Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-03

HOUSE OF DELEeATEs OF MARYLAND,
annapolis, March 90. 1888.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF
MARYLAND.
FELLOW CIrIzENs:-The undersigned, Dele
gates to the General Assembly, being about to
close their Official labors and to separate from
each other, have deemed il proper. ineconsldera.
ton Of the important matters herein treated, to
present this address to the people Of the State.
We are duly sensible that this Isl novel pro-
cedure, but we believe the importance OF the &C.
casion will not only justify, but absolutely re-
quires departure from usage.
We are moved to this course, BY what we feel
to be a high and paramount duty to those who
have honored US with their confidence, and
who have entrusted Us to represent their wishes
aud to guard and maintain Taeir rights and in.
terests.
Ii is Ear from our purpose, to review in detail
the business Of the session whichs about to closes
but one subject has been agitated Of awakening
and vital interest to every Republican in the land.
and to that we mean to invite your especial at
| tentOp.
We lude to the question Of Reform in the
constitution Of the State.
Our present Constitution was formed, as is
| well known not onlv amid the confusion Of the
ence of Representative Government was yet 10
| state Of crude experiment.
The circumstances attending its origin would
naturally account for defects both In its principles
and in its practical details, without rejecting in
any degree upon the purity ability CT the states
linen who framed il. Hence we find its opera
ton conflicting with its theory We know that
in some of its important features, 1t is incopsis
tent with tself;-and we feel that its effects are
partial and metropolitan.
Whilst IN one part Of its text it declares, that
the Legislative, Executive and Judicial depart
ments should not only be independent Of each
other but that they ought to be forever separate,
in other parts, it directs that the Executive which
appoints the Judiciary, should be annually elect
ed by the Legislature. 1t recognizes and sane.
tons the Republican doctrine, that, the majority
have righ, to regulate the government, whi'st its
actual operation denies and regulates this uD-
questionable truth.
| In common with the constitutions OF the other
states and with that Of the Un,on il owes its ve-
~ existence to the maxim that representation
shuuld be proportlOoed to taxatiun. and yet fos-
tiers a system by which an inconsderabe mnori.
ty Of the inhabitants and the representatives Of
dim,nu,ive fraction Of the taxable property Of the
State, exercise all the powers Of the Government.
1t expressly declares. THAT all government
Of right originates from the people," aud that the
people Of this state ought to have the sole and ex
elusive right. OF regulating the internal police
| and government thereof;" and as il to violate
these axioms in the most signal manner. it i'm
parts all its functions to less than one third OF
the citizens.
1t is undeniable and well known. that in no
branch Of our state government, have the majo.
Al hos thn.r
proper influence; and it is equally unqnestona-
BILE, that in this state, assuming to be Republi.
can, and where all the citizens are presumed to
be politically equal, We have the monstrous ano-
may, that in some sections Of its territory. sin.
gle voter has more political weight and power.
than twenty voters who may happen to reside in
other sections,
The facts thus plainly and briefly stated are
familiar to all Of you; they speak for themselves
and require no calculation.
The majority OF the people. we have reason to
hope aud believe, are prepared to maintain their
equal rights. They have already determined,
that in some legitimate way, the present unjust
and iliberal system must be terminated. 1t be.
comes US all, therefore, solemnly to reflect, how
this inevitable result may be most speedily and
peacefully contaminated.
The mode which is first and most naturally
suggested, is that designated by the constitution
itself, by two successive enactments Of the Ge.
neral Assembly, and accordingly the people have
for q long time resorted to that medium. Their
reiterated memorials and remonstrances, repre-
sentisg and protesting against the fragrant injus-
tice Of the present unequal distribution of polit
cal power, and requesting the legislature to re-
model the constitution according to principles
more consistent with the rights Of the people.
and the more advanced state Of human improve.
ment in the science Of government, have been,
on some occasions, treated with open scorn, and
always with undisguised and uncourteous hostili-
ty. An appeal therefore to this mode Of relief
has been proved by long experience to be nuga.
tory and utterly hopeless; aud all expectations Of
obtaining redress through its instrumentality,
must be abandoned. We nevertheless persuad-
ed, that there are many liberal and enlightened
citizens in the smaller counties, whose political
principles and sense Of justice, would prompt
them cheerfully to contribute to the success Of
~