The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-10
THE RIcossTnUCrrox CONVENTION.
r1aHrY-rrRsr DAT.


Convention met at IL A. M.-sixty-four dele
A gesoIution to send copy Of the Constitution
to the president Of the United States, Gen. Grant,
and each member Of Congress. was adopted.
Judge Cooley rose to a question Of privilege.
contending that the convention having discharged
it's duties, ss prescribed by Congress. had no
longer any authority TO remain 10 session.
Messrs. Belden. Mushawsy and Vandegrif were
appointed the committee to wait upon Gen. Han
cock to inform him that the convention had com
f'l. resolution BY Blackburn, repeating the resp
luton which discontinued the per diem OF dele
gsfes was tabled.
Wickine then moved to repeal the ordinance
providing that no candidates for any Office be
eligible as registrars.
finchent moved TO lay tina. motion on the table.
The previous question was then put, and lost by
A revolution that any one becoming candidate
for the Office Of registrar be required to take an
oath that be was candidate fer no other Office.
regisirarship take 8 seat upon the platform, were
adopted. -t -- ~
Mr.. NAPLES expressed fears as to the strength
Of the platform.
The chair, Judge Cooley wished the convention
TO understand that the fact o his presence on
the platform did not constitute him a candidate.
motion was made, that there being no Bible
at hand, Webster's Dictionary be used 10 admins
teIing the prescribed oath. This was subsequently,
withdrawH.
The roll was then called. When Mr.. Ingraham's
name was called, he stated that he considered
the mornings proceedings farce, and worthy Of
the /" Black and Tan burlesque at the Academy
of Music.
r. H. Isabelle. in reply to the call Of his name,
said he did not wish 10 make monkey Of him
SELF" by going upon the platform.
At the conclusion Of the roll call nary /" can
didate for registrarship had mounted the ros-
uum.
Smith, Of Orleans, then moved that it be de-
clared that no delegate in this convention desires
80 be chosen a registrar.
Wieklife thought that any such declaration
would be unjustihable. 1t had been expressly
provided that the seven registrars should be cho
sen from among the delegates.
The committee appointed to wait upon General
Hancock was then ordered 70 proceed at once
upon its mission, taking with 1t copy Of the Con-
stitution for presentation to the commanding
general.
wicklife again moved repeal of the ordinance
precludiDg candidates for sny Office from eligibility
as registrars. The motion TO repeal was carried.
A resolution authorizing the clerical business of
the convention to be completed under the super
visiono Of the presiden. Of the convention, BY two
clerks, al IS per diem, was adopted.
Packard moved to go into an election Of regis
trsrs. ia f.0
McMillen moved the repeal of the ordinance pro-
vidiDg for a board Of registrars.
The chair decided that the latter had prece-
dence.
Harper appealed from the decision.
The decision was put to avote, and was reversed.
Packard then called for vote upon his motion.
II provided that each delegate vote for seven
candidates, and that these seven receiving the
highest number Of votes be declared elected.
smith then moved that the convention adjourn
sine die Lost.
wsples then moved that when the convention
adjooTn to day it shall adjourn sine die. Tabled.
Packard's resolution TO proceed TO an election
OF seven registrars, was then adopted by vote of
Al 10 Z.
Bertonnesn Smith and Depassesu were sp-
pointed tellers.
Twenty-one candidates were voted for. The
result was the election of Packard, Wicklfs,
1ngraham, Underwood. Blackburn, Hampstead
and Harris, as registrars.
A resolution by Blackburn, of Claiborne, con-
ferring. further power upon the committee of
seven, by allowing them to adjust accounts for
official printing, was so amended, by McMIllea,
as TO confer that power upon the president of the
convention and then adopted.
The special committee, appointed TO wait upon
Gen. Hancock, reported that they had called
upon the general, and that that officer had ex-
pressed doubt whether the Reconstruction laws
provided for an election OF State, parish and mu
nicipal officers, at the same time with the vote
for or against the Constitution. He had how
ever, signfed his intention of ordering an cleo
ton upon the Constitution at once, and would
telegraph TO Washington for instructions regard
report was received and the committee dis
charged.
A resolution. that the convention, when it ad-
journ, may be re-convened If necessary by a
call OF ajority Of delegates, and that upon the
adoption Of the Constitution II shall be considered
as adjourned sine die. was adopted.
Judge Taiaierro theH said: f Members OF the
constitutional convention, We have now reached
tie termination Of our lebers. and have formed a
Constitution. That Constitution | believe is
generally of character in conformity with the
Reconstruction laws Of Congress. The most i'm
portsnt thing which we now have to do, is to see
that this Constitution is not defeated; to see that
II lie ratified, and that the State is brought back
IN the Union at early day as it is possible for
IL 10 be done. All the great interests Of the State
are now suffering on account OF the anomalous
position which the State now occupies. ALI other
election matters are of secondary interest COM
pared with the ratification Of the Constitution.
(Appause.) We must bear in mind that this
ratification is now the principal question before
the people,"
The president concluded bis remarks by thank.
ing the delegates for their courtesy, and by an
expression of his personal friendship and we'll
wishes for future welfare.
The Rev. josiah Fiske then offered prayer, at
the conclusion Of which motion to adjourn sine
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