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Domestic News April 10, 1805

The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

Washington, District Of Columbia

What is this article about?

On the 4th instant, Pennsylvania's House of Representatives debated a committee report on calling a constitutional convention. A substitute resolution to postpone was defeated 22-54, and the original resolution passed 51-25, despite opposition citing oaths to support the existing constitution.

Merged-components note: Continuation of the report on Pennsylvania House proceedings regarding a constitutional convention, including the vote tally, as a single domestic news article.

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On the 4th inst. the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, took into consideration the report of the committee respecting a Convention. It was supported by Messrs. Boileau, Findlay, Leacock and Mitchell, and opposed by Messrs. Milnor, Welles, Miller, Porter, and Ingram.

Mr. Milnor moved and was seconded by Mr. Porter, to postpone the consideration of the resolution attached to the report, in order to introduce the following as a substitute:

Whereas, sundry petitions, signed by four thousand nine hundred and forty-four inhabitants of this commonwealth have been presented to this House, stating, that in the opinion of the petitioners, certain defects exist in the constitution, and praying the Legislature to take measures for calling a convention, for the purpose of revising and amending that instrument: Also, certain memorials, signed by five thousand five hundred and ninety inhabitants of this commonwealth, stating as their opinion, that the constitution in its present form has afforded, and is calculated to afford, as great a degree of happiness, as can reasonably be expected from human institutions, and remonstrating against any measures being taken for calling a convention.

And whereas, the alteration of the great charter of our liberties, is a subject of the highest importance to the good people of this commonwealth, and ought not to be undertaken, unless it shall appear manifest to be the will of a majority of the citizens thereof; only a small portion of whom have expressed any opinion to this House upon the subject, and that portion appears to be nearly equally divided in opinion.

And whereas, the constitution points out, and defines the powers and the duties of the various departments of the government, and we recognize no principle therein which authorizes the legislature, or any branch thereof, to express opinions with respect to any supposed defects in said instrument, or to take any measures for amending the same; but, on the contrary, provision is made that the members of this House, as well as the other branches of government shall, before they enter on the duties of their respective stations, take a solemn oath or affirmation to support the constitution; from which obligation, nothing but the voice of a majority of the citizens of the commonwealth, unequivocally expressed, can exonerate them, therefore

Resolved, That it would be improper in this House, as a branch of the legislature, to take any measures, or to express any opinion upon the subject of the before mentioned petitions and memorials.

On the question to postpone, for the purpose of introducing it, the Yeas were 22-Nays 54.

The question on the original resolution then recurred. A motion was made to strike out the following words: 'altho the House of Representatives are impressed with the opinion that the constitution is defective yet'-

This was lost, only 22 members rising in favor of it.

The main question was then taken and the members voted as follows:

YEAS.-Messrs. Adams, Agnew, Alter, Acheson, Beale, Boileau, Boyd, Baken, Bucher, Bull, Crouch, Cunningham, Darlington, H. Davis, Dickinson, Epler, Fenton, Ferguson, Ferree, Findlay, Fulton, Goodman, Haines, Hall, Harrison, Hildase, Laycock, Lyle, M'Connel, M'Kinny, Mechling
Messrs. Mann, Marshall, D. Mitchell, J. Mitchell, Moore, Odenheim, Og, Patterson, Pearian, Rhoads, Raper, Schneider, Sharwood, S. Smiley, Stephenson, Tarr, Urie, Wilson, Whitman, and Snyder. Speaker.--51.

NAYS.--Messrs. Alhouse, Akers, Barnett, Clarke, M. Davis, Fox, Griss, Hallman, Hawkins, Ingram, Johnston, Latimore, M'Comb, Miller, Milnor, Peacock, Porter, Roberts, Robeson, Shriver, Spangler, Trimble, Weirich, Welles and White, 25.

What sub-type of article is it?

Politics

What keywords are associated?

Pennsylvania House Constitution Convention Legislative Debate Petitions Memorials Vote Resolution

What entities or persons were involved?

Boileau Findlay Leacock Mitchell Milnor Welles Miller Porter Ingram

Where did it happen?

Pennsylvania

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Pennsylvania

Event Date

On The 4th Inst.

Key Persons

Boileau Findlay Leacock Mitchell Milnor Welles Miller Porter Ingram

Outcome

substitute postponement defeated 22-54; motion to strike words lost 22 in favor; original resolution passed 51-25.

Event Details

The House debated a committee report on a convention to revise the constitution, supported by some members and opposed by others. A substitute resolution arguing against action due to divided opinions and oaths to the constitution was proposed but defeated. The original resolution, acknowledging defects, was affirmed after rejecting amendments.

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