Actas de la Asamblea Constituyente de Bogotá. Sesiones de Noviembre 10,12,13,14,15,16

Abstract

The image contains a news item that details the minutes of the Sessions of the Constituent Assembly from November 10 to 16. For this by appointmentIn the city of Bogotá, the Constituent Assembly opened on November 10, 1855 at eleven in the morning. The session began with the presence of most of its members, except for some who arrived a few minutes later. The minutes of the previous session were approved and signed and different proposals were read, including a draft ordinance for the provision of municipal positions and the repair and establishment of several buildings. A draft resolution to raise funds for infrastructure work was also discussed. Another proposal presented was to request the Executive Branch to reconsider the possibility of reforming the country's Constitution, which the province of Bogotá did not see as necessary to improve the well-being of the country, but was still open to the option of federalism. While in a later session, the Constituent Assembly continued to discuss draft ordinances and resolutions related to the infrastructure and functioning of the province. The idea of ​​not reforming the Constitution unless there was a clear consensus within the nation was also reinforced. On the other hand, there were more discussions about the acceptance of federalism and projects were presented that promoted the reform of the Constitution and the decentralization of power, marking a milestone in the history of the province of Bogotá. Finally, the session adjourned after discussing all these issues. During these sessions, of the Constituent Assembly of Bogotá in 1855, the debates and decisions that marked a crucial moment in the history of the province are reflected, establishing the bases for its political and social future. Mr. Juan Antonio Pardo set the following proposition: The Constituent Assembly of the province of Bogotá considers that it is not advisable to constitutionally destroy the great political body that Nature, reason and the general interest created and kept together for the common happiness of its members . It is considered necessary to expand the municipal Power and reform the Constitution in the sense of adding clarity and precision to the current institutions, as well as reducing the political entities to a short number that does not exceed nine and allowing the States to provide what is convenient to them. relating to criminal legislation, organization of courts and judicial procedures.In the meeting, Mr. Ospina modified this proposal, adding that the States could have the functions of agents of the national Government and that greater clarity and precision be given to the current institutions. This modification was voted on and denied, so the original proposal was maintained. At the next meeting of the Constituent Assembly, the discussion was on the creation of a political body that would allow for the expansion of municipal power and reform of the Constitution in the sense of adding clarity and precision to the current institutions. There was also discussion about reducing political entities to a small number and allowing States to make appropriate arrangements regarding criminal legislation, organization of courts and judicial procedures. There was a proposal to suspend the discussion of the project that establishes the income of the province and report on its convenience to the Director of the Savings Bank. This proposal was adopted. Subsequently, the draft municipal Constitution was discussed, where the reconsideration of the preamble introduced in the last discussion and of article 5 of the project was proposed. Finally, the territorial division project was discussed and several articles were adopted that establish the electoral and judicial circuits for different districts. The session ended with the election of the President and Vice President of the Constituent Assembly. Pedro Fernández Madrid was elected as President and Juan Antonio Pardo as Vice President, despite some votes in which a clear majority was not achieved. In the end, a draw was held to define a tiebreaker and thus elect the Vice President. Finally, a commission is appointed to draft and present to the vote of the Assembly a request addressed to the National Legislature, requesting the modification of the limits between the provinces of Bogotá and Mariquita. In addition, several propositions related to the resignation of a representative, the request for credit for printing and draft ordinances on provincial taxes and contributions were discussed and approved. A draft ordinance on the continuity of certain employees in the exercise of their duties was also discussed. The session of the Constituent Assembly of 1853 culminated in the approval of several proposals and the discussion of several projects related to the provincial government. News Published in El Repertorio on December 13, 1855