county, praying that a jury trial may be granted in all cases where liberty is at stake. And the said petitions were laid on the table. Mr. Sturdevant presented a remonstrance from certain people of color in the county of Luzerne, against any constitutional provision being made which would curtail their political privileges. A motion was made by Mr. Sturdevant, That the said remonstrance be printed. Which was disagreed to. And the said remonstrance was laid on the table. A motion was made by Mr. Jenks, and read as follows, viz: Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be tendered to the president and directors of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, for their kind invitation to the delegates of this body to visit the Academy whenever convenient to them; and that the Secretary be directed to furnish them with a copy of this resolution. And on motion, The said resolution was read the second time, considered and adopted. Agreeably to leave given, The Convention again resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Reigart in the chair, on the report of the committee to whom was referred the seventh article of the constitution. And after some time, The President resumed the chair, and the chairman reported progress and asked leave to sit again. Which was granted; and, Ordered, That the committee of the whole have leave to sit again this afternoon. Adjourned until half past three o'clock this afternoon. SAME DAY-3 o'clock, P. M. Agreeably to leave given, The Convention again resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Reigart in the chair, on the report of the committee to whom was referred the seventh article of the constitution. And after some time, The President resumed the chair, and the chairman reported progress and asked leave to sit again. Which was granted; and, Ordered, That the committee of the whole have leave to sit again to-morrow. Adjourned until half past nine o'clock to-morrow morning. SATURDAY, December 9, 1887. The President laid before the Convention a communication from a committee of the board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Institution for the instruction of the Blind, inviting the members of the Convention to visit said institution. Which was read and laid on the table. Mr. Martin presented a memorial from citizens of the city and county of Philadelphia, praying that the constitution may be so amended as to provide that the civil rights, privileges or capacities of any citizen shall in no way be affected, diminished or enlarged merely on account of his religious opinions. Mr. Earle presented a memorial of like import. Mr. Brown, of Philadelphia, presented two memorials of like import. Mr. Chandler, of Philadelphia, presented a memorial of like import. 1 Mr. Konigmacher presented a petition from citizens of Lancaster county, praying that the right of trial by jury may be extended to every human being. Mr. Coates presented a petition of like import from citizens of Chester county. And the said memorials and petitions were laid on the table. A motion was made by Mr. Darlington, and read as follows, viz: Whereas, an opinion is entertained by the good people of this commonwealth, or some of them, that the session of this Convention is unreasonably protracted, and that the expense attending it is, and will be burthensome to the State: And whereas, the business of the Convention is not yet completed, and with all possible diligence will not be completed for some time to come: And whereas, it behooves us to devote ourselves unreservedly to the service of our country, and that without the hope of gain or reward; therefore, Resolved, That from and after the fifteenth day of January next, the members of this Convention will no longer receive pay for their services, but will continue to attend to the business for which they were delegated by the people, until that business is completed. A motion was made by Mr. Darlington, That the Convention proceed to the second reading and consideration of the said resolution. And on the question, Will the Convention agree to the motion ? The yeas and nays were required by Mr. Darlington and Mr. Hiester, and are as follow, viz: So the question was determined in the affirmative. The said resolution being under consideration, A motion was made by Mr. Martin, To amend the same by striking therefrom the word "members," and inserting in lieu thereof the words "delegate from Chester." The amendment being under consideration, A motion was made by Mr. Hayhurst, To postpone the further consideration of the amendment, together with the resolution, indefinitely. When the previous question was called for by Messrs. Read, M'Cahen, Woodward, Bedford, Clarke of Indiana, Nevin, Overfield, Grenell, Cummin, Barclay, Donnell, Hastings, Clapp, Keim, Miller, Scheetz, Ritter and High. And on the question, Shall the main question be now put? It was determined in the affirmative. And on the question, Will the Convention agree to the resolution? |