Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1846-01-22

w lHlo HledIIS ulluer kLlle PROVISIONS vi Lne
bill of rights. But the circumstances there
enumerated do not exist, and we therefore
had not the right to resort to revolution.
Mr.. S. thought the subject should go to
the committee already appointed. He knew
not what their opinions were, but they had
been selected with the especial view of tax
ing IN charge matters affecting the Consttu-
Ition-matters of like character with this
memorial. But he had word to say in re-
lgard to the convention, from committee
OF which the memorial emanated. From
several counties Of the State he understood
there were no delegates at that convention,
and from others they were very irregularly
appointed. He took this as an indication
that the people were not very anxious for
Conventional Reform. They do not demand
lit. Several districts Of his county were IT.
represented in the convention. And he was
sure such had been the case in other Sec
tons. 1t was, he thought, no convention at
all, and Therefore he could not concede their
views were those Of the people.
Mr.. BERRY defined his position, and was
understood that he was Reformer, and
Conventional Reformer, but there was a,
this time such hustle in the House, and
Mr.. B. spoke so low, that he could not dis
tincty be heard.
Mr.. FRAZER thought, that before Con-
ventional Reform could be attained, it would
be necessary to repeal the article ofthe Con-
stituton prescribing the mode making alte-
rations thereto. This could not be done
under two years. He was for going about
the business in a constitutional way. He
had taken an oath to support the Constitu-
ton, and that instrument pointed out the
way in which it was to be altered He did
not think there was any real cause of COM
plant He looked upon this reform as a
mere political machine, by which the oppo-
site party hoped to ride into power. From
what had been admitted by the minority, he
thought it was to be inferred, the people
were not in want Of Convention. The
gentleman from Cecil had said it was plain
the Legislature would not grant it. 1t was
plain then that the people did not wish it,
for he thought this House the index of the
will of the people. As for the relative
weight of the counties by the proposed plan,
he apprehended that that of the smaller
counties would be entirely lost. Even tho
their weight in Convention should be as
great as on the floor Of the House, yet when
it came to vote of the people, the case
would be materially altered.
Mr.. MURRAY arose to correct what he
deemed an error of opinion, which seemed
to influence some members against Conven-
tional Reform. They had sworn to support
the Constitution of the State, and because
the Constitution prescribed the mode by
which alterations of the same may be made
by the Legislature, they inferred that that
was the only mode by which alterations
could be made. He quoted from the Bill
of Rights and Constitution with view of
Showing that that clause was intended to
govern and limit the Legislature alone in
the matter, and it is especially reserved the
right to the People to alter it when and how
they pleased.
Mr.. LOWE had intended TO preserve, in re-
gard TO this question, the silence he had
maintained throughout the session, not that
his interest was less in the subject than that
of others present, or that he deemed the re-
sponsiblllty to his constituents less weighty
than others. But the closing remarks of the
gentleman who had just taken his seat cal
led him up. He differed with the gentleman
from Anne Arundel, as to this being the
proper time to discuss the abstract question
of reform, and hoped the gentleman would
receive in good part, the expression of this
difference. He considered this debate pre-
mature and imprudent. Now is not the
time 10 meet the broad question of reform.
This motion of reference does not present
the proper occasion for opening the debate
on the general question-it should be based
upon report of majority or minority of
a committee. Such report would present
the principles, for or against which gentle
men must take their stands. Then we NAV
with propriety enter the field-then we may
discuss the question of constitutionalty.
When this question should come up in
its proper form, Mr.. L. Said he would raise
his humble voice in favor of the great object
which is now agitating the public mind
He was prepared to show that 1t was COM
petent for one session of the Legislature to
call Convention. He was prepared to
show-or at any rate to endeavor to show
that the people have never alienated their
right 10 alter the fundamental law of the
State, and moreover that they never can
ALLEVIATE it, He was prepared to GO still fur
Their, and to show that as matters stand now,
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