TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1846 Prayer by the Rev. Mr. McHugh, The reading of the journal [of yesterday] was dispensed with. Mr. Bennett introduced the following resolution, which was adopted, to wit: 'Resolved, That Beriah Brown be allowed five dollars for printing 150 certificates for the convention." 66 On motion of Mr. Elmore the convention adjourned until tomorrow at eight o'clock, A. M. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1846 The reading of the journal of yesterday was dispensed with. Mr. Jenkins offered the following protest, which was read and ordered to be entered upon the journal of the convention, to wit: "The undersigned, not having had an opportunity to record his vote against the passage of the resolution entitled "Resolution of Saturday, December 12, 1846, relative to raising the pay of members and officers," for the reason that the convention refused to order the vote on the passage of said resolution to be taken by ayes and noes, hereby protests against the passage of said resolution and places his protest on the journal of the convention. "The reason for which he protests against the passage of said resolution is the following, to wit: That the convention have no power to pass any resolution giving to the officers or members thereof any greater pay than that allowed by law. THOMAS JENKINS." Mr. Elmore, from the committee on revision, reported the constitution as correctly enrolled. Wm. R. Smith introduced the following resolution, which was adopted, to wit: "Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be given to the Hon. D. A. J. Upham, for his able, faithful, and impartial discharge of the arduous duties of president of the convention, during the session of the same." Mr. Randall moved that the convention adjourn sine die. And the question having been put, Mr. Magone in the chair, it was decided in the affirmative. The President then rose and addressed the convention as follows: Gentlemen of the Convention: Our deliberations are finished, and it has become my duty, for the last time, to address you. We have performed a work of no ordinary labor and difficulty, and, be it for good or evil, we have this satisfaction-it must receive the sanction of the sovereign people before it can become operative. The difficulties we have encountered have perhaps been greater than most of us in the outset anticipated, and yet, so far as we have been able to discover, they have not originated in most cases so much from any great difference of opinion as to fundamental principles as in the manner and mode of carrying them out. That we have made a constitution that will not meet with serious opposition is perhaps not to be expected. When we reflect upon the present situation of this territory, settled as it has been by citizens of almost all the states of the Union, as well as with a large emigration from several of the foreign states, it is unreasonable to suppose that we could frame our fundamental law except in a spirit of compromise. We have this con solation, that no one objectionable feature in this constitution is considered objectionable in every section of the territory. What is considered objectionable in one section is a favorite article in another, and so of almost every feature of our work that has as yet met with any serious opposition. When our whole work is fairly laid before the people, and calmly and deliberately investigated by them, and when, too, they come to reflect upon the care and facility with which the features individually objectionable to each may be altered or amended at any time when such amendments can receive the approval of a majority of the whole people, and also when they reflect that the same difficulties and diversity of opinions will in all probability exist in case another convention, composed of entirely new members, should be called at any early period, cannot we expect, under such circumstances, that our constituents will look upon the subject with the same spirit of compromise, by which, only, their representatives have been able to accomplish their work? To you, gentlemen, on this occasion, it is my duty to say, as well from the vote which you have just ordered to be entered upon your journal, as from your kind indulgence and generous support on all occasions, through our protracted, and sometimes exciting deliberations, I am under the greatest obligations and return you my most sincere thanks. When elected your presiding officer I had had no experience or acquaintance for several years of parliamentary law, and necessarily, at the early stages of our session labored under many difficulties in deciding questions of order, without time for deliberation and examination. It has been my utmost endeavor on all occasions to decide impartially and correctly, and although I may have often erred, it is no small consolation to feel that I have always enjoyed the confidence and good opinion of the convention. To preside over a large deliberative body is always arduous and sometimes difficult; and it has often been said by the presiding officers in our national council that the good order and decorum of such bodies depend mainly upon the dignity and sense of propriety of the individual members, and I hazard the opinion that the general propriety and dignity maintained in our deliberations will advantageously compare with that of most legislative bodies of the same size. During our session we have been called to mourn the loss of one of our most distinguished, useful, and most talented members, under circumstances calculated to awaken the deepest sympathy and feeling in every bosom. May we profit by this sad dispensation, and when we leave this hall may we forget everything unpleasant that has occurred between us as individuals, hold on to the good, and cherish in our memories all that will elevate, ennoble, and improve our common nature. We part-many of us never again to meet this side of eternity. In conclusion, permit me to wish you a safe return to your friends and families, and may the blessings of an over-ruling Providence rest upon us all. I have now only to perform the last duty assigned me-I pronounce this convention adjourned without day. The convention then adjourned sine die. 714 Agry WISCONSIN HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS APPENDIX I NUMBER OF ROLL CALL Atwood 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Babcock, B. Babcock, J. M. Baird Baker Barber, H. Barber, J. A. Beall Bell Bennett Berry Bevans Bowen Bowker Boyd Brace Brown, H. nnanna nnnnannnnnnaaaa na na na anan nna anaaannna a a an ann na annn aaaaaan naaannna annannnna ar annnnn.. aannna a aana nnnaannn nnnannna a anna ann na annnna Browne, C. E. Burchard Burnett n. a Burnside Burt nna a a Cartter Chamberlain Chase, H. Chase, W Clark Clothier Coombs Cooper Coxe Crawford Cruson Dennis Dickinson Doty Drake Dunning Edgerton Ellis Elmore Fitzgerald French Fuller Gilmore Goodrich a na.... an n Graham Granger Gray Green Hackett Hall, G. B. Hall, J. H. Hammond Harkin Hawes Hays na a. n n n n .... ann nn ann a . a a a.. a an a a an a a' aaana ana B NUMBER OF ROLL CALL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 naan aa aa aana a an nnann na aan na ana a a nann n a aa aa aa a a a an nnaaaa n aaa naa nnnnnnna aaannna na aaannnan na a a L nnannnnnnn & n na an ann .... na aa nna anna a anna ann n una anna ann na anan Ryan Seaver Smith, A. H. Smith, G. B. Smith, J. Y. a a n a na a a nn nan n na an ana anna ann na anan |