Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-10-17
AErERNnnN SESSION

The Convention proceeded the consideration of the
resolution, pending at the last adjournment
Mr.. Borden of Allen then opposed the proposition
offered 10y Mr.. Reed of Monroe. He thought the
Convention itself in committee of the whole, should
parcel the different parts OF the Constitution
mittecs. He thought that by this course, every men,
ber would have an opportunity to advocate the different
reforms he in favor Of He was opposed to the re-
erng to a committee without discussion in committee
of the whole because the whole ground would have
be gone again after report. BY discussion in
committee of the whole, the Convention would be
prepared refer all the parts of the Constitution ad
yiSedly He would then advocate the appointment OF
numer of committees sufficient to enable every member
participate in the deliberations of committee.
His proposition plated some sixteen
committees.
Mr. Smith of Ripley favored committee of the
whole where full and free discussion should take place.
He thought much time might be saved by this course.
He opposed to numerous committees. The fewer,
in is opinion, the better. In discussion in committee
of the WHOLE the Constitution might be taken up, and
many parts of il might be disposed Of without any ref
erence to committee He believed the bill OF rights.
in Constitution could not be altered for tie beser
SO with portions of the Constitution In commit
tee of the whole it could be ascertaned what portions
OF the Constitution should be retained These should
not lie referred at all He opposed TO following in
the wake of the New York any other Convention
He was satisfied but what this body would be better
off, If the proceedings OF other bodies not before
1t is certainly needless refer all the clauses OF
Constitution to committees because other bodies
have taken that course.
Mr. Edmonson of the opinion that gentlemen were
getting along too fast with their propositions He
thought the Convention should wait until committees
were appointed. He would move lay the whole mat
ter the table, if no gentleman wished to make
further remarks.
Mr. Kelso was in favor of laying the resolutions on
The table; because said he, whoever thought of refer
ring matter a committee before there commit
tee? He would not however, move to lay them upon
the table, because he wished, all questions, to have
full and free discussion.
Mr. Reed of Monroe now withdrew his amendment
the amendment, and offered substitute in the follow
ing words:
.sThat committee of - be appointed report
plan for the business of the Convention, and to designate
the number and functions of the different committees
Mr.. Borden withdrew his amendment to Mr.
Pettit's resolution.
Mr. Reed of Monroe then moved to strike out Mr.
Pets resolution from the resolving clause, and insert
his amendment Just offered a substitute.
Mr.. Petit said his proposition was simple in its de
tails. The principle by which he was governed was de
rived from present Constuton-the government DO
ing there divided into three departments, provided
for in his rcsolution-the Executive Legislative, anC
Judicial He would remark, that his resolution did not
prevent the formation of other committees Investigate
any special matter He would cheerlulIy aid any gen
tleman to investigate any subject by giving him com
mittee for that purpose He opposed the long string
committees proposed by the gentleman from Allen,
productive of nothing beneficial. The reference to
committee of the whole would be productive of good
without committees being previously provided He ha'
provided for three committees in his resolution, as h
thought, naturally growing out of the nature OF ou
government Under his plan, three committees woul'
be constituted, and subjects coming within the view
OF each might be respectively referred. He was To-
placing all subjects before the committees advisedy
For instance, the subject Of biennial sessions wou
have its legitimate committee. The reports OF th
committees could be referred to a committee of tn
whole for full discussion and if approved would onc
form part of the Constitution. There was anothe
proposition going another extreme, nothing more no
less than the appointment Of but committee. Thi
he thought inexpedient. The merit claimed for thi
proposition was that there would be uniformity.
He thought that three committees might tn
great outlines but nineteen committees would be
than any of the old fashioned railroads of Indiana.
Mr. Owen said he favored the proposition Of th
gentleman from Monroe, (Mr. Reed) startin
point and the gentlcmans Speech last up, had convr
prepared say whether there should be either three
nineteen committees. 1t would be the province of tn
committee proposed by the gentleman from Monroe
investigate the subject and determine the matter
Mr. Edmonson proposed to fill the blank in the con
mitee proposed by Mr.. Reed, with one from each Cor
gressional District.
Mr. Borden opposed the appointment Of a single con
mtee. He thought every member OF the Conventio
should participate far possible and should have t
into the Constitution II objected that there mgi
be want Of harmony in language This could be e'
silly obviated by reference to committee of correction
after the work shall have been, great extent
pIislied.
Mr.. Rariden said. it not necessary consequent
that the three committees proposed by the gentlema
from Tppecanoe should make alterations amendmen
10 the Constitution For, he that constitute
as this Convention was the amendments to the Const
ton would be made this floor. These committee
as he understood their duties, would act as kind