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ȣOBGM CONVENTION.
Monday, May C, 1833.
In pursuance of the law of a call of a Conven
tion, the members elect, assembled this day in the
Representatives LTa.ll of the State House, inMil
ledgeville,and was organized by thecal! oi Maj. Ja
cob Wood, a Delegate from Mclntosh, to the Chair;
and on motion of l)r. L. 13. l’owell, Mr. Sturges
was requested to act as temporary Secretary.
The names of counties and delegates were then
called, and gentlemen in attendance, answered to
their names. [The same as heretofore published in
the Times.]
The only county not represented, w; s Marion.
The following Delegates declined having. the
oath administered to them by au officer, but to *k
the same in presence of the Convention, and there
upon took their seats, to wit:
Warren Jourdan, Esq. from the county oi Jones.
Farr 11. Thammell, Esq. Irom the county ot
Newton.
Ceorqb R. Gilmer, and Coward Cox, Esqrs.
from the county of Oglethorpe.
The following protest was offered hy Mr. Craw
ford Oglethorpe—and the same being read, was or
dered to be entered on the Journals :
I, Wilmam 11. Crawford, do protest against the
act of the Legislature of the 21th December, 1832,
imposing restrictions upon the Convention ot the
severeign people,and requiring them to take an
oath, among other tilings, that they have resided
seven years within this State. He also protests a
gainst tlse resolution of the Convention, because it
assumes, without evidence, that the sovereign peo
ple, by the electioii of the members of this Conven
tion, have adopted the said act, as a letter ot in
structions to this Convention—whereas, it has been
admitted by this first day’s proceeding, that the peo
ple have sent members to this Convention, who
have not the 7 years residence required by the law,
which of itself is an irrefutable proof, that the peo
ple did not adopt the said act, as instructions to the
members of this. Convention. • For the foregoing
reasons, the said Wm. H. Crawford does protest
against the said act as an unwarrantable usurpa
tion of the rights of the sovereign people, upon a
subject which has never been confided to them by
the people, which he feels himself bound to respect:
yet for the sake of producing harmony, and with a
hope that something may yet be done, which will
promote the interest of the State, notwithstanding
the present unfavorable appearances, he will volun
tarily take the oath prescribed by the said act, not
as matter of moral obligation, but as matter of ex
pediency—bat no consideration under heaven would
induce him to do it, without such protestation.
WM. 11. CRAWFORD.
The following protest was offered by Mr. Tram
mell, of Newton, and the same being read, was or
dered to be entered on the Journals.
I, Parr 11. Trammell, a Delegate from the
county of Newton, jn a State Convention, held in
Millcdgcvillc, on the first Monday in May, 1333,
and the said Convention by their majority, com
pelled the minority to take an oath which the Le
gislature of 1832, at their annual session authori
zing si id Convention, which act (not a law) I hold
as a reckless stretch of unconstitutional power,
which every patriotic republican should verily dis
card and sweep from the Journals of this State and
every republican government. ThisGth Mnv, 1833.
HARR 11. TRAMMELL.
Mr. King ofGlvnn, moved that a President be e-
Jcctcd vive voce ; which was rejected.
Mr. Foster then moved that the committee pro
ceed to the election of President of the Convention
and Secretaries for the same. On this motion, a
desultory debate took place ; in which Messrs.
Foster, Daniel, Jourdan, and many others, par
took, supporting the motion; and Messrs. Harris,
Hudson, Sturges, T. Fort, Clark and others, oppo
sing it. The former argued in effect, that the oath
was net proper to be taken,and the latter urging the
taking of the oath, previous to the election and or
ganization. As this subject will occupy a promi
nent feature in the proceedings of the Convention,
it will be more particularly noticed hereafter. Af
ter a very considerable ahd procrastinated debate,
it was decided that the oath should be taken, a
grccably to the following resolution, submitted by
Dr. Fort, as a substitute to the one offered by air.
Iverson, which was accepted by Mr. Iverson:
Resolved, That this body now proceed to take
the oath contemplated in the law of the last Legis
lature, providing for a call of this Convention, the
people having, by their act of holding the elections,
adopted the same. Agreed to.
The oath was then administered, and the House
proceeded to the election of President. James M.
Wayne and Wm. H. Crawford were put in nom
ination, and on counting out the votes, Mr. Wayne
had 151, Mr. Crawford 88. Mr. Wayne being
duly elected, was conducted to the Chair, from
which he made his acknowledgments.
The Convention then adjourned to 1) o’clock to
morrow morning.
. Tuesday, May 7.
The Convention assembled, and proceeded to
the election of two Secretaries. Whereupon W il
kins Hunt, of Monroe ; Wm. Y. Hansell, of Bald
win, and Hamilton Gaither, of Baldwin were put
in nomination. On counting out flic ballots, it ap
peared that Hunt received 153 votes, Gaither 14i>
votes, and Hansell 123 votes. The two first, named
were elected.
