The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-02-23
Constitutional Convention,
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY IN NEW
YORK ClTY--ERIE TROUBLES,
WASHINGTON.
LETTER URGING THE ADMISSION
OF MISSISSIPPI INTO THE
UNION--CUBAN AFFAIRS.

viding, IN commemoration of the birthday
OF Washington, that the Convention ad
IJourn to meet at two O'Clock, to hear Wash
Ington's Fare Address. substitute
offered by Mr.. Perly was lost, and the reso
luton postponed until two o'clock.
A 1890 the Convention went into Com
mittee of thee " hole on the Executive report
with Mr.. Wells in the chair, the question
being the consideration of the 10th section
of said report.
Mr., Anthony offered as q substitute, tn.
sth article of the present Constitution, which
provides that the Governor shall hav,
power to grant reprieves, pardons and com
mutations after conviction for all offence,
except treason, subject to such restriction
as he may think proper, under such regula
tions as provided by law relative to the man
ner of applying for psrdons.
Mr.. j. c. Haines, believing it was tn,
small criminals who were punished, and DO
the great, favored the substitute offered
MIR Haines, of Lake, said our criminals
are made so by the anti Christian spirit o
the age. We shall some day find it is better
| to prevent than to punish crime.
Mr.. Wheaton had never known an limo
cent man TO be convicted of crime, but be
had known many guilty persons to escape
Mr.. Bromwell said the legislative Depart
ment must apply the remedy to this matter
1t is their province, and they should pre-
scribe the remedy by which criminals shoulc
receive pardon.
M. Snyder said sso many cases of careles.
psrdoning had occurred. There are two
objections 10 this section, for it will MOI
prevent one jot or title of the imposition
practiced on the people By the abuse of the
| pardonlng power.
! Mr. English said the substitute restricted
the psrdoning power beyond what he deemed
right and proper. lie therefore offered au
amend ment TO the original section.
| Mr.. English amendment makes the sec
tlon as follows:
The Governor shall have power to grant
reprieves, combinations and pardon after
conviction for all otfenses under such regu-
lations as may be provided by Law relative
to the manner of applying for reprieves
| c0nmutations or pardons.
Mr. Anthony thought the amendment
good, and if the substitute WAS not adopted
he favored it.
Mr. Underwood knew many abuses had
arisen from the indiscriminate use of the
pardoning power. He had seen too many
abuses of this power. The Legislature is
the proper tribunal to regulate this matter
as may be deemed best.
Mr.. Medill thought the section, as origi
nally offered, was exactly what was needed
Too much limit is given the Executive un
der the present Constitution. and this matter
is fully provided for in the report.
Mr. Goodhue said the section, as repo, led
me. his views on the subject
Mr.. Rice could not see how the section
could be improved. 1t is right to hold ont a
motive to condemned men, that they may
lead new life.
Mr.. Cody thought the amendment was a
good one, and satisfactory TO all members,
and hoped it would be adopted.
Mr. Church said he had BY no means con.
strued the action of this committee as g re
tlection on the Governor. Many cases had
occurred in which abuses had been made,
but he thought it had not been intentiona!
wrong in the Executive.
Mr. Atkins said he did not wish to see
the power of the Governor in granting par
dons cut down as this section would do.
That power would be held in obeyance until
after the meeting of the Legislature.
Mr.. Hay considered this point good one,
and well taken.
The question recurring on the substitute
| of Mr.. J. C. Hsines, it was lost, and the
amendment of Mr. English was adopted by
! 26 ayes to % nays, and the section as thus
amended was adopted with sections Il, IL
and 10.
| On section twenty Mr.. Bayne proposed
! an amendment restricting the veto power
which was lost, and the section adopted witt
the Odd. 24th, 18th, Goth, 9th and 3Sth.
At one o'clock the committee rose and
the convention Adjourned.
New YokK, Feb. % Yesterday the an
niversary of the naal of Washington wa,
observed in this city as a legal holiday. The
banks and courts we're closed, and business
geaerallv suspended The ll,h regimen
paraded as did also the remaining veterans
of 1912. Washington's farewell address
was read in Trinity Church at IL o'clock
with appropriate patriotic musical accom-
paniments, and the chimes were rung afte
service.
The Erie troubles have again been parti
slly revived, in an action by Geo. +. Gray
vs. Fisk. Belden & Co., in the Suprem
Court, to recover balance of 100000
growing out of an operation in Erie stock
+ A steamer from Brazil brought back u
this port, yesterday, cargo of ex Conied
crates who went off after the close of tn
suffering terrible priva,ations they wer
shipped home by the Imperial government
Several companies of Southern emigrant
who located themselves in toher parts c
Brazil are doing well and will remain
The cold snap of yesterday was fel
. throuphoul the country The Thermomete
in this city stood at 10 degrees above ger
at 7a.m m. % at noon and Is at 10 p. m
The cold was more severe IN the West tina
, in New England The Geld continues thi
morning. and the thermometer at this hou
fsa.m. is 10 above zero.
Count Otto Won Beich, the bogus Pru'
, sian Count, and cousin to Count Bismarci
who succeeded in marrying young an
rich woman. the daughter OF respected CT
: izen of Elizabeth, N. j., and IN sTlnd'in
y the family out of the sum of $lO.0oo, VIZ
arrested, yesterday morning, and no
confiped in Jail to await examination
: The Washington Iron Works, at Newburl
D n. Y, have suspended payment. Onh'
I ished contracts to the amount OF Go, OO0 ha'
j.. been placed in the hands of ]. Bigler d U
for completion. The company employe
27O men, most of whom will be retained 4
the work of completing contracts. III
liabilities Of the company are stated at 'oo'
4 s95, 900. 1t is also stated that the asset
n ;f sufficient time is allowed for their conve
sion. will more than cover this amount. III
!. concern was, during the war, one Of Il
9 largest in the country, employing at OF
time. 500 men. The property is owned
Homer Rainsdell, one Of the directors Of Il
d Erie.
d The United States Express Compar
d have signed the agreement with the Adam
u Express and the American Merchant
o Union for q redistribution of routes. TT