The Shasta courier. [volume] (Shasta, Calif.) 1852-1872, 1853-03-12

On the proposition of MIR. Hager to print the
amendments, MIR. S, said:
The course pursued by the advocates of the
Convention bill, in opposing every proposition
to consider the other method of remedying any
defects in our Constitution, constrained him to
believe that they were unwilling to allow propo-
sitions for amendment TO be submitted to the
Judgment of the people. They were unwilling
that propositions by the friends of amendment
should be placed in position that would enable
the people to judge of the merits of the amend
nl-nt plan. compared with the Convention
scheme. They denounce every motion of those
who do not approve OF the Convention bill as
captions, and not worthy of consideration They
would refuse to allow the proposition for amend
| ments which he had in good faith submitted, to
be printed tor consideration of Senators who
desired it, This seemed to him desire on the
part of friends of the Convention, who happened
TO be the majority here, lest their ayorite scheme
! should suffer by the comparison. Everything
not bearing the impress and features of their
beautiful banting must be strangled before it is
permitted to see the light. The majority may
expect by this arbitrary course to stiie invcst-
gallon, but they will fail
The motion to print having been lost Mr.
Snyder offered the following:
Resolced, That select committee of six be
appointed TO draft amendments to the Constitu-
| ton, and report TO the Senate Wednesday
next.
This was opposed by Messrs. Keene and
Crabbe.
Mr. S. said he was unwilling to remain in his
seat after the condemnation to politc-. death
and oblivious infamy TO which the opponents OF
the Convention scheme had been consigned by
the Senator from Sau joaquin. Such denuncia-
| tons had no terrors for him, nor did he appre-
bend any Senator this floor would be fright
eued from his propriety by any such terrible
buster Foi his part he was and ever had been
willing to meet fairly and fully any issue that
| may be made here or before the people. He
| never had lodged any question, and he would
now inform the advocates of the Convention
that with full appreciation of his responsibility
to his constituents and the people OF tins State
he would make this issue before them and most
cheertulIy abide the result. He had no political
as prations and if lie had he would have no fears
OF decision of the people against him upon that
issue. What do the Senators propose to accom-
plish by Convention that cannot be more
speedily, economically and safely accomplished
by distinct amendments proposed by the Legis-
lature and submitted to the people ! The Sena-
tor from San Joaquin and some of his friends
think division OF the State very desirable, and
that this can be accomplished by Convention.
Other advocates of Convention say that d.
VlSiou Oh the Dldtc Is uOL ucSiidDiC VI COutCH-
plated by Convcntionists. AS understand the
Constitution Of the United States, new States
within the boundaries of an organized State or
States must be created 10y Legislative enact
ment of the States concerned and the consent OF
Congress. sec. 3, of Art. 4, Of Constitution of
the U. s., says follows:
Z. New States may be admitted by Congress
into this Union; but no new Stale shall be formed
erected ,cifn Tie Jurisdiction of any other State,
lxytl <,f
or more States parts OF States, wi.hoM the
consent Of The Legislatures concerned, scclt Of
Congress-"
With this article of the Constitution of the
United States before them, will Senators pretend
that "a convention can effect anything towards
division of the Stale. The Legislature (and not
a convention,) with the consent OF Congress.
can accomplish division of our State
The friends of the convention scheme are then
down TO the miserable sophistry of urging that
the people could not comprehend ten or fifteen
amendmentsin distinct and separate propositions
but would be abnndantly competent to pass up
| on the merits of an entire constitution brought
forth after six months labor of convention.
at an expense of three or four hundred thousand
dollars. But with no rational object III view.
and with no distinct motion, without lnstruc-
tons and reckless of consequences, we are call
ed upon here and here only, to take the prellmi-
nary steps to IA constitutional convention.
With this view of the state of facts before him.
he was constrained to believe there con-
cealed motives in the extraordinary zeal, that
rendered amably sensitive the friends of the
convention.
At the conclusion of the discussion, earnestly
participated in by Messrs. Keene. Wade, Hubbs,
Crabbe, Lyons, and other Senators. the vote
Mr. Snyder's resolution resulted as follows:
Yeas.-Coffroth, De la Guerra, Foster, Hagar,
Hubbs, Kurtz, Lind, Scott, Lyons, Ralston, Sny-
der. Spragne-12 :
Nays.-Baird, Catlin. Crabb Estell, Grewell,
Hudsieih, Keene. McKibben, Roach, Smith,
Wade, Walkup.-f.. IA
There being tie, 1t. Gov Purly voted yea,
making the vote stand Is for its reference and
IL against it.
The whole matter was then referred to the
special committee with instructions to report on
that day two weeks, which was yesterday We
await the report, with the action of the Lesisla-
tare thereuron. with deep solcitude.