Page:Official Proceedings of the National Democratic Convention Held in Baltimore, July 9, 1872.pdf/9

Rh committees, such as a Committee on Credentials and a Committee on Organization, shall be appointed, then the delegations may name the persons they severally desire to have upon those committees. But, unless this be done, I am at a loss to see how we are to proceed.

. — Does the gentleman refer particularly to the two committees he has named?

Gov. .— As I understand, the Chair has ruled that there can be no adoption of rules for the Convention until the Convention is organized; and I ask how it can be known at present what States are represented and what are not?

. — When the Committee on Credentials reports, you will then know.

Gov., — But the Convention has not yet ordered the appointment of any Committee on Credentials. I desire that the Convention shall order the appointment of a Committee on Credentials and a Committee on Permanent Organization and that then we shall name the men to constitute those committees.

Mr., of Kansas. — In accordance with the views expressed by Governor Hoffman, I move that the Convention order two committees — a Committee on Credentials and a Committee on Permanent Organization; each committee to consist of one member from every State.

, interposing. — And a Committee on Resolutions.

Mr. .— We do not want any such committee yet. I have framed my motion in the form of a resolution, which I send to the Clerk.

The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

Resolved, That this Convention do now appoint the following standing committees: First, a Committee on Credentials; second, a Committee on Permanent Organization.

The resolution was adopted.

Mr., of Massachusetts. — It strikes me we have not proceeded aright. The first thing in order is a call of the States. I move such a call.

. — A resolution of that kind has already been adopted.

Mr., of Mississippi. — I think that the motion of the gentleman from Kansas was not complete. It ought to have gone a step farther. It ought to have provided that upon the call of the States the Chairman of the delegation from each State should present a list of the delegates from his State; and then I would suggest, if it appears there are no contested delegations, the returns made by the Chairman of the respective delegations might supersede altogether the necessity for a Committee on Credentials. The report made by the Chairman of each delegation would be equivalent to the re