Henry Darnall, was elected messenger, and Sam
uel Clay, door-keejK*r.
Mr. Iverson moved a resolution,' that the Sec
retaries have such printing executed as might be
ordered by the Convention.
Mr. Crawford, of Hancock, proposed an amend
ment, in substance, that a committee of three be ap
pointed to ascertain the lowest price at which
.he printing could be executed.
Mr. .Sturges, proposed, in effect, that the sec
retaries contract for the printing on the lowest
terras, which was accepted by Mr. Crawford,in lieu
of a committee, and which *wus agreed to.
It was resolved, that Editors ot Newspapers be
allowed a seat in the convention to take proceedings
thereof-—agreed to.
On motion of Mr. Hull.it was
Resolved, that a committee of live be appointed
to prepare rules for the government of this body.
That committee, by appointment of the chair,
consists ot Messrs. Hull, Sturges, Watson of Mu»-
eogec, Gihncr and .Stewart, who retired and
shortly reported rules, which were agreed to.
Mr. Wood, oi Mclntosh. Introduced the follow ing
Resolution :
U«#olved, That a committee to he composed of
three members lrom each Judicial Circuit in this
•>tate, be appointed by tho Preside nt, to report
some plan, which may form a basis for the reduc
tion oi the members in both branches of the Legisla
ture.
In obedience to which resolution, the President
announced that he had made the following ap
pointments to compose that committee.
Eaitern Circuit. —Messrs. Wood of M’lntosh,Dan
iel of Chatham, and Stewart of Glynn.
Xorthern Circuit. —Messrs. Crawford of Ogle
thorpe, Ryan of Warren, and Andrews of Wilkes.
Middle Circuit. —Messrs. King of Richmond,Ten
nilleof Washington and Jones of Striven.
Southern Circuit. —Blackshear of Lauren*, Fort
of Twiggs, and Braccwcll of Pulaski.
Ocinulgce Circuit.—Messrs. Fort of B. Branham
of Putnam, and Moughon of Jones.
Western Circuit. —Messrs. Wofford of Haber
j sham, Harris of Walton, and Hull of Clarke.
Flint Circuit. —Messrs. Clark of Henry, Sturges
of Upson, and Luckie of Newton.
Chuttahoochic Circuit. —Messrs, l’owel of Tal
bott. Iverson of Muscogee & Mays.
Cherokee Circuit. —Messrs. Jas. Hemphill, Irwin
and Chastain of Union.
The following resolution was offered by Mr. Fos
ter of Greene:
Resolved, that the Delegates from the county ot
Murray, be allowed to take their seats in the Conven
tion without taking that part of the oath prescribed
for the members, which relates to u residence of se
ven years in the State.
A procrastcd debate took place on this resolu
tion. And on taking the question thereon, the
yeas were 102—nays 136.
YEAS.—Messrs. Acre, Andrews, Bailey, Beall,
Bond of TT >nd of Lee, Branham, Bracewell,
Chambers, Cooper of Putnam, Cose of Oglethorpe.
Crawford of Columbia, Crawford of Hancock.
Crawford of Newton, Crawford of Oglethorpe,
Crane, Crocker, Danielhof Chatham. Dawson, Den
nis, Dobbs, Ellis, Ekpy, Evans, Ezzard, Funttn,
Flemming of Liberty, Foster, Freeman, Gerardine,
Gilmer, Thomas Green, Gould, Hall of Merriwether,
Hamilton of Troup, Hill of Jasper, Hill of Warren,
Holt, Holcombe, HolSey, Houghfon, Hull, Hudson,
Irwin of Campbell, Irwin of Cass, Janes, Johnson of
Henry, Jordan of Jasper, Jones of Lincoln, Jones of
Morgan, Jones of Scrivcn. Kendall, King of Glynn,
King of Richmond, Lamar, Lewis. Ligon, Living
ston, Lockhart, Luckie, .Mathis, McCoy, McCravert,
Mcßae, Mcßride, McFarland, Murphy, Nisbct, Oli
ver, Oquin, Paine, Parker, I berry , Pemberton, Por
ter of Baker, Porter ?f Greene, Pope, Qnillian, Ry
an, Sayre, Sims of Decatur, Story, Stokes, Tait of
Elbcit, Taylor, Terrel,Thompson of Libert,Thomp
son of Taliaferro, Tigner, Trammell, Underwood,
Waldhour of Liberty, Walthall, Wofford, Wafer,
Watson of Muscogee, Wclborn of Harris, Welch,
White,Wittich.Wootan of Monroe,and Young —102.
