The Van Buren press., 1874-08-11
PROCEEDINGS OF THE C0NSTiTU-
TIONAl CONVENTION.
Little Rock Gazette.

ted States shall acquire a residence by
reason of being stationed or duty in thi,
state.
Section was read, as follows:
Sec 8. The general elections shall be
held biennially, on the first Monday in
September, but the general assembly may
by law fix a different day, two thirds OF
all the members of each house concur
| ring
Mr.. Sorrels moved to amend by insert
ing August instead of September.
Mr.. Smith, of Saline, moved to amend
by inserting the Tuesday following the
first Monday in November, as the day
for holding the general election, except
during the present year
Mr.. FishbacK moved that the section
be adopted as reported by the committee
Mr.. Jones favored the election being
held in August He lived in section Of
the state where the laboring classes could
go to the polls better in August than any
other time.
Mr. Murphy believed that September
would be better time than any other.
The substitute OF Mr. Smith was lost
Mr. Chism favored the holding of the
election at the time sug sested by the
committee.
The motion Of Mr. Sorrels was lost
Mr.. Smoote moved to amend pro
vided. this section is not intended to ap
ply to the election Of 1874
Messrs Eakin and Thomson, of Craw
{hrI tbnnuht IL nnpaaaSaarv
The amendment was rejected
Mr. Miller moved to strike out Sep
tember and insert Tuesday after the
first Monday of November. "
Mr. Eakin was opposed TO holding the
election on the same day Of federal elec-
tions He wanted them separate and dis,
tinct from congressional elections.
Mr.. Rector moved to insert the first
Monday in October for the first Monday
in September.
Mr. Butler, of Pulaski, was opposed to
the motion, for the reason that there
would be thousands ofv voters who could
not attend the polls at that time,
Mr.. Thomson of ashington, favored
the section as it stood. The election
was fixed at time of the year when the
farmers Of his section had the most leis
ure
Mr.. Copeland thought the first Mon
day in September was the most oppor-
tune time for holding the election.
Mr. Rector's motion was lost.
Mr.. Smith, of Saline desired the elec
ton held on the first Tuesday in Novem-
ber. as did Mr.. Thomson, of Crawford
The amendment of Mr. Miller was lost
Mr. Flanagan moved to strike out so
much of the section as required n two
thirds vote Of the general assembly to
change the time Carried.
The section was then adopted.
Section nine was read, as follows, and
adopted without amendment:
Sec. O. In trials Of contested elections,
and in proceedings for the investigation
of elections, no person shall be permitted
to withhold his testimony upon the
ground that it may criminate himself or
subject him to public infamy; but such
testimony shall not be used against him
in any judicial proceeding. except for
perjury, in giving such testimony.
Section ten was read as follows:
Sec. 10. No person shall be qualified
to serve as an election officer, who shall
hold, at the time of the election, any Of
flee, appointment or employment in or
under the government Of the United
States, or OF this state, or any city or
county or any municipal board, commits
sion or trust in any city, save only the
justices of the peace and aldermen, nota
ries public and persons in the militia ser
vice of the state. Nor shall any election
officer be eligible to any civil Office to be
filed at an election at which he shall
serve, save only to such subordinate
municipal or local offices, below the
grade Of city or county officers. as shall
be designated by general law.
Mr. Harrison moved to add to the
section: knowingly to violate this
section. shall he misdemcanor, but
shall not vliate the election" Lost,
The section was then adopted without
amendment.
Sec II. II the officers Of any election
shall unlawfuIly refuse, or fail to receive,
count or return the vote or ballot of any
qualified elector, such vote or ballot
shall nevertheless be counted upon the
trial of any contest arising out of said
election
Mr.. House moved to reconsider the
motion ado, ting the eighth section, fix
ing the general election on the first Nj on
day in September. He desired to have
the general election on the first Tuesday
after the first Monday in November-the
day on which congressional elections are
held Ruled ou. Of order
Mr.. boswell offered the following as
section 12, which was adopted
"All elections by persons acting in a
representative capacity shall be viva
voce. "
MIR. Bunch moved that the article as a
whole be adopted Carried.
The same member moved that the ar
,icle be reported back to the convention,
with the recommendation that it be
adopted Carried
The committee rose, and the article
was ordered engrossed for third read
ing.
The article on militia was taken up
Qaite discussion ensued as to whether
The article was subject to amendment 1t
having been engrossed for third read
ing. 1t being decided in the negative
the article was adopted and referred to
the committee on arrangement ana
phrascology.