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not. In order to test the sense of the Convention on this subject, he would, in accordance with the wishes of the members from San Joaquin and Sacramento, submit a proposition to the effect that the majority of the members from each district present may vote for absentees from their respective districts.

Mr. NORTON objected to any such proceeding. He thought a proposition of this kind should not be offered for the purpose of riding it in upon another proposition which might possibly meet the wishes of the House.

Mr. HALLECK also objected. The Convention would never be able to get through its business, if each delegation was to vote for absent members. If a few members from one district was to cast fifteen or twenty votes by proxy on any question, members from other districts would naturally and justly object to such a proceeding. He thought it absolutely essential to the progress of business that each member should do his own voting, and that the delegation from each district should be distinctly determined. If one member who was present to-day, should be sick to-morrow, he did not think other members had a right to vote for him.

Mr. SHANNON considered the proposition extremely objectionable. It was the very worst principle that could be adopted. The precedent would be most inju. rious. For his own part, if he had to vote for any absentee, he wished at least to have the power of attorney.

Mr. SHERWOOD presumed if the grounds of the motion were properly understood, his colleague (Mr. Shannon) would not object. It was generally admitted that the people of Sacramento were entitled to a much larger representation than either San Joaquin or San Francisco. In order to give San Francisco the votes which it claimed, and at the same time give Sacramento and San Joaquin the number of votes to which they were entitled, this proposition was made. The ratio of representation was to be fixed upon by the Heuse, and it was important that it should be done on the most liberal terms.

Mr. HILL thought the House was losing time in this discussion.

The CHAIR was of opinion that the discussion was not appropriate to the question before the House.

Mr. SEMPLE understood the question to be on the amendment of Mr. Botts as amended by Mr. Hill. The primary question before the House, therefore, was, whether this ratio of representation shall be agreed upon. He intended voting for this amendment, as he believed it to be a fair apportionment. One additional word. It was utterly unprecedented in any Convention held in any State, or in any parliamentary body, to vote by proxy. Where there were different nations to be represented, such a practice might be tolerated, but he hoped there was a general feeling in this Convention against the principle.

Mr. GWIN did not wish to be misunderstood on this question. His only object, as stated in the first instance, was to give the districts of Sacramento and San Joaquin their full complement of votes. He did not desire that members present should vote for absent members; but if an increase was made in other districts, he claimed the right of those districts to an additional representation. He held that the Convention could with perfect propriety give to Sacramento and San Joaquin the power to cast fifteen votes. It was not bound by the action of any other body. It was a body composed of the original representatives of the people. He did not introduce, nor did he favor any proposition to do wrong to any portion of California; but these two mining districts, having the largest population, should have the largest representation. It was simply from a desire to facilitate the organization of the House that he had submitted the proposition.

The question then recurring on the amendment of Mr. Botts as amended by Mr. Hill, it was adopted.

Mr. Borrs offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to report forthwith to this Convention the names of the additional delegates referred to in the foregoing resolution, who have received the greatest number of votes in their respective districts.

Mr. HALLECK suggested a slight alteration to the resolution. That this Com. mittee should report the names of the persons who had received the highest number of votes from their respective districts according to the apportionment agreed upon by the House. If any person claiming a seat should not be included, the question would come up on his case, and be decided on its own merits.

Mr. BOTTS accepted the amendment. The question recurring on the resolu tion, as amended, it was adopted.

Mr. HALLECK stated that he had received a few moments since some additional election returns.

On motion, they were received, and ordered to be laid before a committee. The CHAIR appointed, as such Committee, Messrs. Shannon, Hoppe, and Dent. Mr. SEMPLE suggested that there was a good deal of business to transact, which might be done during the sitting of this Committee. It was important to determine what officers were necessary. This could be done while the Committee was preparing its report.

Mr. NORTON thought it hardly fair to go into any business whatever until it was first ascertained who were entitled to seats. It would then be time to go into the election of officers.

Mr. SEMPLE said, that if the House proceeded according to any established rules, it had no right to determine on the sitting of members until it was fully organized. It was necessary that there should be some members at least to proceed to business before this question could be determined. He did not mean to say that it was absolutely necessary for the House now to commence confining itself to rules before it was organized, but to facilitate business under present circumstances, having gone so far astray from all parliamentary custom, he thought it advisable to determine what officers were necessary, and to elect them without further delay.

Mr. GWIN believed the gentleman was entirely mistaken. It was well known that for weeks and weeks the Congress of the United States was in session under just such a temporary organization, on the famous Jersey question. He considered the present organization of the Convention perfectly legitimate. He hoped there would not be a solitary step taken, except on the admission of members, until every member entitled to a seat was admitted.

Mr. GILBERT read a portion of Cushing's Manual on this subject, [page 10, section 6,] which he thought settled the question.

On motion of Mr. GWIN, the House took a recess of one hour.

AFTERNOON SESSION, 2 O'CLOCK, p. m.

