American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-08-28

Col. GILES, IN answer to the call, expressed
his pride in believing that what had long been
felt as an evil by the friends Of Reform, was
now generally acknowledged, and that instead
of former peace-meal, patchwork Reform, by
ordinary acts of legislation, these was fair
chance for the accomplishment of thorough
change of the Constitution, by convention, the
only true course. The present preliminary
movement towards accomplishing the OBJ
ect, was demanded by, and in the hands of,
men of all political parties, Col. G. succntly
recapitulated the more immediate objects con-
tcmplated by the convention, among which
were: Constitutional limit of the power of
creating State debt; the abolition of life ten
ure of the Judges, and curtailment OF the en-
penses of the Judiciary system; regulating the
Executive Department and lessenlng its costs;
and last, though not least, a representation IN
the Legislature according to population. This
last proposition, though more Immediately in
teresting the people of Baltimore, he felt con-
ident would be met by that LIBERAL and en-
lightened spirit which had ever characterized
the citizens of other portions of the State. lie
referred to past efforts in favor Of Reform, and
to the present unanimity that seemed to pre-
vail generally in favor of it.
At the conclusion of his remarks, OH motion
of Mr.. J. c. Walsh, of Hartford, vote of
thanks was rendered him.
On motion of Mr. Townsend, of Baltimore
county, Richard c. Holiday, Esq, of Cecil,
was requested to address the convention
Mr.. Holiday declared that the people OF
Maryland having determined to change the
Constitution of the State, formed at the COM
mencement Of the government, as mere ex-
pertinent, il casted no reflection upon the pa
triotism Of those who, with sword i'll hand, just
| g., had XIV
perience called for changes The financial con-
diton of the State demanded reform. He had
suggested, as member of the last LegisIa-
ture, an internission of one sessions, for the
purpose of holding a convention in its stead.
The project was defeated; but he felt confident,
that, though efforts for reform had failed, and
might for a time fail, yet it must finally be
fully and successfully accomplished. Mr.. H.
dwelt with much force upon the necessity of
reform, and was repeatedly cheered during his
remarks.
On motion of Levin Woolford, Esq. of Som
erset, Josiah Bailey, jr Esq, was called upon to
address the Convention.
Mr.. Bailey secuted the idea of making the
question of Reform party subject. He had
voted for the present Governor of Maryland,
and Henry Clay for President, at the late
elections. The subject of slavery he discarded
as not coming within the legitimate action of
the Convention, as minated; its principal OBJ
ect being to establish an economical govern
ment. He favored the entire destruction of
the old Consttution-whch had been SO patch
ed, as to present itself in as varied hues as Jo-
seph's coat, and the establishment OF a new one,
better suited TO the times. He referred to the
judiciary, as needing thorough reform; its ex-
penses were too great; many of the present
Judges were incompetent from age; and he paid
especial attention to Baltimore city court
dealt in some humorous remarks in reference
| to his having been once summoned before it for
contempt" and also referred to its course in
reference to one of the papers ofthis city. He
handled the subject OF" contempt OF court" with
much severity, and declared his intention to
bring the subject properly before the Conven-
ton, for its action. He regarded this as ge-
neral Convention, of all parties and interests, OF
the entire State, demanding thorough and
general reform of the present Constitution. He
was most happy IN many of his illustrations.
/ The thanks of the Convention we're rendered
TO Messrs Holiday and Bailey, for their adj
dresses.
Col. Hugh Ely, of Baltimore county, at the
suggestion Of Joshua Vansant, Esq, of Bait.
city, was called upon to address the Conven-
ton. He had scarcely, however, commenced
his remarks, when the committee returning, he
concluded by referring to the pride he telt IN
view of seeing accomplished what he had been
battling in favor of for at least twenty years
past.
David Stewart, Esq, chairman of the COM
mittee appointed to report matter Tor the ac-
ton of the Convention, submitted the follow
ing:
The committee selected by the Reform Con-
vention to suggest and recommend subjects Tor
its action, beg leave to report, that they have
deliberated on the subject and have agreed to
recommend the following resolutions:
ResolUed, That committee OF i've persons
be appointed by the chair, for the purpose Of
drafting a memorial to the Legislature on be-
half of the convention, i'll favor OF convention
al REFORM
Resolved, That committee of six, one from
f each Congressional district of the State, be
appointed by the chair, charged with the duty
of preparing an address upon the subject OF re-
form and retrenchment, to be submitted to the
| people at the earliest possible period.
Resolved, That permanent Central Reform
, Committee, consisting Of ten from the city o
Baltimore, appointed by the Chair, and Cor.
| responding Committee of FIVE, from each 0
/ the counties Of the State, be appointed by the
, delegates from the respective counties, who
shall be fully authorized to adopt such mea
sures as they shall deem best to advance ant
secure the great objects of Retrenchmcnt ane
{; Reform.
f Res0lped, That it be recommended to all the
election districts in the State, to organize re
form associations, and to appoint corresponding
committees whose duty it shall he to report tt
4: the Central Com nittee, all information tina
they may collect with regard to the progress
l.. of reform principles, and suggest such mea
. sures as may be deemed advisable 10 advance
the cause in their several districts
: Resolved, That it be recommended to the
G people throughout the State, to give their vote
: to no candidate for either branch of the Legis
S lature, who will not pledge himselfto vote fo
G the call of a Convention, the abolition of al