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He would also prefer a special to a general election, for the reason that the amendments are of importance enough to engross the attention of the people. He did not wish them to be mixed up with other subjects, but thought they should be passed upon separately; that the vote should be free from the operation of all other influences; and that the matter should be passed upon dispassionately. As was said by the chairman of the committee who reported the amendments, they are not to be regarded as the amendments of a party-not for the conservatives, or for the democrats, or for the anti-masons, but for all the people of the commonwealth-and as they may be for all time, they should be passed on irrespective of all other considerations. It will be so when party organization is not brought to bear on the people.

It is, however, alleged that there is danger that the people will not be brought out on a special election, although there will be such an important question to vote upon as constitutional provisions. Yet we know that this same subject has brought them to the polls when they elected delegates to this convention. The votes given then, on the call of a convention, were about 30,000 or 40,000 less than were given for governor. The people did then overlook the importance of this matter in their anxiety to elect their governor. But when there was a special election for the choice of the delegates, the votes were more numerous than those taken in the preceding October. It was the convention to which their attention was then directed, and they did come out, and one of the largest votes was obtained in November.

Believing, then, that the people may be brought out at a special election, and that the question of the adoption or rejection of the amendments may be important enough to command the attention of the people, he preferred a special election; and he preferred a special election in June to one in November, because it was a season of the year at which the farmer had the most leisure. The other interests of the state may be brought to the polls at any time. Merchants, manufacturers, mechanics, professional men can attend at all seasons. The places of voting are generally in towns or villages. It is the farmer, and those engaged in agriculture, to whom the time is important, and the question is, what season will best suit their interests. The last of May, or the beginning of June, was in his opinion, the most convenient.

He was aware of the impatience manifested by gentlemen and of which he was sorry to say, there had been too much exhibited for some time past. He was proceeding to show that it would be more for the convenience of the farming interest to submit the amendments to the people about the end of May or the beginning of June. The farmers, in particular, would then be more at leisure. It is the season for planting corn and cutting grass. It was a time of year, too, when aged, infirm, or delicate persons might attend an election without exposing themselves. But, the month of November was a season of great engagements, when, too, the weather was so inclement as to prevent the aged and infirm from attending the polls. June was a much preferable month. It was so, also, on another account, because a fuller expression of popular opinion would be given than could possibly be expected immediately after the excitement created by the general election. In order to obtain a full expression

of public opinion on the amendments, the best course was to select a period of the year as far distant from any exciting time, as might be con venient to the voters, who could attend the polls without a sacrifice of their interests.

On motion of Mr. Cox,

The convention adjourned until half past nine o'clock to-morrow morning.

INDEX

TO THE

TWELFTH VOLUME.

INDEX

ΤΟ

THE TWELFTH VOLUME.

ADJOURNMENT-Motion relating to,

A

AGNEW, Mr. (of Beaver)-Remarks of, or motion of Mr.

Purviance to amend 10th sec-
tion of 9th article,

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AMENDMENTS-Resolution concerning arrangement of,

Concerning mode of taking
question on,

ARTICLE IX-Second reading of,

Section VII of, motion to amend,
Section VIII of, motion to amend,
Section IX of, motion to amend,
Section X of, motion to amend,
Section XI of, motion to amend,
Section XII of, motion to amend,

ARTICLE X-Second reading of,

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4 to 34, 34 to 49
4

12, 13, 14

27

27, 28

44
44, 45

49 to 56, 58 to 85, 85 to 108
Motion to amend report of committee on, 55, 58, 78, 84
85, 100, 101, 102, 103, 106

ARTICLE I-Motion to proceed to third reading of amend.
ments to,

131

Third reading of amendments to, 132 to 144, 185 to 196
Motion to go into committee of the whole on

amendments to,

133

Proceedings in committee of the whole, con-

cerning amendments to, 144 to 148, 149 to 172, 173 to

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