Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-03


convention, whether resulting in
amendments to our existing Constitu-
tion or in the substitution of new
Constitution as whole, shall be and
OF right should be, first submitted to
the people for their ratification or
rejection for the same shall be con
sidered as Of binding force or ordained
and proclaimed as the Fundamental
and organic law Of this State.''
Mr.. Bradford said that be favored
the resolutions, but he made the sug-
gestion that they be consigned to the
table for the present, in order that il
may be scrutinized by the members, So
that they might be assured that it con-
tanned nothing by which any LegisIa-
ture could have any excuse for not pro.
viding the people with an opportunity
to pass upon the work of the con
vention. 1t was suggested that the
resolutions ba referred to a committee
Of three, with instructions to neport
later in the session, and Mr.. Bradford
moved an amendment to that effect,
and Mr.. Cooch accepted the amend.
ment. The amended motion prevailed.
Librarian Gruwell was instructed to
procure the necessary stationery. The
Shaif WIS dutuOflItu " hppUlut Ilb IOl-
lowing committees: Committee of five
to consider and report the manner and
order OF business to the convention
committee of three on rules; committee
of three to consider as to whether or
not it is advisable to have the members
sworn, and il so to decide on the
nature of the oath; committee of
three to take into consideration the
employment Of stenographer com.
mittee OF three to provide for per-
manent quarters; committee of three
to arrange for seats for members.
1t was decided that the meeting hour
should be IL o'clock, a. M, until
otherwise ordered, and adjournment
was made until this morning. 1t was
the opinion of most of the members
that it would be advisable TO adjourn
this afternoon until Monday, In order
to give the committees time to formu-
late plans.
In regard to the matter Of an oath
most of the members believe that an
oath is not necessary, and il is believed
that none will be administered.
At the conclusion Of the session
many of the members talked over the
matter referring the action of the CON
vention to the people. All seem to
favor submitting the Constitution for
ratification, but it seems to be the
impression that decision need not be
reached until toward the end OF the
session.
Many Democrats in Dover, and in
fact some of the members of the con
yention are not at all pleased with the
action of the Regular Republicans in
regard to the selection of their dele
cation, as ii is claimed that some were
decided upon for seats who bad re-
ceived less votes than some who were
not 30 honored.
Dover, Dec. 1.-THE Constitutional
Convention convened at l1.02 O'Clock
this morning, with nearly all Of the
delegates present, excepting the Ad-
dicks men who Withdrew yesterday.
In the absence of Chaplain W. L.
Avery, who was out of town, the Rev.
George NJ. Bond, rector of Christ
Episcopal Church, made the opening
PRAYER.
Chairman Biggs announced the fol-
lowing committees:
On the resolution to submit the Con.
stitution to the people for ratification
-Messrs. Cooch, Lavender and Rich
ards.
Arrangement of the order Of business
-Messrs. Bradford, Hartman, Sauls.
bury, Hearne. and Cannon.
Rules-Messrs. Cooper, Burris and
Wright.
oath--Messrs. Pratt, Spruance and
Ellegood.
Stenographer-Messrs Evans Dasey
and Moore.
Place of meeting-Messrs. Donahoe,
johnson and Orr.
Seats for membsrs-M essrs. Spruance,
Sapp and Martin.
A resolution offered by Capt. Dasey
authorizing the chair to appoint com.
mittee of three to wait on the Governor
aud invite him to OCCUPY seat on
the floor at any time when he may be
present. and also to extend the same
invitation to the judiciary, Secretary
of State and members of the House
and Senate, was adopted.
Mr.. Horsey offered resolution pro-
viding for the appointment Of com,
mittee of five to take into consideration
the propriety of establishing an agri-
cultural department in the Constitu-
tion Of Delaware.
Mr., Bradford objected to hasty action
and on his motion the resolution was
laid on the table, with the understand
ing that 1t is to be taken up at the
proper time and referred to a committee
to be appointed later.
The convention took a recess until 9
o'clock p. m.
1t was the prevailing opinion among
the delegates here to-day that by
Monday next nearly all, If not all OF
the Addicks delegates from Kent county
will b. in their seats. Great pressure
is being brought to bsar on them TO
return. 1t is the general desire to
have harmony in the convention.
The committee on quarters for the
convention has decided to recommend
that the new parlnr over the library be
occupied and that steps be taken at
once toward fitting it up. 1t is likely
that the room will be put in such
shape that the Senate or House may
meet there in the event Of an increase
Of the membership of the General AS
semoly.
Bny state Gas Case.