Mr Read doubted the propriety of leaving the appointment of the Militia officers in the States. In some States they are elected by the Legislatures; in others by the people themselves. He thought at least an appointment by the State Executives ought to be insisted on.
On committing to the grand Committee last appointed, the latter motion of Col. Mason, & the original one revived by Gel Pinkney
N. H. ay. Mas. ay. Ct no. N. J. no. Pa ay. Del. ay. Md divd. Va ay. N. C. ay. S. C. ay. Geo. ay.
Adjourned.
Monday August 20. in Convention
Mr Pinkney submitted to the House, in order to be referred to the Committee of detail, the following propositions–"Each House shall be the judge of its own privileges, and shall have authority to punish by imprisonment every person violating the same, or who, in the place where the Legislature may be sitting and during the time of its Session, shall threaten any of its members for any thing said or done in the House; or who shall assault any of them therefor–or who shall assault or arrest any witness or other person ordered to attend either of the Houses in his way going or returning; or who shall rescue any person arrested by their order."
"Each branch of the Legislature, as well as the supreme Executive shall have authority to require the opinions of the supreme Judicial Court upon important questions of law, and upon solemn occasions."
"The privileges and benefit of the Writ of Habeas corpus shall be enjoyed in this Government in the most expeditious and ample manner; and shall not be suspended by the Legislature except upon the most urgent and pressing occasions, and for a limited time not exceeding –— months."
"The liberty of the Press, shall be inviolably preserved."