The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-06-25
Convention Notes.

On Monday morning the Convention reassem-
hled alter their two days rest rather reduced in
number, as several members had obtained leave
OF absence until Tuesday. About an hour was
spent in reading resolutions, memorials and Pc
tillons by their titles, and referring them Ia ap.
proprate committees. Prominent among these
papers Was petition from the citizens of Frank
lin county, asking that The new Constitution
contain an enactment prohibiting the sale of in
toXlcallnS liquors memorial from the citi-
Zehs ct Columbia county, asking thai aid be ex
tended To the State y ,icultural College Lake
CITY was read in ul and referred. The House
then went into Committee OF the Whole, Mr.
Ohytros IN the chair, on Article s. Executive
! Department, which came up Tor consideration
on ITS second reading.
MI. Miller, OF Marion, offered 4 substitute for
secilon = providing Tor change in the manner
OF electIng the Governor The mode suggested
by him contrmpaes the choosing of electors, APP
| porlioncd according 10 The population by the
voters OF each county; which electors should
meet at The Capital and elect n Governor a con-
current majority "i the two largest political par
ties represented by such electors being necessary
to- choice. MI. Miller. in introducing this sui
s'ltule made Il short speech ably supporting his
| view, and cit NJ The duthOrily in hi, favor of
The great John G.. Calhoun The substitute
! however, WAS not concurrcd in. and the section
was aiOp'e'l as read. All attempt made bv the
! minority 20 require The election for Governor to
he held II the same time and place as that for
Congressman WAS promptly voted down.
When >cCtLIn was read, Mr.. Hicks called
attention 10 the tact, the giving of The Governor
po" 10 Nil vacancy by granting commits
Sion Wv hch shall expire at the next electpn,"
might leave Il vacancy of perhaps two months
inlari"n unrroN idcd Tor; AMI the mistake WAS
| Iemcdied by substituting The words "tur the I'M
| expired Term for those above quoted
Section =, providing for special sessions OF the
! Legislature, called forth considerable debate
Mr.. Walker havin" introduced an amendment
! renewing the necessity OF unanimous consent of
both house, being necessary to permit the trans
action oi hu>!ue>- other than that for which they
were specially convened. Mr. Walker advoca-
! ted his amendment in short but forciblc
| speech, and Mr.. Iungc replied To him,
opposing The amendment Mr. Taylor in "A
! few words, advocated an amendment max
ing the consent of lwo-thirts Of both houses
necessary. The section reported from
| Committee OF the Whole on Tuesday, and
| passed 10 second reading with amendment
requiring iht consent OF lWO-thiid us of both houses
10 lakc up extra legislation.
Section r. relating To the establishment of a
! pardoning board, caused considerable argument
| Mr. Walker, i'll bilet speech, ably advocated
| leaving the pardonlng power in The hands of The
! Governor alone and opposed The creation of
! pa!GOning board 4 coiored delegate from some
where next rose, evidently intending to oppose
Mr. alkers views though from what could be
| gathered from his remarks, he did not seem TO
want any pardoning power vested anywhere
| bul, 10 use his own language that, Z" if man
commits depreciation 'gainst the law he ought
to be punished This section was taken up on
! Tuesday and passed 10 its second reading, pro-
vlding tor Iardoning board consisting of the
| Governor Justices of the Supreme Court and
| Attorney General.
On Tuesday HE regular routine of business WAS
! taken up resolutions and memorials being read
and referred. The fist interesting scene WAS
| enacted when Article III of the Constitution
| can nm lie first md NJ III
moved 10 insert a provision empowering the
| Legislature To establish Railroad Commission.
| tie spoke earnestly III support of his views, but
| in vain, and the amendment was tabled, the
! Convention not regarding that AS the proper
| place Tor such a prOvsO After some further
work, The House went into Committee of the
| Whole ON Article ', Mr.. Oliveros being called
| to the Char, and taking it, amid applause.
| Section -, directing that the Governor might
obtain the opinion the Supreme Court in inter
probation OF any part OF the Constitution affect
| ing his power and duties, caused some debate;
an amendment being offered subsequently, how
! ever was wlthdrawn, requiring the court, al the
| Governors request, 10 give an opinion upon any
act OF the Legislature. After some discussion
motion To strike out HE Section was laid on the
table and the section passed read.
Next came AN argument over attempt to
| abolish the office of Adjutant- General, which
was opposed by Mr. 1onge and defeated.
pom The presentation Of an additional Sec
| tlOn, No. ii, much discussion enSued. BY the
| provisions OF this section the Governor was ena-
! blrd to remove any official for malteasance in
office, or Other cause, subject To approval OF the
Senate. Much objection was made TO it on ac-
count Of the power to defeat the will Of the peo-
| pie which would then be conferred on Il Gov
crnor. Me>srs. Mann, Miller and Walker OPP
! posed the section, as read Mr.. Maxwell defended
ed it, but finally gave his approval to a com
promise amendment offered by Mr. Walker and,
10 save lime, moved To refer the section, with
amendments back to The House without recon-
mcndaion, and the motion prevailed The COM
mittee then rose, reported progress, and asked
To be discharged
Yesterday was a moderately lively day in the
! Convention, and some uf the members spoke at
considerable length. Most of the session was
taken up in completing the consideration Of Ar
tlclc 5, Executive Department., on the second
| btrs VINO wanted the administrative officers OF
! The Executive Department elected anew in 1885,
and many amendments and substitutes were
offered 10 The section in question: and many a
| little speech WAS made. But all TO no purpose
tor the Convention, by considerable majority
declared that The present cabinet officers "
should hold their positions until the expiration
! of Governor Prrry's term.
Article III, Distribution of Powers was put on
! its final reading and passed and so the first NOR
| sci of the Constitution adopted
Died.