The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-01-15
FROM SPRINGFIELD.
Constitutional Convention.

same as yesterday. They had agreed to divide
the work between the two Offices at Springfield,
giving the Register the debates to print, and the
Journal the reports, Journal &c. The prices
were % cts. per 1000 ems for part of the work
and 20 cts. for part, and the same per token for
press work. The claim of the Journal that it
had made contract with the Secretary of State
to do the printing was proved to be unfounded,
the Secretary denying that he had entered into
any such contract. After lengthy debate, the
report of the committee was unanimously
adopted
The newspaper question, which came up Incl.
dentally with that of printing, was referred back
again.
Jan. S.-Mr Haines, of Lake, offered series
Orleans, which were adopted
A communication from Mr.. Brooks, of the
Quincy Herald, was presented, but the reading
oft was stopped on account Of the ''impropriety"
OF the language.
The newspaper question came up again for
discussion on the report of the committee to
furnish each member with 80 copies each day of
the debates, and 20 daily newspapers After
discussion, the daily papers were stricken out,
and the report thus amended, adopted.
Sundry amendments to the constitution were
proposed and referred, none of which are worthy
of note.
Wondly, Jan. 10-The legislative committee
made areport adverse to Mr.. Snyder's project Of
legislative body Of 800 members, without
senate. Mr.. Snyder made long speech in SUP
por! of his scheme, but it got very few votes.
Half dozen of different amendments were
proposed in reference to railroads, ell manifest
ing purpose to put them under restrictions.
One project was to pat them under control Of 8
commissioners another to stop town and county
subscriptions to railroads; another to arrange a
resolutions were all received with apparent favor,
and appropriately referred.
Amendments lin the form of resolutions) were
also presented and referred to restrict the power
of the legislature in tho matter Of contracting a
state debt; to regulate the pardonng power OF
the governor to enlarge the veto power and
one by Mr.. Bayne, democratic member from
Woodford, to insert passage in the new consti-
tuition to recognize Jesus Christ as King of
kings Nothing was acted upon.
Jan. u.-Among the memorials presented to
the convention was one from 179 South Clark
street, Chicago, relative to wonan's suffrage,
mental chemistry, and kindred matters, ending
with the statement that "eye hath no. seem nor
par he t1nr hat ahn 20 4
Mr.. Dement,, of Lee, made majority report
on the question of suffrage and Mr. Haines
made minority report on the same subject.
The former report gives the right of suffrage to
every white male citizen over 81 years Of age and
OF at least one years residence in the state and
proposes to submit as separate question to the
people, whether the word "white" shall be .trick.
en- out The other report is substantially the
same, except that it also proposes ~ submit the
question of wemen's suffrage to people. Both
reports were made the special order for Feb 10th.
Mr.. Neece, of the township committe, reported
against Mr.. Medilrs project to compel the plant.
ing of trees along the highways The committee
thinks the matter had best be left to the legsla-
ture. Report adopted.
Mr.. Weddings amendment. that no amend
ments to the constitution of the L. S. shall here
after be ratified by the legislature unless approx
ed by vote of the people of the state, csme up,
and was supported by Mr.. W. in an able speech
Mr.. Haiues then moved as q substitute a resolu.
ton to the effect that this convention APP
prove the prompt ratification of the 18th amend
ment by the last legislature. The substitute was
forced to vote and resulted in 50 votes il. favor
to 36 against it-six democrats and four repub-
licans being absent and not voting. Adjourned.
Jan. l2.-The convention spent two hours in
discussing the question whether the prayer each
morning shall be printed with the proceedings,
deciding not to print.
The convention decided by vote of SO to 10
that sit is nexpedient for this convention to re-
scind the ratification of the 18th amendment to
the constitution of the U. S." ...
Mr.. Eldridge, of La Sale offered new art
Gle on the subject of dividing counties and
organizing new counties. AS the sole object of
his election was to get such q clause into the
new constitution as would lead to the division of
this county, our readers may have a curiosity to
see how Mr.. Eldridge proposes to do it. We
therefore append the substance of his proposed
amendment.
SEC. /. No county to be cut down to less than
200 square miles OF townships y no county with
less population than $4,000 to be divided and
no new county to be formed of less than 200
square miles
SEc.2. A majority of the legal voters of the
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