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So I took the liberty after having recalled
some conversations after we first handled
the Torcaso case, and talked to some people
who have been making a study of this issue,
and the point we finally came to was that
the expression, "In the presence of Al-
mighty God," where it is put, would have
the tendency to flow into that first sen-
tence and might be more considered by the
court to be part of the oath than the tra-
ditional phrase added at the end, "So help
me God."
Then it was cited to me that there have
been some cases, I do not believe any of
them are too recent, that have concerned
themselves with the exclamation at the end
of the oath, "So help me God," which have
held that they do not go to the body of the
oath and that if left off or ignored do not
affect the oath which was taken. While at
first blush it might look as if there is not a
difference, there is in truth a difference,
and it is for this reason that I recommend
this amendment. And I hope there is not a
pride of authorship or anything else that
would be involved, because I thought if it
made any sense I would have said "So help
me Almighty God." I do not think it fits.
I think I am trying to give the oppor-
tunity to the same people to make the same
statement under the same circumstances,
but in a way that might be less susceptible
to any problems in the future.
THE PRESIDENT: Does any other dele-
gate desire to speak in opposition to the
amendment?
(There was no response.)
Does any other delegate desire to speak?
Are you ready fer the question ?
(Call for the question.)
The question arises on the adoption of
Amendment No. 2. A vote Aye — Delegate
Storm.
DELEGATE STORM: Is it too late for
me just to say one sentence?
THE PRESIDENT: Proceed.
DELEGATE STORM: I really think that
this is a significant amendment because to
start it "In the presence of Almighty God,"
emphasizes a God forever, a God that is
punishing; while to put it at the end — and
I am sincere in this — I think it means,
please help me to do this, God; and there
you really are expressing your faith, rather
than your fear. I think it is important.
THE PRESIDENT: Are you ready for
the question?
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(Call for the question.)
The question arises on the adoption of
Amendment No. 2 to Committee Recom-
mendation GP-2, as amended by Report
S&D-4.
A vote Aye is a vote in favor of the
amendment. A vote No is a vote against.
Cast your votes.
Has every delegate voted? Does any dele-
gate desire to change his vote?
(There was no response.)
The Clerk will record the vote.
There being 52 votes in the affirmative
and 67 in the negative, the motion is lost.
The amendment is rejected.
The Chair has no further amendments to
Committee Recommendation GP-2. Are
there any? The Chair hears none.
The question arises on the adoption of
Committee Recommendation GP-2, as
amended.
Are you ready for the question?
(Call for the question.)
The question arises on the adoption of
Committee Recommendation GP-2, as
amended.
A vote Aye is a vote in favor of Recom-
mendation GP-2. A vote No is a vote
against.
Cast your votes.
Has every delegate voted? Does any dele-
gate desire to change his vote?
(There was no response.)
The Clerk will record the vote.
There being 89 votes in the affirmative
and 33 in the negative, the motion carries.
Committee Recommendation GP-2 as
amended, is adopted.
The Chair recognizes Delegate Powers,
Chairman of the Committee on Calendar and
Agenda.
DELEGATE POWERS: Mr. President, I
move the Convention resolve itself into the
Committee of the Whole for the purpose of
considering general orders of the day.
TJIE PRESIDENT: For what purpose
does Delegate Johnson rise?
DELEGATE JOHNSON: Mr. President,
for the purpose of moving for reconsidera-
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