The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-06
List of Those Who Responded to the
Secretary's Call Of the Roll.
Addresses by Hon. William III. English, Vice
President Hendricks, Gen. Wm. Nc
Kee Dunn and Col. Taylor.

IL WOIk o L I1Ou. IN. IL. EDgllSn, the principal
secretary of that memorable convention. VIM.
Mckee Dunn, upon the meeting being called to
order, moved that George w. Carr, the president
of the convention of 1850, be called upon to pre-
side over the present body, which was carried
unanimously, and the president was conducted
to the chair by Hon. VIM. S. Holman, of Dear
born, and Cromwell w. Barbour, of vigo.
Mr.. Carr. thanking the convention for this ex-
preston of regard, said: ut is a qualification
to meet the surviving members of the c~onstitu-
tional convention of 1850, and exchange friendly
greetings with each other once more. But, when
/ look over this meeting, and see so many vacant
seats; when miss so many familiar faces from
our presence, and realize the fact that those
faces are passed, and have gone beyond the
shores of time; have passed over the river, and
entered upon the unknown, and those faces will
be seen here no more, this seems to me to be an
occasion of solemnity and sadness. I trust one
of tie results of this meeting will be to strength
en- and perpetuate the good feeling and respect
we should have for one another, until we, too,
are called to meet our colleagues beyond the
shores of tine.
William II. English was chosen secretary, and
Immediately proceeded to call the roll of the
members of the Constitutional Convention of
1850, with the names of the counties they repre-
sented, and the following responded as present:
Oliver p. Badger, Putnam; Cromwell w. Bar
bour, Vigo; Othniel Beeson, Wayne; Horace P.
Biddle, Cass, Howard, ETC.; Alexander B. Con-
duitt, Morgan; William Mckee Dunn, Jefferson;
James B. Foley, Decatur; John A. Graham,
Miami; Jefferson Helm, Rush; Thomas A. Hen
bricks, Shelby; William S. Holman, Dearborn;
Phineas NJ. Kent. Floyd; Beattie McClelland,
Randolph; Samuel Pepper. Crawford; James
Ritchey, Johnson; E. d. Taylor. LaPorte; Henry
g.. Todd. Hendricks; George w. Carr, Lawrence.
Those who are living but not in attend ance
are: Hiram Allen, Carroll and Clinton; Walter
E. Beach, Elkhart; George Berry. Franklin;
Wm. Bracken, Rush; Benjamin F. Brookbank,
Union; Oliver P. Davis. Parke and vermillion;
Christopher c. Graham, Warrick; Franklin
Hardin, johnson; Alvin P. Hovey, Posey; Will
son Huff, Spencer; John Mathes, Harrison; Cor
nelius j. Miller, Clinton; Robert Ell. Milroy. Car
roll; w. F. Sherrod, Orange; Alex. C. Stevenson,
Putnam; Elias S. Terry, Daviess; Amzi L.
Wheeler. MARSHALL; Robert Work, DeKalb.
The roll-call showed thirty-three members
known to be alive, of whom nineteen were pres
ent. Mr.. Stevenson, the secretary explained.
was unable to attend. He was the Oldest
living member of an Indiana Legislature, his
| service beginning in 1881.
Elder O. P. Badger then asked the Divine
blessing upon the meeting.
James Ritchey moved that a recess of five
minutes be taken that the members presen mt
might shake hands and look into each others
faces. The motion was carried. When the FIVE
minutes had elapsed the president, calling the
convention to order, produced an old -fashioned
silver watch with which he said he had timed
the speeches Of the convention of 1850, and
which had kept good time ever since.
Letters were read from surviving members of
the Constitutional Convention who were unable
to attend. One of these letters was from Chris
TOPPER G. Graham, now at Red Wing. MINI. An
extract from it reads as follows: I'm looking
over the names of the trainers of the Constitu-
ton of 1850, many of whom have risen to prom
lnent stations eminent as statesmen, iurists,
scientists and scholars, and who have performed
their trusts so nobly. wisely and honestly. l
rejoice to have been one, though an humble one,
in forming a Constitution that has guided the
noble State, amid all it's trying hours. to wealth
and prosperity. Many who have been meml ers
of this convention have by continued service
contributed in creating, developing and con-
trolling public opinion and originating, molding
and fostering the spirit that has led to the grow
ing greatness and prosperity of the State. AS
the years roll away the generation of a prosper
Gus ana happy people Tor tDem Will De more last
ing than Stored urn or monumental bust"
A letter from Gen. r. II. Milroy read as fol-
lows:
u s.. INDIAN SERVICE, YAKIMA AGENCY.
Fit. Simeoe, w. T., Sept. Is, 1885.
Hon. w. II English:
NY Dear SRI received a few DAYS ago from Won
the printed announcement of the thirty-ffth ami
versary meeting of the surviving members of the
Indiana Constitutional Convention Of 1850. with the
| surviving members of the first Legislature under that
Constitution. to be held at indianapolis, on the 9Th,
9th and 7th pros., with a few friendly lines in your
own handwriting, directed to me at Delphi. Ind,
which place / left over thirteen years ago, and have
been residing in this Territory continuously since
then. can assure you that it would give me much en-.
joyment to meet the remnant of my colleagues of "auld
lang syne." but time and other circumstances forbid.
The term of my Office being cut short, / am engaged
In transferring it to my Democratic successor, prepar-
atory to returning to my home at Olympia. Per-
haps. should these reunions be continued. L may be
spared to attend some future one, though being near
three score and ten 1T IS uncertain. We will all
soon be over the river" where we will have a grand
reunion of our whole convention. Remember me
kindly to e~low-member who may be present. Ac-
cept for yourself the best regards of
Your longlost friend, R. a.
AN INTERESTING PosTHUMoUs PAPER.
An interesting paper showing how the provis-
ons in Article VIII of the Constitution, entitled
Education" came to be prepared by the com
mittee on education, and to be presented to the
convention, was next read. It Is a fragment of
the inside history of the Constitutional Conyen-
ton, written by the late John I. Morrison. and
was found among his papers by his daughter
after his death. and by her sent to Mr.. English:
Nearly thirty years have elapsed since the conven-
ton met that formed the present Constitution of
the State of Indiana.
OF the $50 delegates who composed that body, but
a mere remnant has been spared TO the present hour.
To notice the many reforms grated into the policy
of the State by the new Constitution Is not proposed
at present. This may be done at another time.
All that will be attempted now is to refer briefly to
| some OF the provisions IN Article y. entitled .sEduca-
ton, and to give a little of its inside and unwrirten
history as it was nodded by the committee on educa.
ton. before it was reported to the convention and
adopted as part of the new Constitution.
The standing committee on education, selected by
IL president, chiefly on account of their well.knowr.
+! sentiments In favor Of free schools and liberal