The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-02-14
The Constitutional Convention
CHARLESTON, February 8.

the State Capital, and thereupon
debate ensued, the substance OF which
has already been published. Mr. Will
son, of Harrison, and other members,
objected to the composition Of the COM
mittee upon the ground Of its unfrlend-
illness to the object proposed. No
change was effected, however, and
after a very animated discussion the
whole matter was permitted 10 drop.
The Convention then went into COM
OF the Whole, Mr.. Johnson. ofTyler, in
the chair.
Mr.. Wood moved that the report Of
the committee on Bill of Rights and
Elections be taken up and referred to
committee OF the Whole Adopted.
Also, on motion OF Mr.. johnson, OF
Wood, the report Of he Executive COM
mittee.
The Convention again went into COM
mittee of the Whole, Mr.. Pendleton in
the chair.
The report Of the commmittee on Bill
of Rights and Elections was taken up.
Mr. Basel moved to strike out the
first section Of said report on the ground
that it was unnecessary.
TThe section referred to reads as fol-
lows: TIE State OF West Virginia
is and shall remain one OF the United
States of America. The Constitution
OF the United States Of America, and
the laws and treaties made in pursuance
thereof, shall be the supreme law OF the
land"
Mr.. Woods supported this section.
Also Messrs. Brown, Jackson and
Armstrong.
Mr.. Burns thought it would be ar
rogant for them to assert those prici-
Piles which were already part OF the
Constitution of the United States, that
it simply amounted to saying that the
Supreme Being of the universe shall be
the Supreme Being, &c,
Messrs. Martin and Smith spoke
strongly in favor Of the section as re.
ported by the committee.
Mr. Bassel's motion was lost.
Mr.. Hose Offered an amendment Of
which he had previously given notice
to insert after the word "law" the words
governing alike this and al other
States OF the United States"
Mr. Wiley wanted to know If striking
out the word ;'land and inserting West
Virginia" would not cover the same
ground.
Mr.. Raymond opposed the motion at
considerable length, believing that it
would he an atrempt to control the
Constitution Of the United States; he
did not wish it to be said that they had
refused to recognize the supremacy OF
that Constitution.
Mr.. Hoges amendment was lost and
the first section OF the report was
passed.
Mr.. Brown offered an amendment to
the second section to insert afterthe word
"Virginia' in the second line the words
together with such territory as may be
hereafter acquired.
THE first clause Of the section reads
The territory of the following counties,
formerly parts OF the Commonwealth OF
Virginia, shall constitute the State Of
West Virginia
Mr.. Brown explained that he hoped
ere the sitting OF another Convention
there would be more territory added 10
the State by some arrangement with
Virginia, and should such conclusion
arise, it would necesstate another Con-
vention, which necessity he should very
much regret.
Mr.. Haymonl thought the same pro-
vision was incorporated in the report OF
the Legislative committee.
Mr.. Brown thought that the two
repor,s should coincide in that respect
Tor the sake of unanimity.
Mr.. Browns amendment was lost.
The second and third sections were
passed.
Mr.. Jackson moved to strike out the
words West Virginia, occur ring in the
fourth and fifth line Of the fourth sec
ton.
This section provides that writs,
grants apd commissions, official bonds,
&c, &c, shall he made in the name OF
",he State OF West Virginia. Indict-
ments shall conclude against the peace
and dignity of the State of West Vir-
ginia "
Mr.. Wilson didn't see that retaining
the wording OF the old constitution as
they had in this instance. could do any
harm and he didn't consider it policy
to change simply for the sake Of change.
Mr.. Brown wanted to know whether
the committee had fully considered the
meaning Of the word wrts, and suggest
ed the propriety OF inserting the word
original to make the clause more spe'
cifc.
Mr.. Davenport supposed the question
as 10 the meaning Of the word had
been settled by several decisions Of the
Supreme Court.
Mr.. Jacksons amendment was
agreed to and the section as amended
passeu. -,
Mr.. Hagans in reference to the fifth
section preferred the wording Of the
present Constitution.
THE section provides that "all per-
sons residing in this State, who were
born or naturalized in the United
States shall be citizens of this State,
but no person in the military, naval or
marine service of the United States
shall be deemed resident OF this State,
by reason of being stationed therein
Mr.. Woods said the committee had
departed from the old working in
Difference to the wording of the late
amendment to the Constitution
Mr.. Wiley thought the provision
would be made more clear by striking