JOURNAL

OCTOBER 5, 1846

Pursuant to an act of the legislature of the territory of Wisconsin, entitled "An Act in relation to the formation of a state government in Wisconsin," approved January 31, 1846, a majority of the delegates elected to the convention to form a state constitution under the provisions of the said act assembled at the capitol at Madison, on the fifth day of October, 1846 at twelve o'clock, M.

William R. Smith, delegate from Iowa County, called the convention to order, and having called over the roll of the members elected, as returned by the secretary of the territory, the following gentlemen appeared and answered to their names and took their seats as such delegates, to wit:

Whereupon, a quorum being in attendance, A. Hyatt Smith moved that Moses M. Strong be appointed president pro tempore, which was agreed to.

Mr. Crawford moved that William W. Treadway be appointed secretary pro tempore, which was agreed to.

Mr. Noggle moved that Hiram Taylor be appointed assistant secretary pro tempore, which was agreed to.

Mr. Dennis moved that John Starkweather be appointed sergeant at arms pro tempore, which was agreed to.

Mr. Bevans moved that William Kirkpatrick be appointed doorkeeper pro tempore, which was agreed to.

Mr. Graham moved that Henry Brown be appointed messenger pro tempore, which was agreed to.

Mr. Baker introduced the following resolution, which was read, to wit: "Resolved, That a committee of five members be appointed to examine the credentials of members and to report thereon at three o'clock, P. M."

Mr. Ryan moved to amend the said resolution by striking out the words "three o'clock, P. M.," and inserting "nine o'clock tomorrow" in lieu thereof, which was disagreed to.

The Chair announced the appointment of the following committee under said resolution, to wit: Messrs. Baker, Ryan, Meeker, Cruson, and Huebschmann.

The convention then adjourned until three o'clock, P. M.

THREE O'CLOCK, P. M.

A. Hyatt Smith introduced the following resolution, which was read, to wit: "Resolved, That the rules of the Council of the territory at the last session be adopted as the rules for the government of this convention so far as the same are applicable, until others are adopted." Mr. Judd moved that the said resolution be laid upon the table. Mr. Judd introduced the following resolution, which was read and adopted, to wit: "Resolved, That a committee of seven be appointed to draft rules for the government of this convention." The Chair announced the appointment of the following committee under said resolution, to wit: Messrs. Judd, Marshall M. Strong, Wm. R. Smith, Baker, Doty, Baird, and Elmore.

William R. Smith introduced the following resolution, which was read and adopted, to wit: "Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to report the number of officers necessary for the government and business of this convention." The Chair announced the appointment of the following committee under said resolution, to wit: Messrs. Upham, Madden, and John Y. Smith.

Mr. Agry introduced the following resolution, which was read, to wit: "Resolved, That a committee of be appointed by the Chair to ascertain the number of standing committees necessary for the business of the convention, to report the same with their respective designations and duties." Mr. Kellogg moved that the said resolution be laid upon the table, which was agreed to.

The committee to whom was referred the subject of examining and reporting upon the credentials of the delegates elected to this convention reported, "That as appears by the certificates and entries of the clerks of the boards of county commissioners and county supervisors of the respective counties, so far as the committee have been enabled to obtain and examine the same, all the delegates returned as elected by the secretary of the territory are entitled to seats as members of this convention except Rufus Parks, delegate from Waukesha County, who had not obtained his certificate of election from the clerk of the board of supervisors of his county." The report was accepted, and the committee discharged.

Mr. Elmore moved that Rufus Parks, a member elect from Waukesha County, who was reported by the committee as not having produced his credentials, be admitted to his seat, which was agreed to.

Mr. Baird introduced the following resolution, which was read and adopted, to wit: "Resolved, That a majority of the whole number of members present shall be necessary to the choice of officers of this convention."

Mr. Upham, from the committee appointed to report the number and description of officers necessary for the government of the convention, reported as follows, to wit: "The undersigned, a committee appointed to report the number of officers necessary to govern this convention, beg leave to report: That they have had the subject under consideration, and recommend the election of the following officers, to wit: One president of the convention, one secretary, one assistant secretary, one sergeant at arms, two doorkeepers, two messengers, and one fireman; and for carrying out the object of this report they recommend the adoption of the following resolution, to wit: 'Resolved, That the convention elect as officers to govern their proceedings one president of the convention, one secretary, one assistant secretary, one sergeant at arms, two doorkeepers, two messengers, and one fireman.' The report was accepted, and the committee discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

Mr. Baker moved to amend the report of the committee by striking out the word "two" before doorkeepers, and insert [ing] the word "one" in lieu thereof, which was disagreed to. The report of the committee was then adopted.

Mr. Baker moved an amendment-insert "one" before the word "doorkeepers," instead of "two." That as there were but two doors the sergeant at arms with one doorkeeper was sufficient to secure all the necessary attendance; and that as a matter of economy this convention should dispense with all unnecessary officers.

Mr. J. Y. Smith said it was desirable to encourage a spirit of economy, but that whenever an important question was to be taken the sergeant at arms, if any of the members were ab