Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-08-02
GE0RGIA's CONVENTION.
For the Formation of a constitution L,
clusively by Democrats.

LLAMA, w. Jury - 1870.
The constitutional convention, now in
session at this place, has gone far enough
in its work to furnish a basis on which the
constitution it will make may be clearly
predicated.
1t is exceedingly important that the peo-
pie Of the whole United States should be
thoroughly conversant with not only the
technical work of the convention, but also
the motive and manner of thought that hes
behind the real work. 1T is the people of
the leading democratic state in the south
assembled for the purpose of making a
constitution that shall be of domestic man
ufacture, and at the same time accommo-
date itself TO the new order Of things
brought about by the war. For the first
time, a constitution is being made in the
new south, unembarrasscd by the fear of
outside interference. Mr.. Hayes has said
to The country with deliberation and
emphasis that the south must be left
to manage its own affairs, and
that the negro, up to this time
a ward over which the nation has exercised
an active care, must now be left to the trus-
teeship of his old masters. Georgia, before
this trust has been fairly placed in her hands,
meets to reconstruct her fundamental law
and readiust the relations Of theraces. There
/ Is DllL one CeDublitdH anu no DtRIO) III inc
convention that has assembled for this pur-
pose, and its work Will consequently be the
resultant of the sentiment and purpose ofthe
new democratic south.
The opening speeches Of the presidents of
the convention, permanent and pro tenn,
touched upon national subjects. The presi-
dent pro TEN alluded with some bitterness
and a deal of buncombe, to the fact that the
carpet-baggers had inserted the word "rebel'
in the present constitution. He inyeighed
somewhat furiously against this offensive
word, his remarks being received, however,
in deadly and oppressive silence. 1t became
apparent at once that the people of Georgia
had no sympathy with such stuff. His re
marks were not printed in the newspaper
reports the next day.
Governor jenkins, permanent president,
said that there was little necessity for him to
ask the convention to recognize to its fullest
extent, and protect in the most faithful man
ner, the rights of the negro In his new posi-
ton. He felt assured that when the consti-
tuition was made the negro would soon come
to regard it as the palladium OF his liber-
ties These remarks were received with the
heartiest applause, and were commended on
all sides. The convention then went to work,
with the following result, that have a ma
tional interest.
In the bill of rights the word "rebel, ;"
which was to be found In the constitution of
1868, was omitted without debate. The
Union is declared to be, in the language
of the committee on the bill of rights, "a
federal, and not a consolidated government,
depending on the inviolability OF the re
served rights of the coequal states This
whole clause was cut out before final adop-
ton, it is said, upon the motion of General
Toombs. A clause is added declaring
that THE the people of this state have
the sole, exclusive, and inherent rights of
regulating their internal government, of al
tering their constitution or form Of govern
ment wherever it may be necessary for their
peace or happiness" 1t is further pre-
zen shall never be the subject of legisla-
ton and that the writ of habeas corpus
shall not be suspended" All citizens of
the United States resident in this %state,''
are declared citizens of Georgia, and the
legislature is ordered TO enac' such laws as
shall protect them in all the rights of citi-
zenship. The present constitution has a
clause forbidding whipping as a punish
ment for crime. That clause is renewed in
the present constitution, which also pro
vides that there shall be no slavery or in.
voluntary seTyitude in Georgia, except as
punishment for crime, and That there shall
be no Punishment for crime. Imprison-
ment for debt is also forbidden, this result
being reached after a sharp debate.
DEFINING VOTERS AND THEIR RIGHTS.
In the adoption of the report of the
committee on elective franchise, a long,
tedious, and at times, exciting debate
was had. Several changes were made
in the law, as it was laid down by the con
swtitution Of '6S. The time of residence
in the state necessary for The right
TO vote was changed from six
months to one year-in the county, from
thirty days to six months. This will have 8
tendency to limit the elective right to settlec
citizens, and to disfranchise the transient OF
floating population. 1t is also provided in the
pending constitution that persons convicted
of petty larceny shall not be allowed TO vott
until they have been duly pardoned. The
3 constitution of '6S provided for the disfran
chisement of only such persons as were con
victed of felonies, or crimes punishable b,
Imprisonment in the penitentiary. Th'
change made viii disfranchise a large mum
Der of petty thieves. The constitution o
: '6S provided that no man should vote VIII
had not paid his taxes for the year mex
pfecedlng lle election at WIlcn ne offers Il
! vote. 1t is now proposed that he must pa,
not only the taxes of the preceding
year, but all taxes that may have accum
ulated against him, after the passag
of this constitution. General Wofiord, VIII,
is leader Of the Independent movement il
this state, protested against the passage o
this clause in the most vehement manner
but was overruled by a large majority Q
the convention.
1t is safe to say that in the above will b
found all legislation possible with the con
@vention that may be said to have an infu
ence upon one race of the people more tina
others. An attempt will be made to abolis
. the present public school system, in whic
= the negro gets over one-third Of the schoc
fund while paying only one-thirtieth of tn
tax. This attempt will very certainly fai
1t may be at last said that the people {
Georgia will accept the inevitable result
OF the war, and that their new constitutio
will be founded upon the logic of these re
T suits, and framed to meet their require
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