The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-13


Filth Days Proccedings-The Proposed
Amendment OF the First Article OF the
Constitution Defeated-The Duties OF
Committces--Interest Discussion
The Digest OF the Canons Agreed Upon
The Discussion of the Proposed Amends
ment of tho Third Article, &C., Sc.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALD.
RICHMOND, Va. Oct 10, 1859
The Convention met this morning the usual hour half
past nine O'Clock
The regular morning service read by the Rev. Dr.
Creighton, of New York. and the Rev. DR.. Wyatt, Of
Maryland.
The minutes of Saturdays proceedings read and
approved
Reports from standing committees then called for
when
DR.. MEAD, from the Committee on Canons, submitted
report the resolution offered few days ago by Dr.
Thra Of California in reference to the permanent loca
ton Of the General Conventions Philadelphia declaring
tnexpeden to amend article of the constitution, which
provides for the holding of the Conventions at different
points designated by the body ITSELF and asking to
be discharged from the further consideration Of the
subject
The report was adopted
Dr. HILL, of Cal, asked whether it the practice
the house. upon the presentation of report of the mega
tive character presented and the discharge of the
committee from the further consideration of the subject
to regard discharge endorsement of such mega
tive action by the committeeg
DELEGATE FROM KENTUCKY, said he knew reports
OF similar character to be called up after they al
lowed to lay time the table and reversed. He
had distinct recollection of such action being had in
ference to reports from the Committee on Canons
Dr. yISToN, of Pa, said that this question involved
principle as to what the duty Of committees If this
report was to pass of Sb Silio and nothing is done
with IT, then the house, according experience is at
liberty to call it up as any and it, such be
its Sn
DR. STEVENS of Pa said, according to his understand
ing when a matter referred 10 a committee it was re-
ferred merely for the purpose of getting the deliberate
opinion OF the members Of that committee, who sup
posd be especially acquainted with the subject and
Aen they report they simply give their opinions When
e ask to be discharged from its further consideration
anng OF that request does not necessarily imply dis
charge the house from its consideration but only dis
harce Of thc committee. He, therefore, maintained that
a. .F later could come up upon the call OF any
=. understanding that the committee may be dscharg
~,;r ~ .-fther consideration.
RI s'@.ca Of Va said that it seemed to him the COM
r. ,.c.y discharged their duty; and when their report
5gors-.ed the proper course to pursue was to allow
.ars-aar the table, and take il up afterwards
o NJ -nnushed business. Then the question would
r. [.a.s. with the committee in their
RI -ia' Tould bring the whole question before the
.~sursSsaur' discuss the question and reverse
<<r ~ >~ committee by adopting the motion to
tn @se~~-.', if the report adopted, that the
~ adopted would be reconsidered and
,>.~a.sg-ssss;r-. - lie on the table,
~S1y-ea.-. G., said he agreed with the reve-
~~-:1Sas::. .som Pennsylvania Or. Stevens) that
--as.sa &c l.,.nargng the committee from the further
<>..son 70 ..,em matter does not necessarily take it
- cc-suvraiion of the house Gentlemen who
a;anihar with parliamentary action would agree with
athc was the practice and the rule for the purpose
simplifying the proceedings Of PUBLIC bodies, to take
,o s question ha Immediately m as to wn nm 10 the
consideration OF the subject, IN order that the
matter, being once before the house, it would
not again be taken That the practice according
ms experience, in parliamentary rules There
necessity for laying the matter asde but when that
done competent for any member of the house
call up and ask that the committee be discharged,
meanwhile reserving the consideration of the subject
upon its merits to more convenient time.
Mr.. TAzEwEL TAYLOR said the practice in the Legisla
ture Of Virginia to discharge committee if such
the sense Of the body and then TO call up the question
and discuss fully.
Mr. CHAMBERS said that when the house listened to the
reading OF the report they would find that the
the debate had been laid upon the wrong point 1t
the effect Of the discharge Of the committee that the
house much regarded. They regarded the discharge
of the committee necessary consequence of the
port Suggestion was made by member DIR. ThralD
that article Of the constitution should be altered That
suggestion was referred to committee which com
mttee should present the results of its de-
hberaoDs 10 this house They have done They
have digested this matter, and heve come to
change the article of the constitution referred them
That is the report which the committee has made Well,
if that report agreeable the house. IT is compe-
tent for member to take the Of the upon
it, It is probable that the gentleman (Dr. ThralD who
offered the resolution which went to the committee and
formed the basis of this report will take occasion
the feeling of the house with reference simply
proposition whether the sessions Of the General Conyen
ton for the future shall be permanently located by the
constitution at particular place, whether they shall
be migratory. majority OF the committee having the
subject under consideration decided that expe-
dent at this time, whatever may be done in the future
to designate place which the future sessions Of the
General Convention should be held Now that report
is adopted this question disposed OF for the remainder
OF this session. 1t Is parliamentary usage that ques
ton decided is at rest for that session Why, the
discharge of committee Is necessary sequence Of
subject being disposed Of the discharge of the commit
tee, therefore, is the result Of the report. If they
come in and report in part, then of course they
continue their jurisdiction to make future report:
but here is latfooted expression Of the sense
of the committee that 1t is nexpedient change the con
stution in this regard Well that is the of the
house and they have said by adopting the report they
discharged from the further consideration OF the mat
ter and any gentleman upon this floor preeuded from
bringing the subject again beoEe the house during this
session.
the report adopted.
Mr.. JAMES POTTER, of Ca, said that according to his
understanding Of the in which committees report
there were two means by which they did is that
is inexpedient to legislae upon the subject
may recommend that the subject report be adopted
Then the taken upon the adoption Of
the report and that brings up the whole subject But
this committee makes recommendation but merely ex
press their opinion and ask simply thai they be discharged
from the further consideration Of the subject He there
fore conended respectfully that the discharge of this
committee had nothing all to do with the matter at
ISSUE in reference the proposed amendment of the
constitution. When the committee is discharged from
the further consideration of the resolution referred TO
them the report lies upon the table TO up in regular
orde~.
Dr. GUros, of La, said that rule upon the subject.
lie would read the sixteenth rule, which is follows
The reports of all shall be in writing and shall be received
course and without notice for acceptance unless
eo by vote OF the House All reports recommending
Ing any action expression opinion the House shall be
accompanied bya resolution for the thereon
Mr. WISASs, of CAL said this matter should undoubted-
~ be reconsdered 1t important that the House should
nave an opportunity OF investigating the matter fully and
IN oraer 70 DO So we should accept the report ana this
acceptance does not necessarily involve adoption The
question OF us adoption would come up afterwards II was
important that the matter should before the House
10 ascertain II there were not considerations be present
ed there IN favor Of the proposition which were no, pre
scented in committee He therefore hoped that the matter
would be reconsidered, the question Of dcermnino
place for permanently holding the Of the Copyep
ton too mpOrtant 10 be nrnr l..hA