Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-10-17
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
REPORTED roR THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL.
TuEspAY. October 8, 1850

took hls seat.
Mr. Borden offered resolution providing that Rob-
ert M Evans, Herman G. Barkwe and George l.. Sites
be and they hereby appointed Assistant Secretaries
Mr. Robinson OF Decatur, moved to amend, so that
there shall be but Assistant Secretary and that the
Convention proceed the election of that officer
Mr. Borden gave detailed statement of the duties of
the Secretaries such for instances under the act OF
the Legislature, the making OF record OF all the pro-
eeedngs, to be deposited in the Office of the Secretary
of State. This he conceived would give employment
at least one Secretary He did deny that too many
clerks had sometimes been employed by legislative bo
dies but this body should have Secretaries enough do
Its business In turning the proceedings of the Con-
yentIon, that formed the present Constitution OF In
diana, he found that William Hendricks elected Sec
retary but the second day of the session he found
that two additional Secretaries allowed The pro-
vision for transcript of the proceedings, to be depos
tied in the office Of the Secretary of State he thought
good one. They would there be deposited for all time
to eome and would be valuable for reference in future
years
Mr. Robinson thought that two Secretaries would be
sufficient. The business of this Convention would be
less than that of either branch of the Legislature.
Mr. Borden cited the State of New York and other
States show the number of Secretaries that had been
employed by Conventions similar to this.
Mr. Steele was not prepared to say how many secre-
tarles would be required. He would therefore an
amenimen that additional Secretaries be appointed
necessary.
Mr. Miller Of Gibson, moved that the amendments be
laid on the table; which motion prevalled-ayes 100,
navs Al
Mr. Stevenson moved to amend so that the Convention
proceed elect Assistant Secretaries.
Mr.. Stevenson said, the method Oi appointing, the
resolution one unknown in legislative bodies Now,
If the resolution contemplated appointing Secretary
a time, he could objection the mode of APP
pointment but some members might be in favor of
of the persons designated and opposed another He
had no opposition to any of the gentlemen 1t was
the principle contained in the resolution that he op-
posed The practice would be like embodying too
many features a sineebll. He thought two assist
ants would be amply sufficient He wished to be iber
al in the matter.
Mr. Dobson moved to amend the amendment so that
DrOceed TO of AsSl
Secretaries, Sergeant Arms and Door-keeper.
Mr.. Dobson thought that three Secretaries should be
elected The first Convention had secretaries, and
he thought that three would be necessary and would
not be considered unreasonable but accommodate the
gentleman from Putnam (Mr. Stevenson,) he would
leave the number blank, to be filed by vote Of the
Mr.. Kelso moved to fill the blank up with ''three sec-
rctaries."
Mr. Clark proposed ''two."
Mr. Foster said that economy had been preached from
the stump by many Delegates. He felt like proving by
his acts that he friend of economy He had
perence gone by in the duties of Secretary,
and he believed that Assistants would be sufficient
Mr. Borden proceeded show the duties of the Secrc-
tarics and why it that four Secretaries would be
necessary The business should be done correctly He
in favor of eecting all officers by uirG
Mr. Nave favor of the Convention electing at
sufficient number OF officers, without making
necessary, hereaer Tor the Secretaries themselves to
appoint assistants; which known TO be the case IN
State Legislature.
MIR. Clark said be apologize to the gentleman
from Allen Mr.. Borden) for making the motion to re-
duce the number Of Secretaries. He willing
in the ect Of those who had decided three Secre
ares out Of this body but not having heard the argu
ments that had heen advanced, he had to discharge
duty his constituents by fixing a number he thought
sufficient He thought that a should be taken here
on the officers, although the final decision might have
been made elsewhere
Mr. Edmonson favored the election of three
ries the number best calculated advance the bus
ness OF the Convention.
Mr.. Miller of Gibson moved the previous question ;
which was not sustained.
The blank then filed with three Assistant Sec-
retaries.
Dir. Watts moved 10 amend the resolution by adding
that Samuel ]. Johnson Of Dearborn county be appoint
ed Door-Keeper; not adopted.
The amendment of Mr.. Stevenson. as amended pro
vding for eectng three Assistant Secretaries, Ser
eeantat- Arms and Door Keeper, adoped-and the
resolution. thus amended was adopted.
The Convention then proceeded to elect the Assistant
Secretaries separately by rira vote
On the first
D. NJ Evans received. ...-......136 votes.
J. B. Ray received. votes.
Blank 8 votes
Capt. r.. NJ Evans was declared duly elected was
into Office, and entered upon the discharge Of his
duties.
On the second vote
BaTkwel received. yed.-......-.-..: 122 votes
Stalard received. d...................-:. votes.
BLANK. votes.
Laverty received d--.-.-..-.-..--...-.. vote.
Harmon G. BarkweIl was declared duly elected was
into Office, and entered upon the discharge OF
his duties.
On the third
George L. Sites received. 11S votes.
Blank II votes.
George L. Sites was declared duly elected was sworn
Office and entered upon the discharge OF his duties
Mr. Read of Clark moved that Capt. Samuel McKen-
ze be appointed Sergeant Arms for this Convention
which motion prevailed; also,
That Samuel ]. Johnson be appointed Door Keeper;
which motion prevailed.
Messrs Mckenzie and johnson were sworninto office
and entered upon the discharge of their respective du
Mr. Petit introduced resolution that desks be pro-
vded for the Stenographers OF such dimensions they
may deem proper; which adopted.
Mr.. Read OF Clark moved that committee be ap-
pointed wait the reverend Clergy of this city, and
request them to make such arrangements they may
deem necessary for the purpose OF opening each days
session with solemn prayer should they be willing at
tend for that purpose; which motion prevailed
Mr.. Petit offered the following resolution:
RssoIred, That three committees on the outlines o
the Constitution shall be appointed by the President tc
wit
One on the Legislative Department Of the Govern
ment whose duty it shall be to consider all matters
which may be referred it, and prepare and report pro
visions relative to that Department.
One on the Executive Department OF the Government
whose duty it shall be consider all matters which
be referred it. and prepare and report provisions rea
tive to that Department.
One on the Judicial Department Of the Government
whose duty shall be to consider all matters which MAJ
be referred and prepare and report provisions
lativc 70 that Department
Mr.. Borden moved to strike the resolution from
the resolving clause, and insert the following:
THAT a Standing Committee be appointed 10 consd
and report each Of the following classes OF sub
ecs and that the several parts OF the existing Const
tuition which relate those subjects respectively, b
also referred to said committee.
/. The rights and privileges of the citizens and 10
halitants Of this State.
he ant team