American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-01-15
gs0ggCtram 8&epI1DGtcayS,
AND BALTIMORE CLIPPER.
THURSDAY MORNING, JAN. Is, 1876.

the letter of our correspondents
The CONSTITUTION OF MARYLAND. ThoI
following resolution has been Offered in the
House of Delegates ofthjs State, by Mr.. Bowie,
of Prince Georges county;
Resolved, That the Committee ON the Con
stitution inquire into the propriety and expedi-
ency Of repeating the said fifty ninth section of
the Constitution, or of so amending 1t as to-
authorize the cali Of Convention to change,
alter, or amend the Constitution of the State
of Maryland, provided said Convention be
formed upon the same basis of representation
as now exists in the Legislature Of the State,
and that said committee have leave to report
By bill or Otherwise.
With all due respect, we differ from Mr..
Bowie as to the necessity Of altering the con-
sttution for the purpose mentioned in the
above resolution. We admit that the constitu-
ton cannot be altered or abolished excepting
by the mode prescribed in the instrument it.
self; and hence that no power can be vested
Legislature, or without it, to form new con-
stitutjon OF to change the old one. The nc
cessly Of having the acton OF two successive
Legislatures upon any amendment Of the coll
slituton, is distinctly recognized IN the address
published by order Of tbs late State Reform
Convention. But We respectfully submit, that
the Legislature has full power to authorize the
call of a convention Of the people to recon-
mend the adoption Of such amendments to the
constitution as may be deemed advisable. It
would be only taking the sense of the people
upon the subject; and this has been done fire.
quently on less important matters. The gene
raj school system was submitted to the direct
vote of the people, and became law where
majority of the voters Of county declared in
its favor. All that is asked Of the Legislature
is, to authorize the call Of State Convention.
1t is not contended or supposed that the action
of such convention will be conclusive. The
convention, it is believed, being chosen for the
express purpose of revising the constitution,
would more fully express the sentiments and
wishes of the people of the State, than mem
bers of the Legislature, who are elected for
various aud different purposes. The labors of
the convention would, of course, be submitted
to the Legislature, and if approved, be pub
lished for the information of the people, who
would vote for delegates at the succeeding
election, with an express view to their action
upon the matter. All this appears to us to be
perfectly plain sailing, not clashing with the
provisions of the constitution in any particular;
and we think that the Legislature would ex
hibit wisdom by complying with the request
for the call Of a convention. The constitution
of Maryland is prohibitory, and the Legisla-
ture can do any act which IS not prohibited.
There is 10 clause which denies the right to
call convention to form a new constitution,
though the mode Of giving validity to such
constitution, is expressly provided. We can
not, then, see any constitutional objection to
the proposed call of convention by the Legs
lature. We need hardly say that we are op-
posed to all ultra measures, and do not recog-
n2e the right to abolish or change the const-
tuition at the will and pleasure of the people,
otherwise than through the agency of the
Legislature, as provided iii the constitution
We condemned the proceedings OF the Dorr-
ties in Rhode Island, and will never sanction
the introduction of their principles into Mary
land. We are the friends OF reform, but not
of ievolution-ior If the latter be once toie-
rated, it is impossible to say where it wopid
terminate. We have confidence in the people,
and desire to have the constitution submitted
to their revision but we are utterly opposed TO
all violations of the organic law OF the State.
We hold to that as the shcet-auchor Of our
safety as civilized society. These are the
principles contained in the address from the
Reform Convention, and to those we shall adj
here under all circumstances.
Wohope that the Legislature will direct the
call of a convention, not only because we be-
lieve that the constitution requires amendment,
but because it would be but respectful TO the
people to grant their desire.
"THE NATIONAL Pass" We have recei-
we'd the PROSPECTUS Of new weekly paper,
contemplated to be published in New York, by
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