Mr. CHITTENDEN:—We who represent smaller States intend to be very modest here, but you will need our votes when you seek to place new and important limitations upon a Constitution with which we are now satisfied. I will answer for one State, and tell you that she will not listen to a proposition that comes to her with a taint of suspicion about it. If you will not allow her representatives to participate in the examination and discussion of these propositions here, her people will reject them without discussion, if they are ever called to act on them. She has not occupied the time of this Conference for one minute upon the general subject. She may not wish to do so. I submit whether it is wise for you to cut off her right to be heard here, if she chooses to exercise it.
Mr. RANDOLPH:—I agree with the gentleman from Tennessee, that we came here to act and not to talk. We have had talking enough, perhaps too much already. I have drawn up a resolution which I think covers the whole subject, I move its adoption. The resolution was read as follows:
Resolved, That this Convention will hold two sessions daily, viz., from ten o'clock, a.m., to four o'clock, p.m.; and from eight to ten o'clock, p.m.; and that no motion to adjourn prior to said hours of four and ten, p.m., shall be in order, if objection be made; and that on Thursday next, at twelve o'clock, noon, all debate shall cease, and the Convention proceed to vote upon the questions or propositions before them in their order.
The President commenced a statement of the various propositions relating to the subject now pending, when Mr. Alexander moved to lay the whole subject on the table.
The motion to lay on the table was negatived by the following vote:—ayes, 48; nays, 54.
Mr. GOODRICH:—I call for the division of the question.
The PRESIDENT:—So many motions have been made that it is somewhat difficult to decide, by the rules of Parliamentary law, which is in order.
I will divide the questions as follows:
1st. Will the Conference hold two sessions daily?
2d. Shall the debate be closed on Thursday at twelve o'clock?