American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-05-27
amer(catT Repttbltcan,
AND BALTIMORE CLIPPER.
TUESDAY MORNING, MAY a7, ls45.

STATE CoNyENToN We always like to
SECT well enough alouc;' and if the present
constitution of the state were 'well enough
my. if there were not positive necessity
for changing tive should be opposed to hold
in,a slate convention for the purpose OF sub
icotfn, it to revision. But it is notorious that
there are defects and inequalities in the exist
ing constitution, which should be removed
nor is II less obvious, that curtallment OF en-
pauduucs is indispensable. We know that
amendments mar be made to the constitution
bv the acts of two successive sessions OF the
legislature but we should prefer holding
convention, to present at once Tor the consider
alton of the people, all amendments which
might be deemed necessary. Maryland is
comparativcly small state, and unfortunate
" deeply involved in debt-and yet her ex-
pcndtures are upon the most extravagant
scale Her judiciary system costs more, we
believe, than that of any other state in the
union-the compensation to her governor is
exceeded by that paid to the chief magistrates
of but one or two states; and other matters
are upon a like enlarged scale. 1t is high
time that there should be reform in these and
other particulars. Representation should be
placedu pom a more equitable footing, and the
aggregate number of delegates be reduced
Giving one senator to each county and the CT
ty of Baltimore, as the representatives, of ter
ttory, the popular branch of the Legislature
might be safely graduated upon scale which
would give one delegate to each county and
Baltimore, and an additional one for every
thousand inhabitants; no county or city to have
more than four or five delegates. This is not
new idea with the writer of this article, TO
he submitted the proposition to the House Of
Delegates at the session of 1874 or 1928; and
he has not changed his opinion upon the sub
jcct. 1t is the principle adopted in the nation
al legislature, nor is It's justice or ptoprety
complained of. Why, then, should it not be
applied in state matters?
We believe that convention to revise the
constitution is imperiously demanded by the
necessities Of the people; for we doubt whether
II will be practicable TO procure IN any other
manner, "A proper reduction of public eXpendi-
lures. With this impression we earnestly
hope that memorials will be prepared for sig
natures, to be presented at the next session OF
the legislature, requesting the call of a state
convention; and this subject should be taken
into consideration by the voters in the selec-
ton of their candidates. Retrenchmant and
reform should be the watch-words with the
people; for both will be required, if we mean
to act an honest part by the public credtoTs.-
A large sum is now annually expended which
justice demands should be saved. The peopl,
are borne down with state and city or county
taxes, whilst public officers are accommodating
fortunes. This policy should be altered, ant
the public burthcns be made to bear equally
upon all citizens, Let us then, have Il conven-
ton, and make thorough and radical change
for the better.