NAYS—Messrs. Adair of Carroll, Adair of
Madison, Adams, Allen, Bartlett, Barnes, Barksdale,
Blair, Blackshear of Laurens, Blackshear of Thom
as; Bowen of Carroll, Bowen of Jackson, Brewster,
Brcvvton, Brown, Camp, Carter,Chastain of Haber
sham, Chastain of Union, Clark of Camden, Clark of
Hall,Clark of Henry, Coffee, Connelly, Cone ofßul
loch, Cooper, of Glynn, Cox of Upson.Crowell, Cur
ry, Daniell ot Emanuel, Denmark, Dcnnard, Dis
inukes, Dunham, Fanner, Fan’s, Fleming of Tal
hot, Fort of Baldwin, Fort of Twiggs, Fuhvood,
Garrett, Gresham, Griffin, B. Green, Greer, Gray,
Groves, llu.il of Wilkinson, Hamilton of Randolph,
Hand, Harris of Walton, Harris of Wayne, Hay, J.
Hemphill, P. W. Hemphill, Henderson, Hendrick,
Hilliard, Holiday,Huson, Iverson, Jourdan of Bald
win, Jones'of Harris, Jones of Wilkinson, Kelly,
Key, Kendrick, King of Fayette, Knight, Lawson
of Houston, Lindsey, Lowther, Lumpkin, Martin of
F. Mays, Maugham, McCall, Mclntyre, Moore,
Moughon, Morgan, Mosely, Montford, Neal,'Nolan,
Park of Baldwin, Park of Gwinnett, Park of Wal
ton, Powell, Powers, Rcmson, Riley, Roberts, Ro
bertson, Rogers, Sams, Scarborough, Schley, Sel
lers, Sessions, Sims of Hall, Singleton, Sloanc,Smith,
ot Lowndes, Smith of Stewart, Smith of Tatnall,
Speak, Springer, Stewart, Strickland, Starr,
Sturdefent, Sturges, Swain, Tait of Cherokee, Ten
nille, Thompson of Campbell, Thompson of Cowe
ta, Ward, Waller, Walker of Irwin, Walker of
Richmond, Wclborn of Houston, West, Whigham.
Whitaker, Wilcox, Wilson of Hall, Williams, Wil
lingham, Wood, Worthy,and Wooten of Wilkes—l 36.
The following resolutions were submitted by Mr.
Crawford of Hancock:
Resolved, That it is expedient to reduce the Senate
to thirty-two menibers, and the House of Represen
tatives to one hundred and twenty-eight.
Resolved, That the Senate be apportioned among
the representative population of the State by an
equal ratio, or as nearly equal as practicable.
Resolved, That the same rule of apportioning the
menibers of the House of Representatives be pur
sued as far as it may consist with the local interest
of counties.
Resolved, That these resolutions be referred to a
'committee of , to be appointed by the Presi
dent, with instructions to prepare and report amend
ments to the Constitution, in conformity thereto.—
Rejected.
Mr. I verson submitted a resolution, for which Mr
Bailey offered another as a substitute, which was ac
cepted, requesting the Governor to furnish a tabular
statement of the population of this state, together
with the statement ot the Comptroller-General, and
that the same be entered upon the Journals of this
Convention. Which was adopted.
It was resolved, on motion of Mr. Hand, that a
clergyman be requested to open the Convention,
daily, by prayer. Which was agreed to, and
The Convention adjourned until 11 o’clock, to
morrow morning,
Wednesday, May 8,1833.
Wm 13. Cone a member elect from Bibb, and Knock
By bo “ Bu ‘ appeared, were qualified
ami look their seats.
Mr. Foster offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That a committee of three members, lie appoint
ed, who, together with the Chairman and Secretaries of the
Convention on the first day,shall make up and report to the
Convention the Journal of the proceedings of the first day.
Committee appointed, tnessrs. Foster, Fort of B. & Iverson.
Mr. Dawson moved to re-eousider so much of the Journal
of yesterday as relates to the rejection of tiie resolution in
favor of the delegates from Murray. -The Convention re
fused to reconsider.
Mr. Wood, from the committee of twenty-seven, made a
report, which was read; and on motion of Mr. Harris, COO
copies were ordered to he printed. It was as follows:
BASIS OF REDUCTION
Os the members of the Senate and House of Representa
tives of Georgia, as reported by committee of 27.
1. The Senate shall consisted' thirty-six members.
S. The House of shall consist of one
hundred and forty-four members and no more, except as is
hereinafter provided.
3. The day after it is announced to the Genera] Assembly
that the people have ratified this amendment of the Consti
tution, they shall assemble in the Representative Chamber
| and proceed as one body to provide for the laying out of the
j State, into thirty-six senatorial districts, which shall lie com
j posed of contiguous counties, and in utcompaol a foini as
practicable, and each district shall be entitled to one senaator.
4 . Each county shall be entitled to one Representative.
5. Os the fifty-five remaining members —forty shall be
given to the forty counties having the highest federal popu
lation —twelve to the twelvn counties having the greatest
federal population—and the remaining three to the three
counties having the highest federal population.
6. And at the fiist session of the General Assembly, after
the taking of each census according to the constitution now
in force, they shall by law re-organize the said districts, and
said apportionment of Representatives, according to the plan
herein specified.
