The Cordele dispatch. (Cordele, Ga.) 19??-1971, 1917-11-04
MRS. CRUM WRITES
ABLED. AR. PAPER
DISCUSSES FORMATION OF CON.
STITUTION OF THE UNITED
STATES.

The following paper was prepared
and read by Mrs. D. A. r. Crum at the
October meeting of Fort Early Chap
ter D. A. r.
The subject study for the year 1917
IS is "The Constitution of the United
States" and after the reading Of each
paper the chapter members enter into
a general discussion of the topic.
1.-THE Constitutional Convention of
| 1887 marks the turning point in our
| history But for it's work we might
| be now in as deplorable condition
as South America. 1t was a common
danger that once more forced the for
| mer colonies to act The convention
was called to amend the Articles of
Confederation-it adopted a new con-
| stitutf6n entirely. Indeed, amend
ment had several times proved impos-
sible, as it required a unanimous vote
of all the states. Twice Rhode Is
land and once New York had proven
| Ted the adoption of absolutely neces-
sary amendments to enable the Con-
gress to raise money In consequence
every state did practically as seemed
good in its own eyes. Connecticut laid
| claim to Northern Pennsylvania and
! was driven out by force. In Massa-
chusetts the so-called Shay's rebellion
| in favor of paper money had necessi-
tated raising an army. 1t was hard to
| collect debts in distant states and all
sorts of foolish legislation was indul-
ged in until twas seen that ruin or
regeneration must follow.
Fortunately the states sent delega.
| tions of their ablest men. Not since
| the Continental Congress Of 1875 had
| so many strong men been gathered
| together From Massachusetts cane
Caleb Strong, Nathaniel Gorham, Ell
bridge Gerry, and Rufus King. From
| New York Alexander Hamilton, John
| Lansing and Robert Yates, but the two
after left he convention and did not
! sign. From Delaware, Cunning Bed
,ord, Jr., George Read and John Dick
nson. From Pennsylvania Jared In
sersoll, Rober Morris, Thomas. Mifflin,
James Wilson and Benjamin, Franklin
he. wisest man of all. From Virginia
ieorge Washington, & James. Madison
edmond Randolph and George Mason
| From 4 New Jersey. William Patterson
| md Jonathan Dayton. From NORTH
| Carolina, William Blount and AleXan /,
| der Martin. From South Carolina
| Pierce Butler, John Rutledge, CharleEs
/ .Pinckney and Charlesi.aC c.. 2Pinekney
Erom Georgia William Houston an9
Abraham Baldwin. From Connection;
i Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth
from Maryland Daniel Carroll an
1 James McHenry.i From New Hamr
| hire, John Langdon and Nicholas Gil
|. man Rhode Island was not represen
4 ed The above are only the leading
delegates from the states, but they
| efficiently indicate the high quality OF
| the whole. The convention met il
| Philadelphia May 25, 1887, with az
| first only seven states represented i,
| did not complete it's work until Sept
| II and all it's sessions were secret
| George Washington was elected presi
| lent, and it was in great measure due
to the certainty that he would be the
first Executive of the country that the
Constitution was finally adopted.
1t soon deyenoped that there was &
marked division of opinion among the
! delegates as to the nature of the new
| form of government. The yargel
| States in population, such as Virgin
| ia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania
wanted strong Central Government
Small states, like New York, New Jer
sey and Delaware wanted the genera
| plan or the Articles of Constitution
| to remain. 1t was soon agreed to di
vide all powers of government be
tween executive, legislative and judi
,ial bodies. But here harmony ceased
Some wanted single and some plu
raj executive. Some wanted singlE
Ind some dual legislature. Some
| wanted only States represented, SOM
wanted the population, some thu
wealth and some both wealth and pop
nlation as bases of representation
The final agreement was that the low
er house should be based on popula
ion and the upper house on states
which were all accounted equal. This
was the first compromise, but it in
! yolved another. The states of South
Carolina and Georgia wanted all
| slaves enumerated the northerr
| states wanted them ignored. A com
promise was effected by counting
three1fifths of the negroes.
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