MINUTES OF JOINT MEETING. In JOINT-MEETING, October 25, 1839. The Council and General Assembly met in the Assembly Room, and proceeded to the choice of a Chairman for the present session, when JOSEPH PORTER, Esq. was unanimously chosen, and accordingly took the Chair. Robert E. Hornor, was unanimously appointed Secretary of the Joint Meeting. The following Rules were adopted for the government of Joint Meeting: 66 1. That the election of State Officers during the present session, be viva voce, unless when otherwise ordered. 2. That the Chairman attend carefully to the preservation of order and regularity in transacting the business of the Joint Meeting, and that he shall not engage in any debate, or propose his opinion on any question, without leave of the Joint Meeting. 3. That every member when he speaks shall stand up in his place, and address himself to the Chair. 4. That in all debates and proceedings the members observe the strictest decorum, and that if any one use indecent expressions, or utter any personal reflections, or otherwise offend herein, he be censured according to the nature and aggravation of the offence. 5. That no debate ensue or question be put on a motion unless it be seconded, when it shall be open to debate, and the same receive a determination by the question, unless it be laid aside by the Joint Meeting, or a motion be made to amend it, to postpone it, or for the previous question. 6. The previous question shall be in this form," Shall the main question be now put?" and, until decided, shall preclude all amendment and further debate on the main question. 7. If any motion contain more than one simple question, any member may have it divided into as many parts as there are distinct questions if seconded in his motion. 8. That no member speak more than twice on the same subject in the same debate, without leave of the Joint Meeting. 9. That all questions of order be determined by the Chairman, subject to an appeal to the Joint Meeting when demanded by four members. 10. That when two or more members rise to speak nearly at the same time, the Chairman shall decide who shall speak first. 11. When any question is stated, and by the Joint Meeting agreed to be put, no member shall be at liberty to withhold his vote without the leave of the Joint Meeting. 12. The names of the members voting, and for whom they have voted, shall be entered on the minutes, if moved for and seconded, and that the yeas and nays shall be entered upon the Journal on every question taken in the Joint Meeting, other than questions of appointment, when moved for and seconded by five members, except the vote be unanimous. 13. That the Joint Meeting may adjourn when the list of nominations is not gone through with. 14. That appointments or re-appointments may be made without resignations, or the commissions being expired, if the commissions of the persons in office shall expire the same sitting, or within two months thereafter, provided, that where a new appointment is made, the person so appointed shall not be considered as in commission until the expiration of the commission of the former person whose place it is to supply. 15. That in all questions the Chairman of the Joint Meeting be called upon to vote in his turn as one of Representatives in Council or Assembly, but that he have no casting vote as Chairman." The following nominations were then made. GOVERNOR. The names of William Pennington, Henry A. Ford, James S. Green, and Samuel R. Hamilton being on nomination, The Secretary, by direction of the Chairman, proceeded to call the Joint Meeting, and the votes were |