7. In the event of the formation of anew connty or coun
ties, they shall he entitled to oue member until the taking of
the next census thereafter.
A communication from the Governor was received, enclos
ing in obedience to a resolution, a tabular statement of the
white, black ami representative population of the several
counties of this State, as ascertained by Ihe last census.
A communication was received from the Comptroller Gen
eral, with a statement of the amount of taxes charged to the
account of the several counties of this Stale, as taken from
the Digests of tax returns deposited in the Comptroller’s of
fice.
The convention then adjourned to 9 o’clock, to-morrow
morning.
Thursday, May 9.
The convention w as opened by prayer, and the proceedings
of yesterday read.
Mr. Jackson of Chatham, and Mr. Ramsey of Columbia,
appeared, were qualified, and took their seats.
On motion of Mr. Sturges, tfie convention went into com
mittee of the whole, Mr. Wootan in the chair, on the report
of the committee of twenty-seven, as made yesterday, which
being read,
Mr. Harris of Walton, moved that the committee take up
the report by paragraphs, which was carried ; and the first
paragraph being read,
Mr. Singleton moved to add,after “ 3ti” “and no more”—
and Mr. Wood moved to amend tiie proposed amendment,
by striking <3ut “thirty-six”—and gave his reasons.
Mr. Camp enquired of the chair, if it would be in order to
offer an amendment to the vv liole report. The chair decided
"that it was in order to oiler, and for the committee to-deter
mine it. Some desultory remarks were made, when the chair
put the question on striking out “ thirty-six”—it was decided
to do so.
It was then moved hy Mr. Hendrick that for thirty-six to
substitute “ one senator from each county.” This motion
was opposed by Mr. Stewart, and lost by a large majority.
Mr. Trammel moved to insert “ twenty-six,” Mr. Stewart
proposed “ forty-five,” which was supported by Maj. \\ ood.
This motion w as lost.
Mr. Underwood enquired if it would be in order to rein
state thirty-six, and being decided to be in order, he gave no
tice that he should move it after the vote had been taken
on the other notices.
Mr. Wofford moved that the committee rise and report
progress, and advocated it as saving lime \j do so. This no
tice was opposed; but pending it, Mr. Wofford withdrew it.
Gen. Rlackshear then proposed “forty-four,” before taking
the vote thereon, Mr. Fort of 15. addressed the committee,
and besought it to go calmly to the task before them —to
bring to it, a spirit of liberality and compromise, that without
it, a skirmishing would arise in debate, detrimental to the
real object in view. The general tendency pf his remarks
were in favor of reduction to a small number. He thought
that a ch ck placed in the hands of the weak, was all that
they ought to require from the strong; that au acquiesence in
the proposed number of forty-four would be an abandon
ment of their rights, Arc.
Mr. Hill of Jasper, felt bound, as a representative of one
of the large counties to oppose the motion.
Mr. Harris of Walton, said that he came here disposed to
allow the lower or small counties more than justice —and
that without concession, nothing could be done. Mr. Clark
of Henry, Mr. Daniel of Chatham, .Mr. Underwood of Hall,
Mr. Andrews of Wilkes, Mr. Mclntosh of Camden, and
Mr. Sturges of Upson, severally addressed the committee.
It was finally decided against the No. “44” by a vote of
123 to 123—the chairman voting in the negative.
On motion of Mr. Harris of Walton, the Committee rose,
and Mr. Wootan from the committee reported progress, and
had leave to sit again.
It was then moved to adjourn, and carried-—to meet again
at three o’clock, P. M.
3 o’clock, P. M. May 9,1933.
The convention met pursuant to adjournment.
It was moved by Mr. Sturges of Upson, that the conven
tion go into committee of the whole, on the report of tiie
sub-coinraittee ; when Mr. Wootan again look the chair.
Mr. Ryan suggested the propriety of passing over the
number which should compose the Benatc, leaving it blank,
and proceed to that part of the report, which contemplates
the basis of representation, whether of federal numbers or
of territory. These suggestions were not acquiesced mby
the committee.
It was then moved by Mr. Underwood that the number of
Senators be “ 30”—this motion was determined in the affirma
tive without a division.
It was then moved to take up the second paragraph and on
reading it—
Mr. Bartlett moved an amendment therefor, in these words:
“ The House of Representatives shall consist of oue mem
ber from every' county, and an additional member for every
0,000 of its representative population.
Mr. Schley proposed an amendment to the amendment, by
inserting 8,000, which was lost.
On agreeing to the first amendment offered by mr. Bart
lett, it was determined in the negative.
Mr. Sturges then moved the following amendment: “ Eve
ry county shall have J member—with a population of 6,000,
2 members—and every comity with 10,000, 3 members and
no more.”
Which was carried ; yeas 120, nays 113.
The third paragraph being read:
Mr. Sturges moved to strike out the word “ they” niter
the word constitution, and insert “both branches of the
General Assembly”—which was agreed to.
