port a form of Constitution, this House will meet daily at twelve M., and adjourn at three P. M., so as to give the Committees ample time for the investigation of the subjects referred to them.

Mr. B. F. RANDOLPH asked leave to be excused from serving on the Committee on Miscellaneous Matters. Made the special order for twelve M., to-morrow, (Tuesday.)

Mr. S. A. SWAILS, of the Committee who were appointed to invite Judge Bryan and Major D. T. Corbin to seats on the floor of the House, reported that they had discharged that duty. The gentlemen named returned their sincere thanks for the honor, and desired the Committee to state that they would avail themselves of the earliest opportunity to visit the Convention.

The report was adopted and the Committee discharged.

Mr. R C. DELARGE, of the Committee on Printing, made a verbal report, and asked for further time, which was granted.

Mr. E. W. M. MACKEY, of the Committee to define the duties of subordinate officers, made a report, which recommended that the rules. of the House of Representatives of the United States for the government of the subordinate officers, so far as they apply to this body, be adopted, and that the Committee be empowered to call before them the subordi nate officers of the Convention, and instruct them with regard to their various duties.

The report was adopted.

Mr. F. J. MOSES, Jr., made a report of the Committee appointed to recommend the name of a suitable person to be elected Sergeant-atArms, and proposed Mr. Miles M. Johnson, of York District.

A motion was made that the report be adopted.

The question being put on the adoption of the report, Mr. BOOZER said it was usual, in legislative bodies of this character, for reports to stand over one day. The members of the Convention might desire a little time before going into an election. I have no choice, but merely rise to bring the matter to the notice of the Chair.

The Chair said, under the rules, the report would lie over one day unless taken up by unanimous consent.

Mr. WHITTEMORE moved that the rules be suspended for the purpose of taking up the report, which was agreed to.

The PRESIDENT read the report, and informed the Convention that if adopted, Mr. M. M. Johnson would be elected Sergeant-at-Arms. Mr. B. O. DUNCAN moved its adoption.

Mr. WHITTEMORE said, I am perfectly well aware that it is necessary for us to go into an election for Sergeant-at Arms. I am also well

aware that we have been told by the highest functionary of the State that the treasury of the State is impoverished, and am cognizant of the fact that it is the desire of members of the Convention to impose as small a debt as possible on the State Treasury. In the matter of the election of a Chaplain to open the sessions, economy was brought forward as the principal reason why members on the floor should be called upon to perform the functions of Chaplain. Inasmuch as economy seems to pervade the minds of most members, I hope that those who are not clergymen may be considered as eligible to perform the duties of Sergeant at-Arms, and that the balance of the Convention act as bondsшen for the members, as they are severally called upon, thereby saving to the State a very large expenditure.

Mr. F. J. MOSES, Jr., said, we are not debating whether we shall or not elect a Sergeant-at-Arms. The question before the House is whether the report shall be adopted, and Mr. Miles M. Johnson elected Sergeant-at-Arms.

Mr. W. J. WHIPPER asked whether the adoption of the report would be acting under the rules of the House of Representatives, which require elections to be viva voce. It seemed to him they would elect by acclamation, if they adopted the report.

Mr. CRAIG asked whether the Committee were instructed to report the name of one or more candidates.

Mr. MOSES said the mover of the resolution had informed him distinctly, it said candidate.

Mr. B. F. RANDOLPH agreed with the member from Darlington, (Mr. WHITTEMORE,) that they should curtail the expenses of the Convention, and was willing to dispense with the Sergeant-at Arms.

Mr. WHITTEMORE moved that the report be recommitted to the Committee, with instructions to report two or more candidates.

Dr. NEAGLE asked whether that had precedence of the motion to adopt.

The PRESIDENT decided in the affirmative.

Mr. C. C. BOWEN said he noticed a disposition among members to retain the floor after being called to order, and moved that the rule in relation to that subject be read for the information of the House, which was agreed to, and the rule read.

Mr. DUNCAN opposed recommitment, and said the Committee having carefully examined the various candidates, found only one that possessed the necessary qualifications.

Mr. B. F. RANDOLPH moved a reconsideration of the resolution to

appoint a Sergeant-at-Arms. He did it on the ground that they could dispense with a Sergeant-at-Arms as well as a Chaplain.

Mr. PARKER said no member could perform the duties of a Sergeant-at-Arms.

Dr. J. C. NEAGLE asked whether that duty could be imposed upon any member without his consent.

The PRESIDENT replied it could not.

Dr. NEAGLE moved to indefinitely postpone the subject..

The PRESIDENT said the question was on recommitment.

On the question being put it was lost.

Mr. W. J. WHIPPER asked whether the motion to suspend the rules of the Convention, simply as to laying over a matter for one day, also affects the election. He was told the consideration of the report was suspended as well as the election.

The PRESIDENT stated that the opinion of the Chair could be overruled by the House. The report recommends Mr. M. M. Johnson as a suitable person for Sergeant-at-Arms. The resolution is embodied in the report, which, under the rules, is laid over, but the rules having been suspended for the purpose of taking up the report, it was before the House for immediate action. If the House refuse to adopt the report, it goes to the wall; but if adopted, then the House elects Mr. Miles M. Johnson Sergeant-at-Arms.

