The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-04-15
CHARLESTON.
Close of the COnventiOn-PRssage
of the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Closing Address-Characte OF the
Constitution.

CHARLESTON, April 9, 1872.
Editors of the Register:
The closing scenes Of Convention to-
day, were marked by great solemnlty
and interest. 1t was generally known
among the citizens that this body,
which has given so much interest to
this place for the last three months,
would to-day put the finishing stroke to
its labors, and the members separate for
their homes. Accordingly, at an early
hour, the ladies' galleries was filled
with the pride and beauty Of our city,
and the Hobbies with our citizens and
strangers. There was a mixed express
sion visible among the members OF the
Convention-ioy at the prospect OF soon
returning to their families, and pain at
the idea Of breaking nj associations,
which Tor the last few months, had
proyed 50 agreeable. By halfpast s
o'clock in the morning, the members
had generally assembled IN the Hall;
Soon afterwards entered the noble and
stalwart form OF the President, whose
grey looks anil venerable appearance
rave q marked interest to the scene.
A few business resolutions were then
offered, and adopted without dissent
from any member Of the body. MIR.
Faulkner. Chairman OF the Committee OF
Revision, then entered the Hall, bearing
in his arms a large manuscript, which
proved TO be the cngrosSed Constitution
and Schedule. That committee had been
engaged in its careful examination
during the entire night, and the
evidences of fatigue and exhaustion
were plainly visible in the countenance
ofits Chairman. lie said that the com
mittec hal been engaged in contin-
nous session OF nine hours the pre-
ccdug night in careful examination
of the important documents then before
him and he could satel V announce 10 the
Convention, that it was now perfect, ID
substance, and form, and truthfully
presented the views and opinions OF the
Convention. He thereupOn moved
that the engrosscd Constitution he put
upon its passage. The President then
announced that with the unanimous
consent of the body dispensing with It's
third reading, he would submit the
question Of its passage to the Conven-
ton. There being no dissent thereto,
the question was submitted, Shall this
Constitution pass The response OF
the Convention in the affirmative was
loud, earnest, and enthusiastic. On
motion OF Colonel johnson, OF Wood
county. the vote was received by
ayes and noes, and there were found
but three votes in the negative,
| and they. by members of the Republi'
can party. Mr.. Faulkner then present,
ed the engrosed Schedule, and asked
that it he put upon lis passage, which
was carried 10y the same affirmative
vote. lie then moved that the title oil
the instrument be the Constitution oil
the State of West Virginia, which was
unanimously concurred in. The Con-
vention then took q recess to enable the
Committee on Enrolment to compare
the enrolled with the engrosSed Consti-
tuition. This afforded 10 the members
the opportunity Of mingIing freely
throughout the Hall, and OF exchanging
their parting salutations. And certainly
no stranger could look upon the scene
and not have been struck with the ex'
traoriinary cordiality and kind feeling
which must have marked their previous
intercourse with each other. | awaited
myself of the privilege of the floor
which this recess gave me, and exam.
incd. with some attention, the psrSonne!
Of the body. In the general, they are
a fine looking body of men, OF we'll
developed and vigorous physical con-
stitutious. They were all well dressed,
aid had the appearance OF men who
had seen a good deal OF life, and had
before mingled in public bodies. Prob.
ably no body ofmcn has ever discharged
public trust confided to them with
more Industry, and devotion 10 duty.
No man seemed to come here except 10
labor. AMI ldlcneSs was = vice wholly
unknown 10 their habits.
About l. o'clock the Convention was
again called to order, when Mr. John.
son of Tyler. chairman Of the Commit
tee on Enrolment, announced that his
committee had carefully compared the
enrolled with the cngrosscd constitution
and Schedule, and found them 10 be, in
all respects, alike, and free from detect
or hlemish. \ resolution was offered
hv Mr.. johnson, OF Wood county,
rendering the thanks OF the Convention
to the President for his courtesy, ability
and impartaltv as the presiding officer
of the body.
The President responded to the reso-
luton iu a most touching and feeling
address, marked by all that good sense,
manly thought, and vigorous language
Which 50 eminently distinguish him;
This address WAS ordered TO be placed
upon the journals of the Convention,
and YOU will no doubt be furnished
with copy which Won will take pleas
IRE in laying before your readers.
The hllarity OF the Convention here
became very visible. The prospect OF
release from toll, aud of a reunion with
their families, caused several of the
Younger members to offer sundry reso.
lu,ions that would have we'll been re-
tanned in their own pockets. They
were not absolutely Objectionable; they
were merely sporure and funny. but
were not eYactlv in accordance with