Thursday, January 23, 1868
The Convention was called to order on Thursday at 11 o’clock, Mr. Pres. Cowles in the Chair.
Very little business was conducted today of lasting interest.
The resolution of Mr. Tourgee to add Public Charities to the Committee on Penal Institutions was adopted.
Governor Worth sent a message to the convention in which he stated that “it seems to me it would be improper, if not indecorous, that I present to you any view of mine touching the object for which you are assembled, unless in response to a specific inquiry…May a superintending Providence inspire you with wisdom to conduct your labors to results beneficial to our unhappy and distracted people.”
After conducting other minor business, on motion the Convention adjourned.
Resources
Ferrell, Joseph, ed., Compilation of the Official Report of the Proceedings of the Convention (Chapel Hill, N.C.: unpublished manuscript 2007). (See day 8 for fuller explanation of this resource.)
Note that combining penal institutions and charities would not have been an unusual concept. Concerns about their role in society was similar for people who committed crimes or were “unfortunate” due to disability or otherwise.
