Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-16
CONSTITUTION FRAAlERs.
Submission of the New Laws to the
People for Ratification Proposed

People for Ratification Proposed.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA, June i5.-Among
the Chairmen of the standing committees
announced to-day are Messrs. Maxwell
of the Executive, Sanchez Of the Judi
ciary, and Bethel of the Legislative. This
arrangement gives entire satisfaction,
Numerous memorials and resolutions
were introduced and refer ed to the
proper committees. Among them was
one abolishing the office Of Adjutant Gen
eral, and another changing the date OF
State elections. Judge Randa Is rosolu-
tion requiring the submission the con-
stitution to the people for ratA liion was
referred 10 a committee with istrpctiOns
to report tomorrow. MessrE. Y0nge and
Lesley were unanimously elect First and
Second Vice Presidents Of the conven-
ton. The committees organized and
commenced work this evening.
MAKING OFFICES ELECTIVE.
There seems to be prevailing disposi-
tion to make all officers elective, but the
proposition to elect the Judges Will be
stoutly opposed. There is great diver
sity of opinion as to the tenure Of office
for the Judges. The number &C Cabinet
officers will probably be reduced and the
Jurisdiction of Justices OF tbe Peace re-
stricted.
Judge A. K. Maxwell. Of Pensacola.
probably wields more infuen ce than any
other one man in the convention. For
many years he has been prominent in this
State, and represented Florida In Con
gress before the war, and was member
of the Confederate Senate. Since the war
he has been Judge of the First
tlaru aAG
nearly all Of West Florida.
He is a cultivated and an intelligent gem
tleman, and his superior qualifications
are recognized by all. he Is chairman of
the most important committee, and a
prominent and an influential member Of
several others.
MR.. MARSHALL, OF LEVY.
Hon. John F. Marshall, delegate from
Levy county, is one Of the most eXper-
fenced and level-headed men in the con
yention. He was Judge in Louisiana
for many years and was a member of the
convention which framed the present con-
stitution of Louisiana. His experience
has already made him an invaluable men,
ber of this convention. He was the first
to devise plan BY which 4
permanent organization OF stand
ing committees is secured, and
LID well UhlhnCEu illlUu Nlleu MHHlsLh III
dispOsing Of an abstruse question. His
learning and commanding influence make
him the peer of the leaders. His knowl-
edge Of constitutional lay aud the rules Of
equity and justice make him an eminent
ly suitable person to perform the i'm
portant task here presented.
TWENTY YEARS LATER.
Referring 10 the journal Of the conven-
tlon OF 1885 It appears O iamong the
delegates 20 this constitutional cOnyeu-
ti0n are four gentlemen who were mem
bers of "the convention Of the people"
that assembled in Tallahassee on Oct. %
in that year, to frame "a constitution or
form of government for the people of Fl0ri-
da." These members, who twenty years
later are returned by the people for the
discharge of like responsible duty, are
Hon. J. NJ. Landrum, of Santa Rosa
county, who in 1885 represented Walton
county in the convention; Hon. s. r.
Hope, now of HillsbOrough, then of Her
nandO; Hon. Alexander Bell. now Of
Dade, then Of Hamilton; Hon. j. G. Rich
ard, then, as now, of Bradford. The
years have touched lightly the worthy
sixty-fvers who are now eighty-fvers.
DIR. 5. B. COnOver, delegate from Leon
county, is the only member of the con-
stitutional convention Of 1868 in the pres
ent convention. In 1868 he was dele
gate from Columbia and Baker counties.
DR.. John WestcOtt, OF st. Johns county,
is the Oldest delegate in the convention,
being 7S years of age. Judge Landrum,
of Santa Rosa, is the next Oldest, being
years his junior. Hon. &. G. Wilson,
representing the Twenty-seYenth Senate
rial district, composed of the counties Of
Polk and Manatee, is the youngest mem
ber Of the Constitutional Convention.