Henry Larkin

Candidate Biography:

Born: January 2, 1826 at Oneida Lake, New York
Married: Sena Trask
Children: Rosamonde, Lowden, Warren, and Hugh
Died: September 17, 1892 in Diamond Springs, CA

1852-1855: Deputy Sheriff, El Dorado County
1879: Delegate, Second Constitutional Convention (Sacramento)

• LEGISLATION: During the Consitutional Convention, Larkin (with minor support from Charles W. Cross) opposed the constitutional amendment that would disenfranchised anyone who participated in a duel. "You allow the most corrupt man to hold office; but you wish to say, that because an honorable man is compelled to defend his honor and engage in a duel that he cannot hold the office of Constable, or Justice of the Peace, or any other office in this State. I am no apologist for duels, but I believe the people are capable of selecting the men that should represent them, from the highest to the lowest position in this State. A man should not be disenfranchised because he defends his honor, or the honor of his wife and family..." [Source: Debates of the 1879 Constitutional Convention]

• CONTROVERSY: During the 1879 Constitutional Convention, "William W. Moreland presented a resolution that addressed the "suggested" vacancy caused by the "insanity" of delegate Jehu Berry. Moreland moved that "on Friday the 25th day of October, 1878 at 11 o'clock A.M.," the convention "proceed to the election of some qualified person to fill said vacancy." On motion of WPC delegate Henry Larkin, the delegation tabled the resolution and did not attempt to fill the vacancy at any later date. On October 23, the minute clerk recorded that Berry, who had been absent since October 14, had been granted indefinite leave of absence "on account of sickness." Jehu Berry did not return for the remainder of the convention, and was not present at the signing of the constitution on March 3. Perhaps thinking Moreland's resolution in poor taste, and out of respect for Berry's privacy and illness, the convention did not fill his vacancy or address the issue further in the debates." [Source: "Inventory" by Pat Ooley; see below]

Source: Inventory of the Working Papers of the 1878-1879 Constitutional Convention by Pat Ooley, California State Archives (1993) [ONLINE]
Source: Legislative Guide... of all the State Officers and Members of the Legislature... by Kean & Dudley (H.S. Crocker and Co.; 1871)