The Convention met pursuant to adjournment.

Mr. SHANNON, from the Special Committee appointed this morning, made a report, which, on motion of Mr. Gwin, was adopted; viz:

Your Committee has the honor of reporting the following as the "names of the persons who have received the highest number of votes in the several districts, equal to the apportionment adopted by the resolution of to-day," and additional to those already returned as elected by the Governor, to this Convention, viz;

Los Angeles-Hugo Reid, Luis Rubideaux, Manuel Requerra.

Santa Barbara-Manuel Imeno, Jacinto Rodriguez, Amitasio Carillo.

San Jose---Pedro Sansevaine, Julian Hanks.

San Francisco-W. D. M. Howard, Francis J. Lippitt, A. J. Ellis, R. M. Price.

Sonoma-Richard A. Mawpin, James Clyman.

Sacramento-L. W. Hastings, John Bidwell, John S. Fowler, M. M. McCarver, John McDougal, E. O. Crosby, W. Blackburn, Jas. Queen, R. M. Jones, W. Lacy, C. E. Pickett.

San Joaquin-B. F. Lippincott, S. Haley, C. L. Peck, B. F. Moore, M. Fallon, B. Ogden, J. M. Jones, T. L. Vermuile, O. M. Wozencraft, George A. Pendleton, Jeremiah Ford, Colonel Jackson, B. L. Morgan, Walter Chipman.

Mr. GILBERT moved that the Convention now proceed to the election of a President.

Mr. SEMPLE suggested the propriety of first determining what officers were necessary to complete the preliminary organization of the Convention.

Mr. Borrs said that the election of President was first in order.

Mr. McCARVER moved that the election be conducted by ballot.

Mr. HOBSON submitted the following:

1. In the election of officers of this Convention a majority of all the votes given shall be necessary to a choice.

2. In voting for the officers, where several candidates are presented, the lowest on the list shall be dropped until a selection is made.

3. In the election of officers of this Convention members shall vote by ballot.

Mr. McCARVER insisted on his motion.

Mr. Borrs hoped that it would not be the pleasure of the House to vote by ballot. He thought it a principle that should be observed here, that it was a representative body, and that those who were represented had a right to know the manner in which members disposed of their votes. They were not here casting their own votes, but the votes of others. He preferred calling by name the individual for whom he voted, when representing the will of others. He therefore proposed to amend the resolution by striking out the word ballot, and insert viva voce. Mr. SHERWOOD preferred the adoption of the original resolution. The remarks of the gentleman were true, as a general rule. But in the selection of officers where there was no principle involved, and where there might be personal feeling, it was usual to vote by ballot. He hoped the gentleman would withdraw his amendment.

Mr. BOTTS Could not consent to withdraw the amendment. He did not believe there would be any personal feeling. As to the principal, he could tell gentlemen there was frequently a great deal of principle involved in the election of officers. His constituents had a right to know his vote, and he insisted upon his amend

ment.

The question was then taken, and the amendment was rejected.

The question then recurring on the original resolution,

Mr. NORTON moved that three tellers be appointed to count the votes, which was agreed to.

Mr. CARILLO said there were certain members from below, who were entitled to seats under the resolution adopted by the House. He moved that they be sent for.

The CHAIR stated that there was no officer to send for them.

Mr. HALLECK moved that the Convention take a recess till 3 o'clock, in order that the absent members who were in town might be sent for. Adopted.

AFTERNOON SESSION, 3 O'CLOCK, P. M.

The roll was read. Messrs. Norton, Snyder and Jones were announced by the Chair as tellers appointed under the motion of Mr. Norton.

A discussion as to which resolution had precedence having arisen, The CHAIR stated that the question before the House was on the adoption of the amendment offered by Mr. Hobson to the resolution of Mr. McCarver.

Mr. McCARVER objected to the amendment on this ground: That it was fixing the rules of the House by resolution. It also prevented persons from becoming candidates, who might possibly be the ultimate choice of the Convention. The candidate having the least number of votes could never be reconsidered. This was forestalling all further action, and was different from any custom with whic he was acquainted.

Mr. SEMPLE also objected to the amendment. He thought it was not customa to withdraw the hindmost candidate. The usual plan was to continue to bal until some member received a majority of the votes.

Mr. Borts considered this objection unfounded. The member dropped would' have a right to be renominated.

Mr. McCARVER was of opinion that in passing this resolution a rule of the House was adopted, and the candidate under that rule could not become a candidate again. Mr. HALLECK moved to strike out the second article of Mr. Hobson's proposition, which was agreed to.

The question recurring on the proposition as amended, it was adopted.
The Convention then proceeded to the election of a President.

