, 1889-08-08
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The SOIons at Work.
The Name of the Deity not to Appear In
the Constitution.
The SOIonS at Work,
OLYMPIA, July %, 1889.

the Constitution.
OLYMPIA, July %, 1889.
Mr.. Wiusor presented petition in be-
half Of the womau's suifragIs:s signed by
III persons.
Mr.. Henry, who siEUei the majority
| report of the committee on corporations,
announced that be had changed his mind
in regard to section 81, establishing a
railroad commission, and joined with
Mr.. p. c. Sullivan in opposing the Gre
alton of the same. His objection was
that it was against the principles OF free
government to g We supervisory powers
to any body over the affairs OF any iLdi-
viduRl or corporation.
The preamble and bill Of rights was
the matter set apart upon the calender
for consideration. No shorter preamble
could have been possibly presented.
Many of the delegates believed that a
mistake had been made by the commit
tee in not acknowledging In this article
the existence of a supreme being. The
preamble as reported reads as follows:
I'VE, the peop.e of the State of Washing
ton, to preserve our rights, do ordain
this constitution" To correct what ap-
peared defect. Judge Turner offered
the following substitu E: we, The peo-
pie of Washington, in order to form q
mere independent aud perfect govern
ment, establish peace, Insure traUqnihty,
provide for the common defence, promote
the general welfare and secure the Jless-
Ings of liberty to ourselves and our pos
terity, profoundly grateful 10 Almighty
God for his inestimable rights, aud in-
vokiug favor ard guidance, do ordain
and establish the following constitution
and form OF government for the State Of
Washington"
4 very fervid debate then followed the
intrCd uGtion of This substitute. The
most important debaters uEon this
amendment were Mr.. Cumegys, MI Cos
grove and Mr.. Turner III favor of insert
ing this section inlo the constitution
and Messrs. Warner, Sullivan and Grit.
tiths against.
Mr.. Turner said that so far as he was
concerned 1t was Ii matter of sentiment
the introduction of ihe nume of the deity
into the constitution. tie claimed that
his views upon the subject we're con-
Cured in by uinety-uine out Of one hun
dred peopls, resident in the future state
of Washington, AID that the wishes OF
these citizens should be respected.
slmaD, an ex minister, said
ally he did not care whether
)peared il the Constitution or
re could not see where harm
one if this convention reoog-
nized the Supreme Being.
MIR. j. u. Moore argued earnestly aud
ell, quently in behalf of Mr.. Turner's
amendment. He said that law and Or
der went hand in hasd with religion.
L II. Sullivan SAID that he thought
that the Supreme Being paid little nt-
tention TO political conventions. He op-
posed the iUtrod uction of rel Gion into
the constitution. Many OF the States
lie said made no reference to God in their
constitutions and he saw no reason Why
this convention sLoald place tie name
of the Deity in the organic law of this
state.
Mr.. Goldman said that he was opposed
to MIR. Turner'S amendment, If it WAS
presented solely upon the ground OF
sentiment, he WAS opposed to it. He
said that the convention was not here
TO deal with sentiments, hey were here
for business.
Before taking a vote upon this ques-
ton the convention took II recess until 2
O'Clock p. m.
Upon assembling III the afternoon the
convntion proceeded 10 taks Il vote upon
the pending amendment. The vote re-
suited 81 for aud 81 against.
The amendment being defeated DR..
Miuor offered the following: 1--WE. The
people II Washington, with profound
reverence for the supreme Ruler of the
U, iverse, iii order to secure aud peIpet-
nate the blessings of self government do
urdaiu and establish this Constitution
for the State Of Washington"
DR.. Minors amendment was adopted
by vote of 33 to 81 Tae question was
then upon the preamble a. amended.
From The vote 1t is evdeut that some
absentee had come in before the vote
upon the adoption of ;hc preamble was
taken, as it resulted 80 for aud 33 against
auG consequently was defeated.
Upon motion of Dir. Turner the pre-
nmble was iecummIttcd 10 the commit
tee or preamble and bill OF rigais; car
ried.
The convention then topk up the ar
ticlc upon 'he militia. ! great many of
the Delegates believed that the Article
contained mniter that was purely iegis-
larive aud that on that account this ar
ticie had 40 place in the constitution.
Many arguments pro and con We're pro-
duced Bud no conc usipu reached, when
at $50 p. II. the convention adjourned.
- LEDDY.
How Doth the Busy Bee.
Crank Advises the Delegates