The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-08
TEE REcoasrRucTIon coHvENrION
IIGHrIErH DAY.

SATURDAY, March Z, 1868.
Convention met at IL A. n. Judge Taliaferro
presiding. Seventy two delegates present.
resolution requesting the president OF the
convention to forward to the president of the
United States Q copy Of the Constitution when
signed, was adopted. haia-.
Another, ordering that ten thousand copies Of
the Constitution be printed as soon 81 possible,
and equally distributed among the members was
The secretary then commenced the reading Of
the Constitution, as preliminary to It's being
signed by delegates. A committee OF three,
consisting of Messrs. Bertonneau, Pinchbsck,
and McNillen. was appointed to follow the read
ing of the copy from the official journal.
The reading occupied en- hour and u fhs s1s Of
tbs SaHfa8s8Raa hE clause, 90. es With view to
introducing one less stringent.
Mr.. Underwood, of st. James, moved to lay the
motion to repeal on the table. IL was lost by q
Judge Cooley then took the floor, and delivered
an eloquent speech In favor of q less stringent
disfranchisenent clause. "You. In the city,
said he, "are very willing to disiranchise all these
people you have policemen here to protect you.
and keep you safe in your skins--but, In the conu
try it is difierent-we are not willing to ALLEVIATE
the feelings of large part Of the people. The
condition OF Hungary and Poland, and the con.
Ssa r lssS from u Ss
Southern people,"
The previous question was ordered. and the mo-
tion repeal being put 10 the ayes and noes, was
lost by vote of 80 to Al. (Applsuse.)
The secretary then proceeded to call the roll,
each delegate coming forward to sign - his name
was called. Judge Talaferro's name headed the
list Of the signers. Upon the name Of John L.
Barrett being called, Judge Cooley in the absence
offered protest signed BY them, which had been
left in his hands. t-l
Meadows. from Claiborne, moved that ID be re.
turned to the signers.
~ IL r. -
what had been done 10 the secession convention
of 1861.
Upon motion the protest was read BY the
secretary. f
Tinchsnt, Of Orleans, moved its rejection.
Smith, of Orleans, thought man had right 10
vote as be wished. He did not believe In gsggng
down the expression of opinion.
Bertonnean, Of Orleans, favored the acceptance
Meadows, from Claiborne, thought the prot a.
ing delegates should have been here attending to
their business. -
A vote being taken, the protests were received
and allowed to be spread upon the journal. The
When the name of VIM. b. Cooley was called,
be rose andread protest against the Consultation
This protest was signed by himself, and Messrs.
bearing, Harrison and Ferguson.
Judge Crawford, Of Caldwell, refused his sigma
ture when his name was called.
At the conclusion OF the roll call seventy five
names were found to have been affixed, while
seven members in all had protested aud refused !
10 sign.
Mr.. BeIden, Of Orleans, then moved that com.
mit:ee Of three be appointed to walt upon General
Hancock and inform him that the Constitution
was completed and ready to be submitted to the
qualified electors Of the State. Adopted.
The chair named Messrs. Belden, McMillen and
bearing as the committee in question. The two
first declined 70 serve, and the chair stated that
he would appoint others IN their places.
A resolution was then offered and adopted dis
continuing the per diem Of members from this
date.
The convention then adjourned to Monday, the
9th inst.