The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-19


cation II would afford the Convention and people OF
FLORIDA to have their speedy release
TALLAHASSEE Nov. /. 1855
Most OF the morning hour consumed TO day in the
consideration in a committee Of the whole Of an ord
the judicial department.
Mr.. Walker moved the appointment Of q select COM
mittee, In accordance with the following resolution
Resolved That the following propositions contained in
the Provisional Governors message DO referred to
special committee TO consider and report upon the
prcty Of their being adopted by this Convention either
in the form Of ordinance Inserted in the constu
item and in what part Of the constitution they ought TO
Slavery having been destroyed In this State neither
slavery nor involuntary Servtude, except As punish
ment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted shall hereafter exist in this State and all In
habants Of this State without distinction Of color are
free.
No law discriminating between the inhabitants Of
this State account Of color in any manner affecting
their freedom or their rights Of or property shall
be valid or BE- passed by the Legislature
8. No person shall be Incompetent to testify wit
meas on account Of COLOR nor any matter a0oong his
freedom or his rights Of person property shall DO
valid or be passed by tho Legislature.
Agreed TO-
ORGANIZING THE MILITIA
Mr.. Niblaok moved that the Committee on Militia be
requested 70 report ordinance authorizing the Pro.
visonal Governor organize the militia OF tho State for
tho purpose Of keeping up proper police regulations until
the civil government OF the state b fully restored
Which was agreed TO-
THE REPUTATION QUESTION
An ordinance introduced by Mr.. Coulter 70 annul all
liabilities Of the State OF Florida incurred between tho
10th day OF January 1851 and the 9th day Of October
1865, camc up in Its regular order.
motion was made to postpone the consideration OF
the ordinance until the committee TO whom referred
the ordinance submitted by Mr. Livingston, which pro-
vdes for PAYING ten per cont upon the debt Of the State
could have time to report
Mr. Coulter did not sec why certain delegates
anxious to postpone the Consideration Of this matter
n one Of 1nO I'M
that would come before the Convention As for hims r.
he was anxious TO have action taken upon 1t at
The debt WAS contracted for illegitimato object TO
enable jeff Davis Co. TO carry the against the
government Of the United States aud he for in
the present and future generations burden Of debt
which they could not and ought not to pay He should
vote against 1t and for all time TO come The
ton to postpone prevailed.
TAIIAHAssEx, Fla, Nov 2, 1895.
At the opening OF the Convention this morning Mr. E.
D. Tracy the President presented to the Convention
communication from Ex-Governor Brown, explaining,
according to his convictions the duty of the delegates
upon the important questions before them and the i'm
portance Of speedy action in conformity TO the known
wishes Of tho United States government.
Considerable feeling manifested by some Of the
members upon its reading and speeches made by
Messrs Long and Spencer denouncing the communica-
ton uncalled for and insulting to the intelligence of
the Convention They had there to perform GER
tain things in accordance with the wishes Of their
stutents and wished for advice from outside parties
They moved the communication be laid the table in
definitely.
Judge Daltzell who is probably the most able and in
frontal member of the Convention made very sensi-
BILE eloquent and speech against the proposed
spositon Of the communication paid high tribute
TO Governor Brown.
The Convention decided to receive the communication
and place IL on file.
Governor Brown is now an old man, and has retired
from active public e but takes great Interest in the f
tuzc wei are OF the State Az his address contains
good and wholesome advice send 1t In full
TX -GovERSoR BROWNS LATTER TIE coSvTNTIoN
To TIE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS THE CONVENTION
FLORIDA
beg leave respectfully to submit the following views
for your consideration You have been elected by the
people for the purpose of framing constitution which
will enable Florida TO be received back into the Union
sovereign State with Little delay practicable This
Is the all absorbing question, and no obstacles should DO
allow d 10 Interfere which would have tendency to i'm
Ion under The Government Of martial law must be
to all true patriots and statesmen and rem
ders hor immediate admission paramount 70 all other
caIsc her restoration TO her former
position in tho Union restores her honor and State dig
niiy The only question which seems TO present din
Guilty Of solution is usoe provision for the protcc
ton Of the cman ripa,od slaves. And it seems TO me
that on proper consideration that will not present any
imposing obstacle
confedora6y 4 fact which be questioned, and
thai DO restored again but the most Gre
dulous for moment suppose Then let us come up
rmiy and manuy and meet the question as candid ana
honest men. Declare in the consttut on that slavery
has ceased TO exist tho state OF Flor d. and
exist again except for crimes whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted that they free citi
and entitled to all the rights and protection OF law
which enjoyed by the white citizens of the State and
that the Legislature thereof shall pass no law impairing
til ir equal rights. making any distinction account
color ia the free and enjoyment OF them IL
does follow that the acknowledgment OF their free
rights of protection under the laws Of the State
ccdcs TO them any privilege to participate In the making
Of tho laws.
The right of suffrage has always boon limited in all
constitutional governments n well ns tho right to hold
Office and the duty Of serving on juries and sound
State policy dictates that these rights duties and priv
eges should not be granted 10 emancpaed slaves under
present circumstances.
The right Of protection OF person and property BY tho
laws OF the State TO the coored implies their right
testify in the courts In which they concerned
against the white race and can conceive no great evil
would grow out OF the presumption that the black
mans moral OF the obligation Of oath Is not
strong that Of the white man
The court and jury would weigh well the testimony,
and give only the weight to which might appear To be
entitled And the Witness IL convicted Of perjury would
not only be subject all its pains and penalties but
would ait be deprived OF the privilege OF testify
ing The very great importance TO the people of Florida
that the constitution which about to make should
be formed as TO leave doubt Of her speedy adms
sion her political privileges in the Union must be my
apology for making these crude and hasty suggestions
for your consideration and reflection.
WHcn inc SPARSE pOpuatlOh OIL tnt Sthtc anu uef
trcne seaboard taken into consideration the import
ancc OF our immediate and certain admission under tho
protection Of tho government OF the United states be-
comes vital and the opportunity now presented to
should not DO lost rskcd Without such protection
Florida would become den Of piratica bands and
lawless marauders
The constitution should be formed and moulded In
such spirit that able and pstriotic Provisional
Governor could give It his cordial approval and recon-
mendatisn. THOMAS BROWN.
pncUssroS on THE R&ruDzATioU ORDINANCE
Tho ordinance 10 amend all liabilities Of the State IN
CURED between the 10th day Of June 1884, and the 27
day OF October 1865 came up again today and tho fol-
lowing substitute was offered by Mr. Magbce,-
Be II ordained, &C. That At tho first election for 60
vernon Of the State Of Florida the States liability TO pay
the State Treasury notes issued from the commencement
OF the rebellion TO the tmo OF the surrender Of Cone
rails Lee and Johnsons armies shall BIO submitted 10 the
pcopc OF Florida the time Of citing Ut said
election each ecctor shall endorse his ballot the word
"Pay" or "No pay" and the result OF said election
shall DO returned In tho that prescribed
by law for the returns Of election for Governor and