Mr. Dawson submitted ;fn amendment for the original para
graph, as amended, in the following words:
“On the first day after it is announced to the General As
sembly that the people, have ratified this amendment, both
bran * 6s of the General Assembly shall assemble in the Re
presentative Chamber, and proceed as one body, to lay out
the State into senatorial districts, according to federal num
bers ; which said districts shall be formed of a county or
contiguous counties, as near as can he, and in as compact a
formas practicable; and the General Assembly then con
vened, shall so lay cut the State as that each district shall
contain, as near as practicable, (without dividing counties or
county lines) its equal relative population of federal num
bers; and in the event that contiguous counties cannot be'so
arranged, the General Assembly may combine counties hav
ing a federal representative population sufficient to authorise
the election of two senators from such a district.”
Mr. Dawson supported his amendment by a speech : and
was briefly replied to by mr. Wood, who paid » compliment
to the persuasiveness and soothing manner of mr. D. by say
ing that in spite of a pre determination, he was almost per
suaded (not as Agrippasaid “to he a Christian”) to acquiesce
in what had so fluently been said. He, mr. Wood, how
ever, “ was wide awake.” In other words, we should say,
the charms of eloquence, the force of reasoning, nor the
weight of argument, were to entrap our friend Maj. Wood, or
swerve him from the position he had taken. The Maj. will
indulge us with our levity, as we frequently recognise with
a smile, his jocundity, and merriment-making disposition.
Wereoßgnize the lowhtuderin these humors—they bespeak
“ the feast of reason, the flow of soul”. We cherish a jeu’d
sprit more than hitter sarcasm or passion-stirring invective.
* * * * lint, to the subject—“the question,”
(as we of parliament, in embryo, would say.)
After mr. Wood, tnr. Camp addressed the committee ; he
was opposed to ttie federal basis, and, supported the white
basis. [We should he gratified to procure the remarks made
by gentlemen, any and all, rather than confide in our memo
ry for a correct representation of the speakers, as we should
have to do, from being ourselves unacquainted with (he hie
rologiphic art of stenography. Political or other difference
(we believe they are few, except differences relating to
measures”) shall not deter us from cheerfully laying before
the public, the views and arguments of all, and the only rea
son we do not attempt it, is, our inability to do the speakers
justice—therefore we will notdo them injustice]
Mr. Foster replied to mr. Camp at length in an argumenta
tive maimer. When he had finished,
Mr. Sturges arose to address the committee, and was a
bout to proceed, when a motion was made for the committee
to rise, report progress, and have leave to sit again ; which
prevailed. The committee rote—-the President resumed the
ehair, when it was moved and carried that the convention ad
journ to to-morrow morning 'J o'clock.
Friday , May 10.
The Convention met—and, after prayer, and the reading
’of ll*i Journal of yesterday, Sir' Camp moved that the con-1
volition again go into committe of the whole; which was a-j
giced to, and Mr. Woolen again resumed the chair.
The substitute, by Mr. Dawson, was read; after which,
Mr. Sturgess took the floor in opposition to it. He was re-.
plied to by Mr. Cooper, of Putnam.
Mr. Flemming, of Liberty, followed, in a beautiful, patri
otic and conciliatory effort, addressed to the good sense of
the body, and to the local, political and personal interests of
the members representing the sea-hoard.
Mr. Crawford of O. gave his views in favor of the federal ba
sis in a concise and forcible manner [The workings of a gigan.
tic mind, are yet displayed by this veteran and reverend gentle,
man.— trong party prejudice, envy and malice may for a time
withhold the well-won plaudits due to long and continued service
and ability, but the disinterested or unbiassed, and future ages
will award to Mr. Crawford a lofty and worthy character in the
history of his country.]
We’ll entwine a wreath for tlty glorious head.
When thou art gone—then! a virtuous patriot’s dead,
Before he concluded he offered the following as a substitute
for Vlr Dawson’s:
“The nine Judicial districts shall be entitled to four Senators,
until the next Census shall iiave been taken. At the first session
of the Legislature after ihe next census the Mate shall bylaw,
be divided into Senatorial districts, composed of a county, or
contiguous counties, and in as compact a form as possible, and
containing as near as possible, an equal federal population ; and
the general assembly may combine counties having a federal
representative population, sufficient to authorize the electionol
two senators from such district,
Mr. W offord offered this amendment, in a speech of much
length.
Mr. Stewart also opposed it. His views were expressed la
conically.
-Mr. buzzard offered as an amendment to the substitute offered
by 31 r. Dawson, the following proviso :
“Provided, that the counties composing the Cherokee circuit
shall be entitled to four senators until the taking of the next cen
sus.”
On the introduction of Mr. Ezzard’s proviso, Mr. Crawford
withdrew his proposed substitute.
The debate was continued, and ably discussed by Messrs. Jour
dan and Andrews in favor of the federal basis of representation,
and was forcibly argued by Mr. Ward of Camden against it, or
rather a compound of representation, taxation and territory.
