The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-12-18
Constitutional Convention.

have in the Chicago papers as we'll as the
Springfield Reg,ster, pretty full report of the
proceedings up to Thursday evening.
1t is known that political parties are so
equally balanced in the convention that it is
still undecided which (if either) party has the
majority. Knowing this, and also that three
democrats were absent at the hour appointed
for meeting of the convention, the republicans
sought, by shabby trick, to gain possession
OF the temporary organization, hoping, doubt
less, to make such use OF it as to secure to that
party, by the unlawful exclusion of democratic
members, a majority, and the permanent Or
ganization and control of the body.
With this view the hall in which the con-
vention was to meet was kept closely locked
until the very minute arrived for the conven-
ton to meet, the key being in the hands of
one Harlow, clerk in the Office of the secre-
tary of state. Then the door was opened, and
the republican members rushed in, and before
halt were seated, Mr.. Church, (rad.) nominated
Mr.. Carey 'rad) for temporary chairman. But
the democrats having wind OF the intended
ruse, were on hand about as soon as the repub-
licGns, and Mr. Church had no sooner made
his nomination, than Mr. J. C. Allen (dem.)
had nominated John Dement, (dem.) for the
same position. Both motions were put stimuli
taneously, and being both voted for by both
parties in stentorian AYE" both were decid-
ed carried, and both chairmen reached the
chair about the same time, cordially bowling
to each other and shaking hands.
This looked to men like Judge Browning,
Col. Turner, s. s. Hays and Judge Skinner like
a piece of tomfoolery beneath the dignity of
such body, and on their earnest appeal the
mob consented to appoint tcllers, and proceed
to the election of u chairman in decent, or.
derby way. This was done, and thereupon
John Dement, was elected by vote of As
to 81.
Then a proposition was made to eject Sec
rotary. Two candidates were nominated
Harmon G. Reynolds conservative rep) and
Geo. H. Harlow (rad.) On calling the roll it
appeared that the Clerk from the Secretary's
office. impudently claiming to act as clerk of
the convention, had prepared roll in which
the name of Mr.. Bryan was put down as the
member from Du Page, instead of Cody, the
regularly elected member. This rascaily in
terpolatlon was corrected, and then the vote
resulted in y tie, each candidate receiving AZ
votes. Then, on motion, both were declared
elected, the one to act as secretary, and the
other as assistant. r
A temporary organization having thus been
effected, Mr.. Church (rad.) moved that the
delegates be sworn in, taking an oath to sup
port the constitution Of the T. S. 'and OF this
state" &c. Mr.. Allen saying he had consci-
entious scruples about taking an oath to sup
port the constitution "of this state" when the
convention had met to pick that constitution
to pieces, moved to omit that part of the oath. |
On this question q debate arose which contin. !
ued the balance Of Monday, and oil day Tues
day and Wednesday The discussion, which |
was in parts of it ingenious and able and
brought out oil the speaking talent of the con-
vention, is chiefly amusing, from the adroit |
concealment throughout on both sides, of the
real bone OF contention Now tho object on
the part of the radicals was, by compelling the |
members to take an oath to support the con-
stitution "of the state" to touch the conscences
of a couple of democratic judges, who have
been elected to the convention, and who are
not by the present constitution allowed to
hold any other "oilice Of emolumcnt or trust"
so that they would refuse to take the oath,
thus leaving the republicans in majority As
it became apparent however, by Wednesday |
evening that this radical dodge must fail, and |
that party began TO be heartily sick of it, they
were quite ready to accept "letting down.
kindly prepared for them by Judge Browning,
in the shape of an amendment ''to support the
Of this state so far as its provis-
ions are compatible with their duties as mem
bers of this convention" &c. In this shape
the "oath' was adopted on Wednesday even
ing, and the convention adjourned to next
day.
On Thursday morning when it was propos.
ed to administer the oath to the members as
agreed upon yesterday, sundry conscientious
RAIDS refused to take it, insisting on the other
form. This gave rise to another long discus
sion, ending in finally administering to each
whichever oath he preferred.
A motion was then entertained to proceed
to the election Of a permanent president The