The PRESIDENT then announced that he should nominate Mr. PORTER, of Northampton, to act as President pro tem. during his absence from the Convention for a few days.

On motion, the Convention adjourned.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19.

The PRESIDENT laid before the Convention the returns and credentials of EBENEZER W. STURDEVANT, a delegate from the county of Luzerne, in the room of W. SWETLAND, resigned.

Mr. MANN submitted the following resolution, viz :

Resolved, That from and after this day, the Convention will commence its sessions at nine o'clock in the morning of each day, (Sundays excepted,) and also hold afternoon sessions, commencing at half past three o'clock, until otherwise ordered, subject to the above exceptions.

Mr. MANN moved the second reading and consideration of this resolution, but the motion was rejected-ayes 41-nays 42.

Mr. THOMAS, submitted the following resolution, viz:

Resolved, That when this Convention shall adjourn, it shall adjourn to meet again at nine o'clock to-morrow morning, and that such shall be the standing hour for meeting until otherwise ordered.

Mr. THOMAS called the second reading and consideration of this resolution, which was agreed to, and the question being on its adoption;

Mr. FULLER demanded the yeas and nays which are ordered.

Mr. READ moved to amend the resolution by adding to the end thereof, the words, "will each day take a recess from one until three o'clock. Mr. MANN demanded the yeas and nays on this motion, and they were ordered.

The question was then taken on the motion of Mr. READ, and decided in the affirmative, as follows;

YEAS-Messrs. Agnew, Bedford, Biddle, Bonham, Brown, of Lancaster, Chambers, Clarke, of Beaver, Clark, of Dauphin, Coates, Crawford, Crum, Curll, Darlington, Dickerson, Dillinger, Donagan, Fuller, Gearhart, Gilmore, Harris, Hastings, Hayhurst, Hays, Henderson, of Allegheny, Henderson, of Dauphin, Hiester, High, Hyde, Keim, Kennedy, Kerr, Krebs Magee, Mann, Martin, M'Cahen, M'Call, M'Sherry, Merkel, Montgomery, Myers, Pennypacker, Pollock, Purviance, Read, Ritter, Royer, Seager, Scheetz, Scott, Sellers, Seltzer, Smith, Smyth, Snively, Stickel, Tagart, Thomas

-58.

NAYS-Messrs. Banks, Barclay, Barnitz, Bell, Bigelow, Brown, of Northampton, Brown, of Philadelphia, Carey, Chandler, of Philadelphia, Chauncey, Clarke, of Indiana, Cleavinger, Cline, Cochran, Cope, Craig, Crain Cummin, Cunningham, Dunlop, Farrelly, Forward, Foulkrod, Fry, Helffenstein, Hopkinson, Houpt, Ingersoll, Jenks, Konigmacher, Long, M'Dowell, Meredith, Merrill, Nevin, Overfield, Porter, of Lancaster, Reigart, Ritter, Rogers, Russell, Shellito, Stevens, Weaver, Weidman, Woodward, Young, Porter, President pro tem-48.

Mr. M'CAHEN moved to postpone the further consideration of the reso

Mr. DARLINGTON demanded the yeas and nays on this motion, and they were ordered.

The question was then taken, and decided in the negative, as follows, viz :

YEAS-Messrs. Banks, Barclay, Barnitz, Bell, Bigelow, Brown, of Northampton, Brown, of Philadelphia, Carey, Chambers, Chandler, of Philadelphia, Chauncey Clarke, of Indiana, Cleavenger, Cline, Cochran, Craig, Cope, Cummin, Cunningham, Farrelly, Forward, Foulkrod, Fry, Hastings, Helffenstein, Hopkinson, Houpt, Ingersoll, Konigmacher, Krebs, Magee, Martin, M'Cahen, M'Dowell, Meredith, Merrill, Nevin, Overfield, Porter, of Lancaster, Reigart, Riter, Rogers, Russell, Shellito, Taggart, Weaver, Weidman, Woodward, Young, Porter, of Northampton, President pro tem.

-50.

NAYS-Messrs. Agnew, Bedford, Biddle, Bonham, Brown, of Lancaster, Clarke, of Beaver, Clark, of Dauphin, Coates, Crain, Crawford, Crum, Curll, Darlington, Dickerson, Dillinger, Donagan, Dunlop, Fuller, Gearhart, Gilmore, Harris, Hayhurst, Hays,Henderson, of Allegheny, Henderson, of Dauphin, Hiester, High, Hyde, Keim, Kennedy, Kerr, Lyons, Mann, M'Call, M'Sherry, Merkel, Montgomery, Myers, Pennypacker, Pollock, Purviance, Read, Ritter, Rogers, Saeger, Scheetz, Scott, Sellers, Smith, Smyth, Snively, Stevens, Stickel, Thomas-56.

Mr. CHAMBERS moved to amend the resolution by inserting in the first line after the word "that," the words "on, and after Monday next," and in the second line to strike out the words, "to-morrow morning," which was agreed to-yeas 57-nays 28.