It was then moved that the committee rise. It did so, repor
ted progress and had leave to sit again.
The convention adjourned to meet again at 3 r. m.
3 o’clock. P. M. May 10
The convention met; and after the call to order, again went in
to committee on the unfinished business of the morning. Mr.
Wooten in the ch air.
Mr. Dawson’s of Greene, resolution, 09 amended by mr. Ez
zard, being under consideration, as a substitute lor the origiual
3d paragraph—
Mr. Foster went into some explanatory remarks to‘correct
an uiu]crstood.niisreprcseutation of his views on yesterday, in
regard to the smaller counties. lie having understo and that he
was made to pass slurs on the smaller counties, lie denied the
imputation —and expressed a high regard for their interest, and
for their friendship. He then replied to mr. Ward as to relative
powers, mr. Ward replied.
Mr. Thompson, of Coweta, then‘addressed the committe at
length, in. favor of a white basis.
Mr. Ila rris of Walton then moved to insert * free white
population’* as an amendment for “federal numbers,” wherev
er the iatter terms occur in mr. Dawson’s amendment and mr.
Ezzard’s proviso thereto. Tellers were appointed, who report
ed |3syeas ; nays not counted.
Mr* Harris supported his proposed substitute at length.
Mr. Gould spoke wjth effect, and was replied to by mr# Camp
.who took a discursive range, and replied generally to the previ
ous speakers that advocated the federal representation.
Mr. Fort of Baldwin offered the following as a sabstituto :
“The Senate shall consist of 36 members each representing
one district. In the formation of these districts, 45 counties
shall be formed into 22 districts, composed of two counties each;
33 counties shall be formed into eleven districts of three coun.
ties each, and the remaining twelve counties shall be formed in
to three districts of four counties each.”
Mr. Iverson could see no piopriety, nor any tliin or to
be {ruined by adopting the views of the gentleman from
Baldwin, his remarks tended, that the convention would
thereby have to traverse the whele gtottnd over again.
The question was called for; previous to taking it, the com
mittee rose, and asked leave to sit again. The President resum.
cd the chair, and the Convention adjounned to 9 o’clock to-mor.
Samurday, may 11.
The convention"met and the proceedings of yesterday read.
Mr. Foster, from the committee appointed to draw up the
proceedings on the first day, previous to the organization of
this body, asked and obtained leave to report, the proceedings
of the first day were then read adopted, and incorporated in the
proceedings of the convention, as now published.
Mr. Trammel rose, and observed that the term “ esquires,”
attached to the names of the menibers, was not republican, and
in the constitutions of our fathers was not there given. He
therefore moved that the word “ esquires” be stricken from Ihe
journal of proceedings. It was determined in the affirmative,
without u division. It was so pronounced by the chair; mr.
Brewster desired a division; the chair pronounced it out of or
der by its annonciation that it was determined in the affirmative.
The convention, on motion of mr. Gould, again went into com
mittee of the whole, on the report of the committee ot twenty
seven, being the unfinished business of yest rday : mr. Wooten
resumed the chair, and proceeded to the consideration of mr.
Dawson’s amendment and mr. Harris’s amendment thereto, to
gether with mr. Fort’s amendment,
.Mr. Schley offered the following amendment and advocated it.
“The and ty after it is announced to the General Assembly that
tho people have ratified this amendment of the constitution, both
branches of the General Assembly shall convene in the represen
tative chamber and proceed as one body to provide for the lay.
ing out of the state into thirty-six senatorial districts, without re
gard to either white or federal population: provided, they do not
alter the present organised limits of counties, nor that less than
two counties compose a district,”
Mr. Blackshear of Laurens was opposed to the amendment;
he was opposed to tho convention giving the power to the Legis.
lature to lay out the districts. The people expected the conven
tion to do till that is to be tlone, and if they approve it they will
ratify it, if they disapprove t ey will reject it.
The committee was ably addressed in favor of federal num.
bera, by messrs. Thompson of Elbert, Hull, & Jourdan of Jones
The question was then loudly called for, and the substitutes of
tnessrs. Fort of Baldwin, and Schley, were rejected without a
division ; and “ federal population” struck out—yeas t 35, nays
not counted. The committee then rose, and the convention ad
jonrned to 3 o’clock, p. m. 3 o’clock, p. m.
The convention re.assembled, and again went into committee.
Oil reading the amendmant, mr. Harris moved to fill the blank
from striking out “ federal population” with “free white, pop'jt.”
Mr. Wafer co Id not reconcile theconfliction of the proposi
tion with the oath taken “ not to add to or take front,” &c.
The question was taken on inserting ‘ free white population”
and determined in the affirmative without a division.
