The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1862-02-13
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
A Serious Charge.
THE CONVENTION WILL SHOW 1T
SPECIAL Dispatch to the Chicago journal.

NpeCijI DI'patCH 10 'Ht thlcaeo JoufhsI'
SPRlSGrlELD, H., Feb II.
Mr.. Thornton Of Shelby, rose TO aquestlon
Of privilege. lie read paragraph from the
correspondence Of the Chicago 1ridunes
sprecial reporter, Joe Forrest, and also nm
editorial from the same paper, and comment
ed with dignity and fairness On the proprety
of making an investigation into the charges
of disloyalty Of delegates Of this convention,
and read the following preamble and resoiu.
ton.
Whereas, In letter to the Chicago 1ri-
d,ulc, from its special reporter, published in
the TyiJu,c Of the | It'll inst, 1t is stated that
it is rumored that nearly majority of the
members Of this convention are X ghts OF the
Golden Circle, and in an editorial that one
delegate ot the convention has had treason.
able correspondence with the rebels against
this government; therefore
Resolred, That Messrs. Ross, Fulton, Orme,
Of Mclean. Terry, Of ermiilion, and Burr,
/ Of Scott, be appointed a committee to In
vcstigatc said charges, and report upon tbs
facts to the convention. and that said com
mittce have power to send for persons and
papers.
On motion Of Mr.. Burkmaster, Mr. Thorn
ton was added to the committee, and made
chairman.
Mr., Wentworth defended Mr.. Forrest, thu
7rih,Ope reporter The reporter, in his opin
ION would state nothing he did not believe Il
be trnc. He had been imposed on. An at
tempt had been made to vlIlity and abuse and
degrade and misrepresent the convention and
its acts, prompted, he believed, dictated and
paid for by those men in Office who were
! afraid Of being turned out.
Mr.. Ficklin moved that Mr.. Peasants. If
! Rock Island be added TO the committee,
80 that the TriL'r,e and its reporter could
have a majority of its friends on the investI.
cation.
Mr.. Underwood would widen the purvcw
Of the resolution. He would embrace thost
democratic papers which had classed him Al
aholitonist.
Mr. Wegley, (republican,) of Joe Daviess
was afraid too much attention was beng palC
to newspapers and newspaper reporters. lit
cared nothing for them. lie had not opened
or seen the TribuHc since he had been i'll thu
convention. He knew it would lie, and there
fore was not surprised at this villitication.-
There seemed to be combination of tn
whole press Of Illinois 10 lie down this con
vention. He was for the resolution in il
length and breadth.
Mr. Hacker said he understood that an at
tempt had been made to name those delegate
who were knights of the Golden Circle. Iii
name was on the list He was therefore to
Il tuIl, free and searching investigation. il
believed he was as loyal AS any man, and hi
believed the investigation would show his ant
the loyalty Of every member. lie had a
much respect for seccssionist as for I
horse.thief, and as much respect for the pol
itica opinions OF an abolitiunist as tor Il seces
sionist.
Mr. Allen, Of williamson was for the in
vestlgaton. The reporter, no doubt, ha(
been deceived, and desired as much as an,
one that the facts should come to light. HI
had been charged with dsloyalty, and st, too
had a majority Of the 10000 southern llllno
isans who were now upholdng the flag OF tn
country on the soil of Kentucky and Tennes
see. 1t was time that these charges wer
proved, if true and if false, that the calum
inators be shown up to the world in their base
ness and cowardce.
Mr. Buckmuster moved the previous ques
ton, but withdrew It to allow Mr. Wentworth
to offer the following amendment
also, whether any individual has aske
or received any pay for his pretended inhu
ence over members Of this convention, touch
ing the retention Of certain incumbents i
Office
The resolution was then unanimous
adopted.
; Mr.. McNeely sent up resolution for in
formation, declaring it to be the sense Of thi
convention that if there are dlsloyal men o
sympathizing friends Of the rebels or the rebe
cause, they be expelled.
The convention then took up Mr.. Hacker
ordinance act. and Mr.. Joslyn, of Kane, oc
cupied the floor, and defined the relative posi-
tons of the abolition and the republican PAL
ties.
LArER-Hacker's ordinance has just BEEF
passed under the pressure of the preVlou
question. Ayes AZ, nays "a.