Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-05-13

The Work 81 tho z K II Irrational oopven-
tion to-msuninrrpred soon.


| work. Tho notice reads as follows:
Notice is bersby given that motion
| will be MAIDS on Tuesday next to take up
| for final action by the convention the
proposed amendments anu alterations
OF the Constitution as the same shall
| be reported by the committee on phrase
ology and arrangement
Outside of the above tho only matter
OF moment which occurred during the
| two session was the Introduction Of the
following Immediately after the con-
| vention had been called to order in the
| afternoon. Mr.. Cooch, who introduced
| the stanza which appears below. was
| careful to state that IL had been adopted
| from similar resolution introduced
several months ago 10 the Legislature
| OF the State OF Texas, and after IL had
been read he stated that no would not
press its passage and the members
| passed 1t over:
Whereas, the patient convention is tired
OF the perpetual jaw.
Which is so universally fired
AT each prospective law:
And whereas, too. some are accused
OF assaulting amendments that pass
| With the very weapon Samson used
The jawbone of an ass;
And whereas, now the day has come
When our own per diem shrinks
| To such small and paltry sum,
IL will not pay for drinks;
Therefore. resolved. that we will hold
Two sessions every day,
And whether ii be hot or cold,
Will try to earn our pay.
The whole debate in the convention
centred upon whether the committee on
phraseology and arrangement had the
authority to make changes in the reports
of the various committees. The pro-
position to make the term of the secre-
tary Of State optional with the Governor
was passed, as was also that making
the confirmation OF the former official
contingent upon the vote of u majority
of the members Of the Senate, it being
deemed advisable that In the case of
an official who is supposed to be the
personal choice of the chief executive IL
majority vote alone would be necessary.
The convention at 5. 10 n. M decided
to adjourn until Tuesday morning nsxt
at 10. 80.
Dover, May la.-The Constitutional
Convention reasssmbled yesterday after
weeks recoss, and after small
amount OF preliminary business had
beon disposed of the consideration of
the third report of the committee on
phraseology and arrangement was pre-
scented,
Before discussion on tho report began
Mr.. johnson asked that the comm ittee
on rules be requested to mako report
on the amendment submitted by him
some time ago providing for the re-
striction of debate in convention proper
to five minutes, no member TO speak
more than twice on the same subject.
The convention, after some dsbate,
made the limit 10 minutes, some de,
string that they be allowed freedom OF
debate without limit as to time, a.
Article l, which IL the bill of rights,
was agreed to without discussion, but
article 3, which relates to the appor-
tionment OF the State, comprised in the
report of the committee on tho Legia-
lature, was laid upon the table for con.
sideration at some future time. This
third section OF article 8 and the
seventh section of tho same article were
also laid over.
An effort was made to amend section
IL OF article 3 by striking out that part
of the section which provides that the
appointment of the Secretary Of State
by the Governor should be confirmed
by the Senate. There was a spirited
discussion over this and by vote of
10 to 0 the convention decided to sus-
tain the committee and retain the CON
tirmation clause.
Section 20 was passed because the
language was doomed somewhat vague.
In the afternoon, section 81 was
called up and II was likewise laid upon
tine table for the present.
Mr.. Lavender wanted to change the
terms of the State treasurer and auditor
of accounta from four years, as pro
vided in the report, to two years, as at
the present time; hut the convention
by decisive vote rejected the propo-
sition.
Mr.. Salisbury wanted the attorney
general eliminated from the list of
elective officers, and offered an amend.
ment to the section providing that the
Governor should appoint and the
Senate be required TO confirm by
three. lfths vote.
Mr.. Spruance stronuously opposed
the amendment, aaying that it there
was any public official who should be
elected il was the attorney general,
and il such were the case tho people
would be able to obtain at least as
good class as had been appointed.
The vote resulted in the rejection of
the amendment, and the section was
then adop ed as reported by the conf
mittee.
Mr. Bradford objected to the portion
OF section % making the term OF Office
OF prouhouotarles four years and ro-
quiring that they shall be elected.
DIR. Pratt believed there was Just as
much reason why the prothonotaries
should be elected as any other official.
In reply to Mr. Johnson's question
Mr.. Bradford statsd that no proposed
the prothonotaries should be appointed
by tho court.
Mr.. johnson said he was irrovocabIy
opposed to the amendment, believing
that ii any of the county officials were
to be elected they should all he. This
same view was taken by DR.. Cooper.
Mr. Cooch then moved to strike from
ths section all tie officials named
therein that held relations with tho
courts.
Mr. Spruance opposed Mr.. Cooch's
amendment, though SO far as the pro-
thonotary was concerned no believed 1t
would be better IL the Office was made
aDpointivs through the courts. As to
the other county officials, he main.
tanned that they should bs elected by
the people.
/ Mr.. Hartman claimed that the pro.
thoDotary and register in chancery
were the only officials named who were