St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-02-12

tials, reported all correct, except that
none were presented from the 3lst dist.
Report adopted.
Mr.. Winchester offered resolution,
that the officers of the Convention be
a President, Secretary and Assistant
Secretary, Sergeant-at-Arms, door
keeper and two messengers. Carried.
On motion of Mr.. Clarke, of Johnson,
the Convention was permanently Or
gained by the election of the follow
ing officers
Hon. Francis Springer and Hon. S.
c. Hall were put in nomination for the
office of President, and on the vote be-
ing declared, Mr. Springer of Louisa,
had 20 votes Mr.. Hall -; Mr.. Gill
aspie {; and Mr.. Parvin l. So Mr..
Springer was declared elected.
Mr.. Springer was conducted to the
chair by Messrs. Todhunter and Gray
and spoke as follows
return you, gentlemen, the homage
of my thanks for the honor of being
chosen to preside over the delibera-
tons of this Convention. In signifying
to you my appreciation of this distin-
guished testimonial of your confidence
and regard. l must confess that l feel
embarrassed by sense of my inabili-
ty to bring to the chair the experience
and acquaintance with parliamentary
practice, the possession Of which
would be considered necessary to JUS
tify your choice. Under these circum-
stances l shall have to throw myself
upon your kindness, and bespeak your
forbearance and friendly cooperation
in my endeavors to discharge accept
ably the various and sometimes diff
cult duties of a presiding officer
praying you to be assured of the dis
position l cherish to serve you faith
fully and impartially, and of my hearty
readiness to contribute my mite to-
wards a satisfactory performance of
the important work which we have
been sent here to accomplish.
With us "the sovereignty of the
people is conceded axiom" We are
the representatives of that sovereignty,
charged with the duty and clothed with
the power of revising their organic law.
l am sure l need not remind the intel
ligent members of this Convention of
the high responsibility of this trust.
The Constitution of State is design
ed to be to a certain extent fixed
and permanent instruments higher
law for the guidance, not only of in
dividual members of the body polite
but also a law to which the various
departments of governments must, in
their action, conform. 1t is the founda-
ton upon which the superstructure of
the Legislation and jurisprudence of
the State rests. Upon its character
the prosperity and happiness of the
social compact may be said much to
depend. 1t is looked upon as embody-
ing the spirit and policy of people.
1t is in a word, positive law"
That this great trust will be per.
formed by the members of this Con-
vention wisely, and well, entertain
no doubt-meeting the just expecta-
tons Of an enlightened constituency,
and imparting fresh vigor to the adj
vancing steps of our noble young
State in her career to the high destiny
which lies before her.
The Convention then elected as
Secretary, T. j. Saunders Assistant
Secretary, E. n. Bates scrgeant-at-
Arms, Samuel c. Trowbridge +.
Thompson, Door-keeper first Messen-
ger, j. Hawkins and I'd Messenger,
G. Chairman.
Mr. Todhuntcr offered resolution,
that the members of the Convention
take an oath to support the constitu-
ton of the United States and discharge
faithfully their duty in this convention,
which, after debate and sundry amend
ments being rejected, was adopted ;
and the Sergeant-at-Arms directed to
procure a Judicial officer to admins
ter the oath.
The Convention then adopted tempo
rarily the rules Of the Convention of
Iowa, in 1916, with the exception of
the 10th rule, on motion of Mr.. Ed
wards.
The Secretary of State was author
lied to supply the members with a
copy Of the code, with knives, station
cry, etc.
On motion of Mr.. Clark, of Henry, I.
committee of three was appointed, to
report suitable person for reporter
of the Convention, consisting of Messrs.
Clark, Of Henry, Hall and Clarke, of
Johnson-subsequently reported the
name of w. Blair Lord, which report
was adopted, and he was appointed.
On motion of Mr.. Johnson, the reso-
luton by Mr.. Palmer, to furnish the
members with newspapers, was laid
on the table also, the resolution by
Mr.. Clarke, Of johnson, to print copies
of the Constitution of Iowa for the
use of the Convention.
Mr.. johnson called for the report of
the Comittee on the place of meeting.
Mr.. Ellis, Chairman, said the com
mittee were not prepared, and asked
time. He added it was understood,
that the Council of Dubuque or Daven.
port would furnish a room, fuel and
lights, and the general hospitality of
; the city but that the hotels were in
a good condition to accommodate the
members at moderate charges.
On motion of Mr.. Warren, the COM
mittee were instructed to report at
o'clock p. NJ.
Adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 81.
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Kynett.
To,,.nol rooA NJ HILL %oJ