Mr. HIESTER moved to amend the resolution by striking ont "nine" and inserting "ten," which was negatived without a count.

The question recurring on the resolution as amended, a division of the question was called for by Mr. MERRILL, and the question being taken on the first branch of the resolution, it was adopted in the following form,

viz :

Resolved, That on, and after Monday next, when this Convention shall adjourn, it shall adjourn to meet again at nine o'clock, and that such shall be the standing hour for meeting until otherwise ordered.

Mr. MANN then demanded the yeas and nays on the second branch of the resolution and they were ordered. The question was then taken on the second division, viz : "and will each day take a recess from one till three o'clock," and decided in the affirmative, as follows, viz :

YEAS-Messrs. Agnew, Banks, Bedford, Biddle, Bonham, Brown, of Lancaster, Carey, Chambers, Clarke, of Beaver, Clark, of Dauphin, Cline, Coates, Cope, Crawford, Crum, Cummin, Curll, Darlington, Dickerson, Dillinger, Donagan, Fuller, Gearhart, Gilmore, Harris, Hastings, Hayhurst, Hays, Henderson, of Allegheny, Henderson, of Dauphin, Hiester, High, Keim, Kennedy, Kerr, Lyons, Magee, Mann, M'Call, M'Sherry, Merkel, Montgomery, Myers, Pennypacker, Pollock, Purviance, Read, Ritter, Rogers, Russell, Saeger, Scheetz, Scott, Sellers, Seltzer, Smith, Smyth, Snively, Stevens, Taggart, Thomas-62.

NAYS-Messrs. Barnitz, Bell, Bigelow, Brown, of Northampton, Brown, of Philadelphia, Chandler, of Philadelphia, Chauncey, Clarke, of Indiana, Cleavinger, Coch ran, Craig, Crain, Cunningham, Dunlop, Farrelly, Forward, Foulkrod, Fry, Helffenstein, Hopkinson, Houpt, Hyde, Ingersoll, Jenks, Konigmacher, Martin, M'Cahen, M'Dowell, Meredith, Merrill, Överfield, Porter, of Lancaster, Reigart, Riter, Rogers, Shellitto, Weaver, Weidman, Woodward, Young, Porter, of Northampton, President pro tem.-41.

So the resolution was agreed to.

Mr. BROWN, of Piladelphia county, offered the following resolution, which was laid on the table one day for consideration:

Resolved, That all questions relating to the hour of meeting and adjournment from

Mr. BELL, offered the following resolution, which was considered and disagreed to:

Resolved, That the Convention do now proceed to the election of a Secretary, to supply the vacancy created by the resignation of Mr. SAMUEL GILMORE."

Mr. HASTINGS moved that two additional members be added to the committee on accounts, and also one to fill the place of Mr. SWETLAND, resigned.

The PRESIDENT, pro tem, then appointed Mr. STURDEVANT, to supply Mr. Swetland's place, and also Messrs. OVERFIELD and DILLINGER members of said committee.

The following resolution offered by Mr. REIGART yesterday, was taken up for consideration.

Resolved, That not more than one hour of any day shall be devoted to the considerations of motions and resolutions."

The resolution having been read a second time,

Mr. STEVENS Suggested that the terms of the resolution should not extend to resolutions reported from committees.

Mr. REIGART acquiesced in the suggestion.

Mr. CHAMBERS Suggested that the resolution be so modified as to embrace only "resolutions already reported."

Mr. BROWN, of Philadelphia county, knew of none to be reported. The resolution had better remain as it was.

Mr. STEVENS observed that there was now a resolution on file, of as much importance, as any that could come up for consideration, and which should be tested in that shape. He alluded to the resolution relative to annulling contracts. He trusted that when it should come up, there would be such an expression of opinion upon it that the people of this Commonwealth as well as the whole civilized world, might learn what are our sentiments on so important and vital a subject. He would be sorry to see debate cut off without having had any opportunity of discussing it. Gentleman knew that the previous question would cut off unnecessary debate, he therefore hoped that this rule would not be adopted.

Mr. BELL asked what was the character of the resolution?

Mr. STEVENS said that he alluded to a resolution on file to annul the charter of the Bank of the United States.

Mr. REIGART said that he intended to "except resolutions already on file," and modified the resolution accordingly.

Mr. BROWN, of Philadelphia county, remarked that there were no less than one hundred and six resolutions on file, and in order to test the sense of the Convention as to whether they were disposed to consider resolutions which had not immediate reference to amending the Constitution, he would move to strike out the exception of resolutions on file, so that one hour every day should be devoted to the consideration of resolutions, no matter what their character might be. He would not go so far as to say that there were not resolutions here, entitled to precedence, and of the greatest importance. What he meant to say was, that he conceived it to be the duty of the members of this Convention, especially to act upon such resolutions as immediately related to amendments to the Constitution. And the resolution, to which the gentleman from Adams, (Mr. Stevens,) had alluded, when it should come up, as an amendment to the Constitution, would

Mr. FULLER, of Fayette, asked if a committee had been appointed, or whether any report had been made on the subject of the resolution.

