The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-07-30
C0nvemsiou Nofee.

sider the amendment at once. Up rose. in swift,
succession, Messrs. Baker, Chandler, Miller.
Gloss, Gibbs, Challen and Hargrrt. and, singing
" to one clear harp in divers tones" opposed the
infamous" unreasonable" partisan" "un-
just and in every way abomnable measure
Some pleaded that the rights of the minority be
regarded, and made touching appeals TO the
sense OF justice residing in the hearts of the
ESdfed their rights ' and aa were defiant de-
attempt TO a6rdge them. Some again, reasoned
win The majority, and disinterestedy advised
mem not to stultify themselves. and cas-,
eternal odium upon their fair names by passnp
such rule Mr.. Blount, rising to advocate his
amendment said he did not intend to reply 10
the ciap-trap which had been advanced by the
minority, but simply to inform them thai the
Convention had had enough OF the ANNOYING
Procenngs OF the obstructionsts, and were
determined TO prevent any further captions and
frivolous delays Messrs Mann and Lesley
noth opposed the amendment, on the GROUND
mat such rule would not be fair to the minor
ny; finaiiy' after much discussion, and some
exhlDlii0r OF considerable temper. Mr.. Chan
dler moved 10 amend by substituting "ten fo,
one-nth." Mr.. Blount refused to accept The
amendment, and the number was increased t6
fourteen, which the mover of the original
amendment accepted, saying that that would bt
sutnclent to carry out the intention of the reso
luton, and prevent wful and useless obstruc
ton.
discussion of small magnitude arose when
Mr. Baker called up his resolution to reconsider
ihe vote ny which the additional section &c
Article LII, providing for the appointment 81
county Commissioners was passed on Wednes
day Mcssrs. Mann and Hooker spoke 10 oppo
sinon 10 The amendment, and the House refused
10 reconsider. Section was the next subiec,
OF debate, Mr.. Walker offering and advocating
an amendment that would have had the effec
OF making it prohibit what it is intended 10
permit. Mr. Ionge ably opposed the restric
ton sought to be fastened on the Legislature
and moved to table the amendment, which was
done. Thel there was a sharp ussle over an
amendment, proceeding from the minority, pro-
hibltlng the Governor from appointing more
IMAM three members on any Board OF County
commissioners from one political party, which
was defeated by pretty close vote. A large
number OF amendments were offered to sections
8, and :, and while some were discussed and
generally voted down, great number were
summary tabled, to the chagrin of those intro
ducing them, and the sections were but slightly
changed
AT the afternoon session there was debate
over the Article on Constitutional amendments
caused by the introduction OF Mr.. Sanche rs
amendment making majority vote only of the
Legislature necessary to present amendmea Is TO
the people.
Mr. Sanchez spoke in support OF his amend
ment ms did also Messrs. Weslcott and Mann;
Mr.. Gibbs opposed the amendment, and moved
that it be laid on tho table, which WAS done
There was also a discussion of the clause in
section 2, providing that the next Constitutional
Convention should consist Of one member from
each county in State The discussion was
rather one sided, rs nearly every one who spoke
was in favor of changing that clause so as to
make the representation proportional to the
populations and Mr. Chandler moved an amend
ment making the number Of delegates equal TO
that of the lower house of the State Legislature.
There was long argument over the homestead
question: in which Mcssrs. Blount and Malone
were conspicuous on opposite sides the former
tavoring the exclusion of collateral heirs from
the exemption and the latter opposing him.
The house decided in favor OF including collal-
eral heirs.
Saturday the Convention evinced the same dis
position TO promptly dispatch their work rs they
had shown on the previous day and less time
than usual was spent in talking. There was a
slight debate over the ordinance prescribing the
pay of members and attaches During the dis
cllsson as to the best means OF providing for the
payment of the Recording Secretary for finish
ing up his work after adjournment. several trib
utes were paid that competent gentleman for his
accuracy and general efficiency. Then the pay
Of pages was discussed, and that of the janitor,
but no change WAS effected in the committees
report, and the pay remained al 80 and 81 per
day respectively.
When the Article on Miscellaneous Provisions
was taken up there was sharp argument over
the reconsideration p section "a, which, on its
previous consideration, had been amended so as
to leave the tixin, of salaries of the Governor,
Administrative cffice and Supreme Court Justices
to the next LIE legislature. The section was recon
sdered; and. despite the opposition OF some
who held IT, il would be impossible 10 get
competent lawyer, for instance, to fill the posi-
ton Of Attorney General for a salary of 81 500
the substitute was put in lieu Oh the amended
section, and adopted.
The remainder Of the day was passed in the
consideration of of Article Xl, on the Judiciary.
Some slight discussion was permitted; but in
general, the work was rapidly pushed, and the
previous question freely used to check garrullty,
so that the consideration OF this Article was
completed aud il was ordered cngrossed for a
third reading
Monday morning the end of the Conventions
work was discernible from afar Mr.. Turnbulrs
resolution to adjourn sine die on Saturday was
not tavorably received, some OF the members
thinking it well 10 fix al earlier date OF adjourn
ment and others regarding the fixing OF any day
useless and unnecessary, as the Convention
would certainly adjourn as soon as its work was
completed. The resolution was tabled. There
was some argument over MIR. Goss' additional
section to the homestead article, allowing re
dempUon OF any zeal estate sold under forced
sale, within two years from such sale. Mr.. Ma
lone opposed 0the section; Mr. Randall also
favored striking it out; and Mr.. Walker, Jr,
while thinking that there should be such re
demption allowed with regard to homestead,
did not favor its application to all real estate.
Mr. Goss ad 7ocated the section, but il was
stricken out.
After discussing the claims of Ocala for the
reimbursement of certain moneys expended to
secure the location there OF the East FLORIDA
Seminary in 1852 which seminary was sum-
marily removed in 1865 aud neither land or
money returned TO the town, the Convention
decided that Justice should at last be done
TO that entcrprsing little city. and passed the
section empowering the Legislature to take &C
ton necessary in the matter Mr. Miller. who
has been for years endeavoring 10 have done his
town in this respect is much gratlhed over the
result, as are, no doubt, the good people OF Ocaa
The debate of the day. however, was on the
majority and minority reports from inc Uomni'
tee Census and ApportlOnment MIR. Wilson, OF
Polk and Manatec, moved that section g of the
minority report be substituted for section !, ma
jority report Mr. CEallen advocated the sub
stitution, in plausible speech Mr. Hooker, on
the other hand, declared the proposed substitute
utterly impracticable. Mr.. Baker-but it's well,
10 forbear for Baker was administered all ndu-
szlDa to the Convention on this subject, and it
would be cruel to recall it TO their memory
by any narrowing allusOn TO the ordeal. Mr.
Cook offered his substitute, which struck
some of the members as being rather novel
and sent shock through the system OF
the tall, dIgnfed gentleman from Duval. from
which serious effects might have been appre-
hended by some timid member Mr. COOK sup
ported his substitute, Mr. Challcn. ii is almost
needless TO say, opposed it, Mr. Mcclellan then
fired some hot shot into the minority report sub
a,;,utn and Mr. WilsOna motion Il bled bV