at las.
advices, but it was supposed the convention
would adjourn in all the first week in
October.
We learn that Frederick Billings, ESQ
has been appointed by Gov. Riley, Atlor.
ney General for the territory Of Caifor.
MIA. The known ability of Counsellor
Billings, as we'll as his legal requirements,
eminenlly qualify him for the responsible
and important cffice for which he has been
selected. .,,..: .s--
ExfensiYe Eire--Fatal AffraY--The Bank