The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-06-04
MISSOURI STATE CONVENTION.
Special to the Missouri Democrat
Jefferson City, June .

Jefferson City, June 2.
The State Convention met@in Repre-
sentative Hall at noon President Will
son in the chair. There not being quo
rum the President adjourned the Con-
vention till 5 p m, when the Convention
reassembled and proceeded to business,
there being members more than
quorum present. a communication from
the Governor was receivedand read He
reviews the history Of State affairs for the
past year in detail, and proceeds to refer
to the action of the provisional govern
ment in raising and supplying troops, and
expresses the obligations the State is ua-
der 10 the General Government, for the
promptnsss and liberality with which its
wants have been supplied. There have
been issued to disbursing officers 100, 900
dollars in State defense warrants, and q
further amount of So, 900 dollars will have
to be issued; 100000 dollars have been
redeemed by the the receipt for taxes
from Al counties. The depreciation of
this paper the Governor attributes to in
terested parties. bnt gives assurance that
it is better secured than any bank paper
issued in the State, as it is received for
taxes, and in one year will all be redeem
ed. Besides this it has the collateral Sc
curity of Bank stock and the debt will be
assumed by the General Government
The Provisional Government began with
an empty Treasury. The State credit
was gone because the interest on our debt
was not paid. Sheriffs resigned rather
than collect the taxes, and even now only
A. counties have returned tax books for
1861, and out of 64o,22O dollars due
from that source only 1888, 1856 have been
paid in. From 70 counties not heard
from, the amount due is very large, but
officers are finding il more easy to make
collections and altogether the condition
Of things is not worse than when the
present authorities received. coutrol of the
government. The bond holders will hard
" expect the July interest to be paid. but
do not doubt the ability Of the State to
pay ultimately. The appointments to gil
county Offices made vacant by incumbents
refusing to take the oath of allegiance.
have generally been accepted. In most
parts Of the State courts of Justice are
open, and the laws properly administered.
but in others disturbances and crime are
perpetrated under the name Of guerrilla
warfare. Sufficient force is now ready
however to compel the cessation OF such
outlaws. Troops hostile to the people
and institutions of the State have been
supplanted by home volunteers who will
be less Objectionable.
The progress of recurring peace and
prosperity will be due under the provi-
dence OF God to the prudenee asd Wis
dom of the Convention. Much remains
to be done, and nothing must be allowed
to distract the attention and energy Of all
classes of the people from the means
heretofore employed.
The Governor is doubtful as to the
wisdom::of electing members of Congress
IL months before taking their seats, al
questions may come up for consideration
different from those on which they were
elected, but he volunteers no recommen-
dation on the subject.
As the ordinance passed last Eovem.
| Der, ordered an election Of executive OIL
GERS and for the justification of the pro
visionA Government. which was post.
poned till the coming August. he sub.
mits whether it should not be annulled in
view of the fact that 30,00O citizens are
absent from the State-voters who ought
/ to have voice in this matter.
As to the oath of loyalty for tie quail.
6cation Of voting he submits the ques
ton without recommendation, although
he thinks the State ought TO be protected
against the influence Of those who have
been recreant to its interest.
i Resolutions were passed authorizing
the President to appoint committees Of
Congressional Districts, Elections, Elec
tive franchises, Finance, Military, anc
State Constitution. Some members arr
confident that the question Of emancipa
ton will be voted out of consideration
in the Convention. while others ar,
sanguine that the Presidents proposition
| will be discussed and recommended. Al
seem resolved on stringent measure,