Published Convention Minutes

Published Convention Minutes

Convention minutes

Convention Minutes

California Digital Newspaper Collection

Sacramento Daily Union

1855-11-22

Newspaper article

SECOND DAY—MORNING SESSION. The Convention met at 10 o'clock, A. M. yesterday, pursuant to adjournment, the President in the chair. The proceedings were opened by the reading of the 104th Psalm, and the offering of a prayer by the Chaplain. Geo. Morton, of El Dorado, presented his credentials and was admitted to a seat. The rules of the Convention were then read. W. H. Newby, chairman of the Business Committee, reported a series of resolutions embracing the general objects and purposes of the Convention. Mr. Townsend submitted a series of resolutions as sustitutes for the above, and moved their adoption. After discussion, the latter resolutions were referred to the Business Committee with instructions to annex them to those submitted by them, and report at the afternoon session. On motion of Mr. Collins, it was ordered that persons having business to lay before the Convention shall first submit the same to the Business Committee. The Business Committee then retired to deliberate on their report, and, during their absence, Mr. Stokes addressed the Convention advocating the engagement of colored people in mining and agricultural pursuits, and presenting statistics of the extent to which they are already employed in those occupations. The chairman of the Business Committee reported back the several series of resolutions above recommitted, and their report was received. The Convention then adjourned till 4 o'clock, P.M.

AFTERNOON SESSION. President Yates in the Chair. The preamble and resolutions submitted by the Business Committee were read by the Chairman, and having been previously fully discussed, were on motion, adopted as reported. Mr. Collins submitted a resolution for the appointment of a committee of five to procure the publication of the proceedings of the Convention. The resolution was adopted, and Messrs. Sanderson, Newby, Collins, Wilson and Stokes, were appointed said committee. A resolution, submitted by Mr. Townsend, for the appointment of a committee of seven to collect statistics in regard to the colored people of the State, their numbers, occupations, property, number of children, churches, schools, &c., &e,[/unclear] was adopted, and the following appointed said committee: : J. H. Townsend, C. H. MacDougal, E. P. Duplex, H. M. Collins, J. H. Morris, M. W. Gibbs and J. R. Starkey. On motion, it was ordered that a tax of $ 2.50 50 be levied on each delegate, to be applied in defraying the expense of publishing the proceedings of the Convention, and that each delegate be furnished with five copies of the proceedings when published. On motion of Mr. Gilliard, one person in each county was appointed to circulate petitions and procure signatures thereto, to be submitted to the next Legislature, praying for a modification of the law in regard to the admission of the testimony of colored persons in Courts of Justice, to admit the same. A resolution, offered by Mr. Moore, for the appointment of a committee of two to prepare an address to the colored people of the State, urging the importance of their sending their children to school, was adopted, and J. J. Moore and T. M. D. Ward appointed to said Committee. The Chairman of the Business Committee then presented a draft of a petition designed for circulation throughout the State, and presentation to the Legislature as above provided. The draft was approved. Mr. Townsend offered a resolution that a State Executive Committee of ten to be appointed, who Executive Committee of ten be appointed, who shall reside in San Francisco, Sacramento and Marysville, shall act in conjunction with the State Committee, and be the medium of communication between this Convention and the Legislature. The resolution was adopted, and the Committee appointed. The Convention then adjourned till 10 o'clock, A. M., this morning.

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1855.CA-11.20.SACR