On motion, Messrs. Norton, Snyder, and Jones were appointed tellers. Upon counting the ballots, it was announced to the Convention, by the tellers, that Robert Semple, of the district of Sonoma, was duly elected President. Messrs. Sutter and Vallejo were appointed a committee to escort the President to his seat.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

Fellow-citizens of the House of Delegates of California: While, with an open heart, I feel grateful for the honor conferred upon me, yet I must say that I feel a regret that it has not fallen into abler hands. I shall expect a due feeling of forbearance on your part. What services I am capable of rendering shall be rendered freely and impartially. So far as the duties of the President of this Convention shall devolve upon me, I shall use every effort to perform them with as much moderation as I can, and as nearly as practicable with justice and attention to the right. We are now, fellow citizens, occupying a position to which all eyes are turned. The eyes not only of our sister and parent States are upon us, but the eyes of all Europe are now directed toward California. This is the preliminary movement for the organization of a civil government, and the establishment of social institutions. You are called upon, by your fellow-citizens, to exert all your influence and power to secure to them all the blessings that a good government can bestow upon a free people. It is important, then, that in your proceedings you should use all possible care, discretion, and judgment; and especially that a spirit of compromise should prevail in all your deliberations.

It is to be hoped that every feeling of harmony will be cherished to the utmost in this Convention. By this course, fellow-citizens, I am satisfied that we can prove to the world that California has not been settled entirely by unintelligent and unlettered men. I am sure that the present population of California is well calculated to strike the world with, at least, a degree of that admiration which our rapid progress in wealth and prosperity has done. Although the progress of California in point of wealth, has been beyond all previous anticipations, yet her progress in population has been still greater. So far from this population consisting of persons who had nothing to do at home, it has drained from the States many of the best families and most intelligent men in the country. The knowledge, enterprise and genius of the old world will reappear in the new, to guide it to its destined position among the nations of the earth.

Let us, then, go onward and upward, and let our motto be, "Justice, Industry, and Economy."

On motion of the PRESIDENT, an invitation was extended to Governor Riley to a seat on the floor of the House.

Mr. SHERWOOD offered the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the Convention elect one Secretary, two Assistant Secretaries, a Reporter, a Sergeant at Arms, and a Doorkeeper.

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Mr. PRICE moved that the rules of the House be suspended, and nominated Mr. Hartwell as Interpreter and Translator. Adopted, viva voce.

The House then proceeded to elect a Secretary and Assistant Secretaries; whereupon Wm. G. Marcy received a majority of votes, and was declared duly elected Secretary.

Caleb Lyon received a majority of votes as First Assistant Secretary, and was declared duly elected.

J. G. Field received a majority of votes as Second Assistant Secretary, and was declared duly elected.

On motion of Mr. GWIN, a committee of three were appointed to report upon the subject of a Reporter for the Convention. Messrs. Gwin, Dent, and Gilbert, were selected as such committee.

The House then proceeded to the election of a Sergeant-at-Arms; whereupon, Mr. Houston, having received a majority of the votes, was declared duly elected. On motion of Mr. GWIN, the rules were suspended, and Cornelius Sullivan was elected Doorkeeper, viva voce.

Mr. VALLEJO moved that a Clerk be appointed to assist the Interpreter and Translator.

Mr. PRICE moved the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the President appoint a Committee of three to call upon the clergy of Monterey, and request them to open this Convention each day with prayer.

Committee-Messrs. Price, Larkin, and Norton.

Mr. GWIN then offered the following resolution :

Resolved, That a select committee, composed of two delegates from each district, be appointed by the President, to report the plan or any portion of the plan of a State Constitution for the action of this body.

On motion of Mr. PRICE, the above resolution was made the special order of the day for to-morrow.

A motion for adjournment was made and lost.

Mr. PRICE offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That a Clerk be appointed to the Interpreter and Translator.

Adopted.

On motion of Mr. GWIN, the rules of the House were suspended, and Mr. W. H. Henrie elected (viva voce) to the office of Clerk to the Interpreter and Translator.

Mr. GWIN then submitted the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the parliamentary law as laid down in Jefferson's Manual, so far as applica ble, be the law of the Convention, until otherwise ordered.

The Convention then adjourned until 10 o'clock, A. M. to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1849.

The Convention met pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by the Rev. Padre Antonio Ramirez.

Mr. GWIN inquired whether there was a quorum present.

The CHAIR stated that, by a resolution passed yesterday settling the ratio of representation in the several districts, the whole number of members who should be here was fixed at sixty-nine. It would then require thirty-six to form a quorum for the transaction of business, which was about the whole number present. In all regularly organised legislative bodies, it would be beyond their reach to change this order of things; but the Convention was an original meeting of the people, through their representatives, to form a system of laws, and its organization was legitimately under its own control. He thought some provision should be made to facilitate business. It would now require too much time to send emissaries throughout the country to compel the attendance of the members elected.

Mr. GWIN said it was for that very reason that he made the inquiry. He was perfectly confident that no instance could be given of any deliberative body transacting business without a quorum of its own members. The report of the Committee named the persons elected. It would be impossible to get over the difficulty by requiring the attendance of these members. There was but one

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