The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1880-02-06
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

RENAEEs or HOs.J. n e. NABfIs or CLAfBORNE
IN THE H0UsR o. REPEEsEETArIvEs * Ex
PLAsATIOs OF his VOTE AGAINST THE MOTION
ToTABLE THE BILL TO GALL a coSsTiTUTIosAL
CONVENTION.
Ma. SPEAKEH.-Inasmuch 90 discussion, on
the subject Of a Constitutional Convention has
been cut Of. by q motion to table the Bill ana
amendments providing for Constitution.
81 Convention desire ~ explain my vote.
am eonscientiously in favor Of Conven-
ton, because, think IL il imperatively neces-
sary. The present Constitution was adopted
by Convention, ealie1 und general order
Issued by an officer In the United States army
The delegates 20 It were elected under the su
perry sion Of United States soldiers while a
large number Of the citizens Of the State were
deprived OF the light 70 signify their choice for
delegates. After the Convention had compile
ted It's laboFs the Constitution was submitted to
the people, large number Of whom we're de-
prived Of the right Of suffrage, by a general
order Of the C0mmaDdant Oftbe Fourth Militia
~ District, although II was rejected. il was
again submitted TO the people, by proclamation
Of he President and adopted by an almost
exclusive negro vote.
The history Of this instrument and the out
rageOus exertion Of power resorted 20, for the
| purpose Of securing iis adoption, bring to my
cheeks the blush Of shame and stir up ceilings
| Of indignation whenever ] read Of IT., or think
| Of the unconstitutional power eKerted 10 i'm
pose it on our people. The humblest Terrific
/ tory that has ever been admitted 10 the Union,
has never been subjected TO such conditions
or denied the right Of free and untrammelled
expression Of It's will respecting its organic
law.
In my Judgment the whole Constitution Is
Il not only uuconstitutionlly created, but many
Of the Articles contained in il are calculated
10 deprive the State ofimportant interests Sc
cured 10 IL by various Acts of Congress. Sec
ton y, Of an Act Of Congress approved Seq.
TENDER 4th, lsil, granted FIVE hundred thousand
acres Of land 10 this State, the net proceeds
Of which were directed to be faithfully applied
to objects OF internal improvements, and Sec
ton T. Of an Act ofCongress, approved Septem-
Der 18th 1850, appropriated all the swamp
lands in this State TO the State the proceeds Of
which Congress directed to be applied exelu-
siyely, to the purpose ofreclaiming the swamp
and overhowcd lands Of the State, by means Of
levees and drains
Notwithstanding the Acts Of Congress, max
ing these appropriations for the purpose %
Internal improvements, and retaining the
SWAMP lands Of the State, the Convention that
framed the present Constitution adopted pro-
vision embraced in Article VIII, Section six
Of the Constitution, applying the proceeds Of
all these lands to the support ithe reeschools.
This was not only n diversion OF the grents of
Congress from the purposes Of the grants, but
tits an attempt to exercise a power that it
, could not Constiutionally exercise. even if the
Convention itself had been a Constitutional
; body.
Ever since the so-oalled adoption of the pres
ent Constitution the proceeds Of the land APP
propriated by Congress- has been used for the
maintenance of the free school. debt is there-
by imposed on the State Of Mississippi in favor
of the Internal improvement and Swamp
= land funds, even if incorporation Of the
, funds does not work forfeiture fthese lands
to the Federal Government. The titles to these
lands is rendered questionable, and the pur-
chasers Of them will perhaps, be pu. to expense,
loss, and protracted litigation.
There are many other equally rs material OBJ
9 iections to this instrument influencing my vote
in favor ola Convention. The indspositon OF
the House, however t. consider these Obj &C.
! tons, and the Predetermined purpose to cut off
discussion, and dispose ofthis important ques-
ton, with smaller consideration than motion
to adjourn, preoludes my saying more