On reading the proviso offered by mr. Ezzard, mr. Underwood
proposed to substitute “ five” for “ four”—the motion lost, and
proviso adopted. The fourth, fifth and sixth paragraphs were a
dopted. The seventh was amended. The committee of the
whole having gone through their report, as amended, rose, and
the President resumed the chair, and the repGrt as amended read.
REPORT
or the Committee of the Whole.
1. The Senate shall consist of thirty-six members.
2. Bach county shall have at least one Representative,
and every county having a Representative population
of (1,000, shall have two Representatives, and any coun
ty having a Representative population of 10,000, shall
have three Representatives and no more.
3. On the first day after it is announced to the Gen
eral Assembly, that the people have ratified this amend
ment, both branches of the General Assembly shall as
semble in the Representative chamber, and proceed as
one body, to lay out the State into Senatorial Districts
according to free white population, which said districts
shall be formed of a county, or of contiguous counties, as
near as can be, and in as compact a form as practicable.
And the General Assembly thus convened, shall so lay
out the State as that each District shall contain as near as
practicable (without dividing a comity or coun ties) its equal
relative proportion of free white population ; and in the e
vent that contiguous counties cannot be so arranged, the
General Assembly may combine counties, having a free
white population sufficient to authorize the election of two
Senators from such a district— Provided, th;i counties compo
sing the Cherokee Circuit, shall be entitled to 4 Senators, to
be apportioned by the General Assembly, until aftei the ta
king of the next census.
4. At the first session of the Gsncral Assembly ester the tf.k- '
ing of each census according to the constitution now in fore e
they shall by law recognise the said districts, and gahl r - " ’
tiomnent of representatives accqrding to the plan heteir gp c -ified
5. In the event of the formation of anew county or ’ counties,'
they shall be entitled to one member enclt, e,id ,o he attuched to
a contiguous senatorial district, until tfie taking of the next ecu
sue thereafter.
MR. HARRIS’S SUBSTITUTE.
Y r '" arr jf the following as a substitute for the report.
'. Ihe Senate shall consist #f forty-five nu mbers and
no more, is to In formed by add r g two contiguous coun
ties together, ns is hereinafter specified, and the atldt
ttons thus formed, shall each constitute one Senatorial
District, and to be entitled to one Senator, to be ele’.cd
annually.
2. ihe House ofßepretentativcs shall be based on
the free wbitu population, and apportioned in the foil
ing manner: no,r '
3; Each county in the State, shall be entitled to.
member. ° n '
4. Each county having a free white populatl™,
thousand and under thousand Ll
tie entitled to two members. a ‘
5. Each county having a free white population
thousand and upwards, shall be 60(111“
to three members and no more. **
6. And whenever by an increased population of i
State, the whole number of members in the Hop
Representatives would exceed the number or one T ’
drop and thirty-five by this ratio.it shall be the ri U ’v
the Legislature in apportioning the Representatives
is prescribed, to fix oy law such number for the ranV
cording to the number of free white persons in ° SC j
county, that the whole number of Representatives n
not exceed one hundred and .thirty-five members at -
time, and also provided, that in such apportionment
county shall be entitled to one member. c ‘
7. The right of the people to choose their represent
tives shall not be curtailed by prescribing any
of property as a qualification for membership ; but th
rich and the poor shall he equally eligible to a'seat *
either branch of the General Assembly.
Mr. Singleton of Jackson offerred the following s u i
lute. c s>
MR. SINGLETON’S SUBSTITUTE.
1. The Senate shall consist of thirty-six members and"
more, and the House of Representatives shall consist of **
member from each county, and ail counties which now 0I "
or hereafter may exist, having a federal population of set*
thousand or more, shall have two Representatives, and '«
Bounties which may exist or may hereafter exist hnvin,
federal population of twelve thousand or more, shall |
three Representatives, and no county shall hereafter ban
more than three Representatives.
The day after it is announced to the General AssembJ,
that the people have ratified this amendment of their presut
Constitution, they shall assemble in the Kepresentato
Chamber amt proceed as in one body to provide for lavt *
out the .State into thirty-six senatorial districts, which sir
he composed of contiguous counties in as compact a f ormu
practicable with due regard to the federal basis, andterritm
of each comity ; and each district thus laid out, shall
after he entitled to one Senator.
3. And the General Assembly of this State, shall after tht
ratification as aforesaid, recognize this amendment as a
of the Constitution of the State of Georgia, in lieu of th
3d and 7th sections of said Constitution. °
4. And whenever it is deemed necessary by a majority 0
two thirds of said General Assembly, they may reorgaiujj
said senatorial districts in such a manner as to include at
new county which may hereafter be made, or to meet an!
other unforeseen contingency which may occur, always hat'
ing due regard to the aforesaid apportionment, and other ape
cifications as aforesaid. ”
MR. IVERSON’S SUBSTITUTE.
