Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-03

people of Florida 70 declare whether they viii
meet in convention to revise the existing con-
stitution to elect delegates thereto, to fix the
time and place Of such convention and the
compensation of its delegates and officers, and
also for subsequent election 10 ratify or re-
ject such revised constitution, passed the Sen
ate yesterday by vote Of seventeen to eight.
A brilliant and effective speech was made in
its favor by Mr.. Mallory, of Pensacola. A large
number of the members participated in the
debate. AS the subject was one of great inn
portance enclose the bill in full
''WHEREAs, 1t is fundamental principle of
republican governments that all governments
and constitutions originate with the people, and
may by like authority be revised or changed;
and that it is not within the power of the peo-
pie, even for themselves, to surrender this
right, much less to surrender it for those who
are to succeed them; and that, therefore,
the provisions of the constitution of
1868, so far as they may be construed
as attempting to limit or restrict or
control the exercise of this right, are simply
void; and ThereGS, said constitution contains
no prohibition of constitutional convention
at any other time than designated in section ?
Of article II, by reason whereof the time therein
mentioned Is directory and not mandatory
and lChereds. we believe the interests of the
people require its revision, and that they
should have an opportunity of expressing their
will in relation thereto and OF electing dele
gates to revise the same, should such be their
pleasure; therefore.
"1He people of the State of Florida represent
ed i9lSenGte and assembly do enact as fOtL0aCs:
SECTION I. That on the first Tuesday of Oc-
tober, A. D. 1884, there shall be held an election
for the purpose of enabling the qualified cleo
tors of this State, acting for the people
thereof, to determine whether a constitu-
tional convention to revise the constitution
of Florida shall be convened, and to elect
they determine by their votes it shall be con-
vened. The ballots to be used at said election,
besides deSig mating the persons voted for as
such delegates, shall contain the words con-
Ventlon or no convention the word 'conven-
ton signfying that the elector favOrs con-
stitutional convention under the provisions
hereof, and the words mo convebtion' signify
ing that he is opposed to such convention; but
In all other respects the ballots shall conform
to the existing laws of this State.
SEC. =. That the electors for each county
shall elect as many delegates to said constitu-
tionaI convention as such county has members
of the Assembly in this Legislature, and they
shall besides vote for sixteen other persons to
represent the State at large in said convention,
and the qualifications of said delegates shall
be the same as are required for members of
the Legislature.
''SEc. g. That if a majority of the ballots cast
at the election provided for in the first section
hereof contains the words No Convention,
the Governor shall so proclaim. and no con-
stitutional convention shall be held under the
provisions Of this act; but if a majority of such
ballots contained the words 'Conven-
tio1 g the Governor shall shall 50 proclaim
BILE in the hall of the Assembly in the
State capitol on the first Tuesday of december
and the Secretary of State shall then call the
roll of the delegates so elected, who shall there
upon proceed to organize said convention, elect
the officers thereof and adopt rules for its gov
ernment and to protect it from contempt,
SEC 4. That the said delegates shall be al
this Legislature, and three dollars a day for
twenty days, and no greater compensation
than such per diem shall be allowed to any
officer of such convention.
"SEC. 5. That after such convention shall
have framed and adopted a constitution the
same shall be deposited in the office Of the
Secretary of State, and it shall be published as
said convention shall direct, and at such time
as said convention shall fix, there shall be held
an election for the purpose of ratifyirg
or. rejecting said constitution. All
ballots for ratification shall contain the
word Ratified and all ballots for rejee-
ton shall contain the word Rejected AS the
majority of said ballots shall be for ratification
or rejection, SO sha1 the Governor proclaim,
constitution shall be deemed to have been
established on the day of its ratification as the
constitut ion of the State Of Florida.
''SEC. 6. That all laws or parts OF laws,
civil or criminal, regulating IN anywise
relating to the election of members of the Leg
islature and other state officers, shall apply to
and be considered to embrace the elections re-
quired to be held under this act; and also to
framed by the said constitutional convention
shall require to be submitted to the people at
the election to be held for the ratification or
rejection of said constitution.
The COST to the State of suppressiDg the riot
and keeping the peace in Madison county
amounted to 81 $50 45 and that sum has been
appropriated for the purpose, to be paid upon
vouchers signed by the Adjutant General.
The principal appropriations for the present
year are as follows:
For salaries of the Executive Department,
$4,000: for salaries Of the Judicial Depart
ment, $35, ,073; contingent expenses Supreme
Court. 1000; for jurors and witnesses, $55, 900;
for expenses, assessing and collecting revenue,
$20.0C0; for repairs and insurance of capitol,
fuel, garden, etc, 2,000; for contingent fund
of the State. $4,000; for per diem and mileage
for members OF the Legislature $43,9l9 80: for
pay of officers and attaches of the Legislature,
$7,785. The above does not include various
smaller amounts for different purposes, or the
cost of the public printing.
The appropriations for 1882 are similar, omit
ting those connected with the session of the
Legislature.
Colonel A. G. Morgan, member of the Assem-
bly, from Clay county, is q first cousin of the
famous General John II. Morgan, of Kentucky.
He is a great fayorite in the Legislature and
very popular in his county.
His father, Colonel A. G.. Morgan, served
through the Indian war in this State, and in
consideration Of the services rendered he was
presented by his command with handsome
silver pitcher, bearing the following inscrip-
ton: