of going into a caucus and making a selection of the man whom Democrats preferred. Equally old and wise with the saying quoted by the gentleman from Dodge was the remark of Mr. Jefferson that "majorities should rule." The territory has declared for the Democrats by a decided majority, and he wanted to see the principles of that party carried into the constitution they were about to frame. Any other in his opinion should be rejected. He closed by again moving that the convention do adjourn to ten o'clock tomorrow morning.-Argus, Oct. 6, 1846. The Chair appointed Messrs. Giddings and Noggle tellers to receive and canvass the votes. The ballots were then taken and counted when the tellers reported the whole number of votes given to be 93, of which D. A. J. Upham received 33; Marshall M. Strong 26; Moses M. Strong 20; William R. Smith 10; Richard R. Smith 1; Stoddard Judd 1; M. M. Strong 1; Blank 1. No person having received a majority of all the votes given, the Chair declared that no choice had been made. The convention then proceeded to a second ballot, and the votes having been taken and counted, the tellers reported the whole number of votes given to be 93, of which D. A. J. Upham received 44; Marshall M. Strong 24; Moses M. Strong 21; William R. Smith 2; Moses Meeker 1; Blank 1. No person having received a majority of all the votes given, the Chair declared that no choice had been made. Mr. Ryan moved that the convention adjourn, which was disagreed to. The convention then proceeded to a third ballot, and the votes having been taken and counted, the tellers reported the whole number of votes given to be 93, of which D. A. J. Upham received 43; Marshall M. Strong 25; Moses M. Strong 20; Moses Meeker 2; William R. Smith 1; Blank 2. No person having received a majority of all the votes given, the Chair declared that no choice had been made. Mr. Dennis moved that the convention adjourn, which was disagreed to. The convention then proceeded to a fourth ballot, and the votes having been taken and counted, the tellers reported the whole number of votes given to be 93, of which D. A. J. Upham received 52; Moses M. Strong 19; Marshall M. Strong 17; Moses Meeker 2; William R. Smith 2; Blank 1. D. A. J. Upham having received a majority of the whole number of votes upon the fourth ballot was declared duly elected president of the convention. Mr. Dennis moved that a committee of two be appointed to wait on the President-elect to his seat, which was agreed to. The Chair announced the appointment of Messrs. Dennis and A. Hyatt Smith as such committee. The President, after being conducted to his seat, rose and addressed the convention as follows: Gentlemen of the Convention: It is with deep feelings and sensibility that I tender you my thanks for the honor you have conferred in electing me to preside over your deliberations. It is on no ordinary occasion that we are assembled. We have before us the responsibility of framing the organic law of the future state of Wisconsin. Should we not approach the subject, then, with calmness and deliberation, with a disposition to harmonize, and a fixed determination to exert our best energies to frame such a work as shall be correct in principle and at the same time acceptable to the people. Constitutional law, like every other science, is progressive. That which fifty years ago was deemed wise by the best of men is now behind the age; within that period the oldest states in the Union have repeatedly found it necessary to change and modify their constitutions. We have their errors and their experience before us and it is our duty to profit by them. The greatest good to the greatest numbers should be the object in local legislation; and, as has been said by the great statesman of the age, "the blessings of government, like the dews of heaven, should be dispensed alike to the rich and poor." But this cannot be secured if legislatures are permitted to grant exclusive privileges by incorporating moneyed institutions, lessening the risks of the capitalist, and increasing his means of accumulating wealth which must come directly or indirectly from the labor and industry of the country. On most of the important principles and provisions to be incorporated in the constitution of Wisconsin, I presume, a large majority of this convention are united in feeling and opinion, and it is in harmonizing and arranging the details for carrying out these principles that we shall be called upon to exercise the greatest patience and forbearance. Gentlemen, it is some years since I have had any experience in the rules and parliamentary law that govern legislative bodies. In this respect I feel that I shall not do you justice as your presiding officer, and it is only by relying on the assistance of friends who have more recently and longer filled seats in our legislative halls that I can expect to succeed in performing the duties you have imposed upon me. That I shall often err is certain, for that is human, and this pledge only can I give you that my errors will be those of judgment and not of feeling and intention in arriving at correct decisions; and for these I shall ask, and confidently expect on your part, a liberal and kind indulgence. On motion of Moses M. Strong the convention adjourned. Mr. Elmore moved an adjournment. Withdrawn that Mr. Judd might inquire who were the committee on rules. He wished to meet the committee at nine o'clock tomorrow morning. He did not like to work at night. Thought he could accomplish enough in the daytime. The motion to adjourn till ten o'clock tomorrow was renewed and carried.-Democrat, Oct. 10, 1846. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1846 The journal of yesterday was read and corrected. Mr. Gray introduced the following resolution, which was read and on his motion laid on the table until tomorrow, to wit: "Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed with power to receive proposals and contract with [the] lowest and best bidder to do the incidental printing, and also for printing the journal of this convention, good and sufficient security being required for the faithful performance thereof." The reasons for this manner of procuring the printing of the convention were evident on the face. It was the most expeditious and practicable, and should be in practice. Other legislative bodies have adopted this method, and he [Mr. Gray] thought much time and expense would be saved thereby.— Democrat, Oct. 10, 1846. Mr. Dennis moved that the convention now proceed to the election of officers for the present session, commencing at the office of secretary, which was agreed to. Mr. Dennis suggested the laying aside of the resolution till after the election of the officers of the convention. Mr. Gray was not particular as to time; but when the subject of printing came up for consideration he should adhere to his resolution; and moved to lay it on the table.-Democrat, Oct. 10, 1846. Mr. Dennis was of opinion that this resolution might with propriety be laid aside for the present and taken up at some future time, when the organization of the convention should be more complete. To this Mr. Gray assented, with the understanding that it should be taken up on the first opportunity. The resolution was therefore laid on the table.-Express, Oct. 12, 1846. Moses M. Strong nominated La Fayette Kellogg for the office of secretary. Mr. Crawford nominated Wm. W. Treadway for the same office. The President appointed Messrs. Dennis and Moses M. Strong tellers to receive and canvass the votes. And the votes having been |