The CHAIR said that the resolution had not been acted on.

Mr. STEVENS remarked that the resolution to which he referred was No. 7. It was introduced by a gentleman from the county of Philadelphia. He, (Mr. S.) thought it would be a proper test question, as to whether the Convention were disposed to appoint a committee to consider the subject. He, for one, was desirous that it should be considered, and if the mover of the resolution did not call it up before the end of the session, he (Mr. Stevens,) would do it for him, in order that a solemn decision of the people of Pennsylvania, might be had on this very important subject that it might go forth to the world, how far authority was like to be given to the Legislature to interfere, or overthrow contracts solemnly entered into. If there existed an intention to get rid of the resolution, he would, to prevent that result, bring it on in the shape of an amendment. He would repeat, that he deemed this subject one of too much importance, not only to the State, but to the whole commercial and monied world, to allow it to be passed over, without having the decision of this body on it.

Mr. DARLINGTON, of Chester, said that he was not disposed to throw any restraint upon our actions. He could see no good reason why we should preclude ourselves from considering a resolution, although more than an hour should be occupied in doing so. He was altogether opposed to this resolution, because he thought we should proceed with business much better without it.

Mr. BROWN, of Philadelphia county, said that he felt no other desire than to expedite the business before us as much as possible; but, he thought, that to bestow one hour a day to the consideration of resolutions would be sufficient, and four or five hours would remain to be devoted to subjects of importance. We had, this day, already occupied an hour and a quarter in debating this matter. He entertained the opinion that resolutions only which looked to amendments to be incorporated in the Constition, ought to claim so much of the time of the Convention. They should command not only four-fifths of our time, but the whole of it. The principle reason for fixing one hour for the consideration of resolutions, was to prevent the disagreeable necessity of calling the previous question for the purpose of putting an end to debate. He thought the adoption of a rule of this sort, would be salutary in its effects, and much time would be saved by it. Mr. B. moved to strike out the words, "except resolutions already on file."

Mr. CHAMBERS, of Franklin, remarked that the object of the mover of the resolution was a good one-to expedite and facilitate the business of the Convention. He, Mr. C. believed that some rule was necessary to limit the action of the body, to the more important business before it. It did appear to him, however, that by the resolution, as now modified, we should gain nothing. The terms of it were, that not more than one hour shall be devoted to the consideration of resolutions, except those on file. There were, at this time, no less thau one hundred and seven resolutions on file, and all of them, in the opinion of those by whom they were introduced, of importance. By the resolution in question, then, all these

many of them would consume a good deal. With regard to motions, it was for the Convention to take them up or not. Believing that the object which the gentleman had in view, would not be attained, he moved that the further consideration of the resolution be postponed for the present. Mr. M'CAHEN, of Philadelphia_county, concurred in the remarks of the gentleman from Chester, (Mr. Darlington,) for he did not see any ne cessity at all for the resolution. He, therefore, did vote that it be postponed. The Convention could easily, if they chose to do so, get rid of debate on resolutions. He could not believe that business would be facilitated by the adoption of the resolution. In regard to the resolution referred to by the gentleman from Adams, (Mr. Stevens,) he would merely say that he thought the whole subject would be brought forward in another shape, when the question of the Legislative power should come up. The subject of vested rights, would then be discussed, and an opportunity would be afforded the gentleman of calling the resolution up.

Mr. STEVENS moved to amend the motion to postpone the resolution by inserting the word "indefinitely." The question was then taken on the motion, and agreed to, and the resolution was then postponed indefi nitely.

SIXTH ARTICLE.

The Convention again resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. CHAMBERS in the chair, on the report of the committee to whom was referred the sixth article of the Constitution.

Mr. READ, of Susquehanna, moved to amend the report, by inserting a new section, to be called "section sixth," as follows, viz:

SECT. 6. An Auditor General and an Attorney General, shall be elected by the joint vote of the members of both houses of the Legislature, for the term of two years. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the Governor, to continue until successor shall be elected as aforesaid.

Mr. R. observed that it was not his intention to go into a debate on the subject. These matters had been so long before us, that every gentleman must have made up his mind on them. He would ask for the yeas and nays on the question, and leave it to its fate.

Mr. DENNY, of Allegheny, said that he could have wished to have heard some good reason alleged for the change proposed by the gentleman from Susquehanna, (Mr. Read.) He (Mr. D.) had supposed that from the character of the duties of the Attorney General, and the fact of the Governor having to consult him frequently, that he would have been permitted to choose his own Attorney General. It was his opinion that those officers should act harmoniously, and that the Executive should have every confidence in him. He knew not what to say in relation to the Auditor General. The office was one of much importance and the duties were very laborious.

The Legislature had not hitherto chosen any public officers, except a State Treasurer, and bank directors, and in their appointments they had been not so successful as to render it desirable that they should have more to make. These officers had, as every one knew, been chosen generally more in reference to political influence, than to their peculiar qualification for the duties which they had to discharge. He would be sorry to see