Mr. L. S. LANGLEY. I have always been in the habit, before voting for a candidate, of knowing something of his antecedents. I know nothing of the gentleman proposed in the report, and hope I shall be enlightened by those who do know him.

Mr. R C. DELARGE moved that the report be received and the House proceed to an election.

Mr. E. W. M. MACKEY said a motion had already been made to adopt the report.

Mr. L. S. LANGLEY. As none of the friends of Mr. Johnson think proper to respond to the invitation made by myself, I move that the report of the Committee be laid upon the table.

Mr. LANGLEY, at the request of Mr. NEAGLE, withdrew his motion.

Mr. NEAGLE. I had hoped that the report of the Committee would be altogether satisfactory. The Chairman of the Committee had stated that Mr. Johnson was the only candidate found suitable for the position, and supposed when the Committee was appointed they would examine into both the antecedents and qualifications of candidates, and that their recommendation would be sufficient. Mr. Johnson is from

my district (York). All the members of our delegation, as well as others, have recommended him for the position. I had thought every member on the floor was fully satisfied as to the character, antecedents and status of Mr. Johnson. I would say they are altogether satisfactory to me as a Union Republican and also that he is the best man as far as capacity is concerned.

Mr. C. M. WILDER. I object to the election of one candidate without opposition I believe there is more than one man in South Carolina capable of filling the position. When I made the motion that a Committee be appointed to select, I was satisfied I said suitable persons.

Mr. H. E. HAYNE. I beg leave to correct the gentleman. I introduced the resolution, and that read that the Committee be instructed to nominate a suitable person for Sergeant-at-Arms.

Mr. WILDER. I offered an amendment, which was agreed to by the House. I move that the report of the Committee be laid on the table.

Mr. N. G. PARKER. I hope the Convention will take up and adopt the report. We need a Sergeant at-Arms. I have some experience of such a necessity since acting as Chairman of the Committee to provide suitable accommodation for the members. I have been appealed to by doorkeepers, messengers, members and others, to attend to their several wants. They want wood, coal, water and other things, all of which have to be provided by the Sergeant-at-Arms.

Mr. F J. MOSES, Jr. I consider it an extraordinary movement that the member who introduced the resolution to appoint the Committee should move to lay the report on the table. It is the first time I have ever heard of it. I believe the Committee performed their duty as well as it could possibly be performed. The Committee met. The first time they met, out of several canditates presented they nominated Mr. T. W. Johnson. After that gentleman had been made acquainted with the fact of his nomination, circumstances occurred which placed the Committee in an embarrassing position. They asked for further time, which was granted. A second time they met and had several candidates. They were very anxious to present a proper person and examined the candidates, propounding to them questions in regard to their reading and writing qualifications and mathematical knowledge. Those who know the candidate selected vouch for his capability to perform the duties of the office. If the report is to be recommitted. I hope that the member from Darlington, or some other of the anxious gentlemen will be allowed to put up candidates.

Mr. PILLSBURY. I hope this matter will be brought speedily to a

close. We do not know to what dangers we are subjecting ourselves. A proposition has been offered to make the clergymen of the body responsible, and for all I know another proposition may be offered to make ex agents of the Bureau responsible. If there are gentlemen in this Convention willing to respond for Mr. Miles M. Johnson, although a stranger to me, for the sake of facilitating business I am willing to try him, and if he proves incapable we can remove him. A question may occur as to whether the man of our choice is scrupulously honest, but that may not be important, as we have been given to understand there are no funds in the State Treasury. As the body is still unorganized, I do hope we will proceed to elect the candidate nominated by the Committee.

The question recurring on the adoption of the report, it was carried, and the PRESIDENT announced Mr. Miles M. Johnson elected Ser. geant-at Arms.

On motion of Mr. L. S. LANGLEY, the Committee appointed to nominate a candidate for Sergeant at-Arms was discharged.

Mr. B. F. RANDOLPH offered the following resolution, which was referred to the Committee on Franchise and Elections:

Resolved, That in the opinion of this Convention the question of the confiscation of property and the disfranchisement of citizens for disloyalty should be left to the Federal Government.

Mr. J. M. RUTLAND offered the following, which was adopted:

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee on Finance, to inquire into the condition of the State Treasury, and that they report to this Convention at the earliest practicable period.

Mr. F. J. MOSES. Jr., offered the following, which was referred to the Committee on Legislation:

WHEREAS, forced sales of property under legal processes, at the present unpropitious period, when cotton is so much depreciated in value, the daily necessaries of life so high, and the whole country in such an unsettled condition, that the entire planting interest is endangered, as well as almost every other solid interest in the State, depriving the planters of the power to continue preparations for their crops, and nearly all the laborers in the country of their homes, and the means of obtaining provisions for their daily subsistence; and, whereas, the general destitution that must inevitably ensue can result in benefit only to a small class of persons who live by speculating on the ruin of others; therefore, be it

Resolved, That we, the representatives of the people of South Caro lina, in Constitutional Convention assembled, do hereby respectfully, but earnestly, petition Brevet Major General Ed. R. S. Canby, commanding