The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-02-11
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

RENARKs OF HoS.J- NC MARTIN OF cLAIBoRSE'
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES II Elk
PLANTATION OF HIS VOTE AGAINST THE MOTION
ToTABLE THE BILL TO CALL AcoSsTirUTIoNAL
CONVENTION.
Ma. SPEAKER.-Inasmuch as discussion, on
the subject of a Constitutional Convention mas
been cut off by q motion to table the Bill ana
amendments providing for a Constitution
al Convention l desire ~ explain my vote
| am conscientiously IN favor OF a ConVeh-
ton, because, 1 think it is imperatiYely neces,
sary The prese mt Constitution was adopted
by a Convention, called und-r general order
issued by an officer in the United States army
The delegates 20 IL were elected under the su
pery sion of United States soldiers, while
large number of the citizens OF the state were
deprived of the ght to signify their choice Tor
delegates After the Convention had compile
ted It's labors the Constitution was submitted TO
the people. large number Of whom were de-
prived Of the right of suffrage, by general
order of the Comma ndan of the Fourth Militia
nv District, although it was rejected, 1t 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 TO, for the
purpose OF securing It's adoption, BRING TO my
cheeks the blush CT shame. and STIR up teelln gs
of indi gnation whenever L read OF IT, or thlnk
of the uncoa titutiOnal power exerted to i'm
pose ii on our people. The humblest Terrific
tory that has ever been admitted TO the OnIOn,
has never been subjected TO such conditions,
or denied the RI hit of a free and untrAmmeI leu
expression of its viii respecting its organic
law.
In nv Judgment the whole Constitution is
not only ncOnstitutionlly created, but many
ofthe Articles contained in 1t are calculated
10 deprive the State of important interests Sc
cured TO it by various Acts of Congress. Sec
ton & of an Act of Congress, approved Sep
TENDER 4th, lS4l, granted five hundred thousand
acres of land to 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 of Congress, 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 eXclu
sively to the purpose ofreclaiming the swamp
and overflowed lands of the State, by means OF
levees and drains.
Notwithstanding the Acts of Congress- max
ing these appropriations for the purpose OF
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 10 the support OF the free schools
This was not only diversion Of the grents o.
Congress from the purposes OF the grants, bu
tits attempt TO exercise a power that II
could not Constitutionally exercise. even If the
Convention itself had been Constitutions
body.
Ever since the so-called adoption of the pres
ent Constitution the proceeds of the land APP
propriated by Congress, has been used for the
maintainance of the free school. debt is there
by imposed on The State of Mississippi in favor
of the Internal Improvement and SWAMI
land funds even if transportation of th'
funds does not work forfeiture of these land;
to the Federal Government. The titles to these
lands is rendered questionable, and the pur
chasers of them viii perhaps, be put to expense
loss and protracted litigation.
There are many other equally as material OBJ
jections TO his instrument influencing my vote
in favor of "A Convention. The indispOsition O
the House. however, to consider these obisc
tions and the predetermined purpose to cut of
discussion, and dispose of this important ques
ton, with smaller consideration than motor
to adjourn, precludes my saying more.