Mr. Iverson then offered the following as a substitute:
1. The Senate shall consist of thirty-six members, tote
elected from Districts composed of contiguous counties, nd
having as near as may be an equal number of Represematve
population according to the Federal basis-each Disfict
shall be entitled to one Senator, and in the event that conli™.
ous counties cannot be so arranged, then three or tier,
counties may be combined, having a sufficient Representative
population ; and such District shall he entitled to two Sena
tors : Provided, that no district shall be composed of mote
than five counties : .hidprovided also, that until the taking ol
»ext census of the State, the counties composiug the Chero
kee Circuit, shall have Senators.
2. The House of Representatives, shall consist of »
hundred and twenty menibers and no more—each county
shall liavo at least one member and every county havings
Representative population of seven thousand, shall be en
titled to two members, and no more: Provided, thatwhenevn
It shall become necessary to deprive any county of amenta
in order to coHfine the House of Representatives to out
. hundred and ivventy members, the same shall he taken from
the county, having tke smallest Representative population
above seven thousand.
3. The day after it shall be announced to the General As
semlily, that the people have ratified this amendment of th
Constitution, the two Branches of the Legislature, shall
convene in the Representative Chamber, and proceed as om
hotly to lay out the State into Senatorial Districts according
to the provisions of the first section of this amendment.
4. At the first session of the General Assembly, after the
taking of each census of this State, the Legislature shall bj
law, re-organise the Senatorial Districts, and apportion tit
Representatives according to the plan herein specified.
5. In the event of theformatiou of anew county or com
tics, they shall be entitled to one member each, in the Hws
of Representatives, and be attached to a contiguous Senati
rial District, until the taking of the next census after tta
formation, when they shall be subject to the provisions •
the Ist and 2d sections of this amendment.
It was then moved to have the original report, as amenM
together with the substitutes offered printed, 600 were pi*
posed to be printed and lost, 300 was proposed and sarrid.
The Convention then adjourned till Monday
morning, 9 o’clock.
Monday, May 12, 1833.
Owf.n 11. Ivfnan, a delegate elect from the com
ty of Coweta, appeared, was qualified, and look his
seat.
The Convention then took up the report of the
Committee of the whole on the report of the Com
mitte of 27. together with the various substitute
previously laid upon the table—and the same being
read, Mr. Ivfrson had Icrvc to withdraw his suit
stitute, and additional substitutes were oflered b;
Mr. Mathis, Mr. Brown, Mr. Harris of Walton
Mr. Blackshear, Mr. Forter of Baker, and Mr,
Mays of DeKalb.
MR. M A Till’S SUBSTITUTE.
Mr. Mathis of Lumpkin offered the following as a sub
stitute.
1. The Senate shall consist of 3S members.
2. The House of Representatives shall consist ot 10i
members.
3. The day after it is announced to the General Assembly,
that the people have ratified this amendment of the Consul*
lion, they shall assemble in the Representative chamber, am
proceed as one body, and lay out the State into thirty-six el
ection districts, which shall contain as near as practicable at
equal number of free while population, and shall be com
posed of contiguous counties in all cases where it may re
quire two or more counties to compose a district, and in t»
compact a form as practicable, and in all cases where coun
ties have been laid out since the taking of the last census,
the population thereof shall be as nearly ascertained as prac
ticable for the testimony of respectable persons wholtavet
knowledge of said new created counties : Provided, In*
in lay ing out said districts, counties shall not be divided.
4. On the Ist Monday in October, 1834, the people oft»
several election districts shall elect one Senator and three
Representatives for each district, and at the annual se»7iol
of the same year the Seriate shall oivide itself ic> tnre
equal classes, by lot, so that the term of service of on erta«
shall expire in 0110 year, and the othe; at e „d ofw
years ; and at the annual election in **,ie ’ e a r |g3s, tUapcf
pie of the several districts w here th term of their Ssnato
has expired, shall each again , t a "Senator for the term 0
two years ; and in like m> , ner ‘ shall the people of the re
maining districts olc-7 each a Senator at the annnal *I«-
11011 '» , the for the ljke term 0 f two yearsi
every two v^ ar . Ae expiration 6 f the terms of the
respective Sr; liatorSi tke people shall again elect for the Ilk
?™. * ao _ Vhat the term of service of one-half the - n
Stic , 1 empire annually.
I ®-. At the first session of the General Assembly sner
•aking of the next census, and every seventh annual sees
thereafter both branches of the Legislature B hall p ro
in the manner above pointed out to re-organise the - la »
the same number of election districts under the nil** "* 1
pointed out, and each shall be entitled to a Senator an
Representatives and no more. . c ,
6. No person shall be eligible to a sqht in the Sun
Houso of Representatives, unless lie ne a citizen ®
United States, and an inhabitant of thii State at leas
years proceeding the time of his elevuion, and sna.
resided one year in the district for which he is elected.
MR. BROWN’S SUBSTITUTE-
Mr. IJrown of Washington, offered th© following
substitute.
1. The Senate shall be based upon the present C
limits of countios, and be composed of 45 Senators,
m< to.
Concluded on ncortd pugt.