Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1846-01-15

than previous debate had, the inseparable
barrier between the reformers themselves.
Indeed there appears to be but little oppo-
stion TO reform in the abstract-the great
difference of opinion being upon the mode
of attaining it, and the House is rapidly dill
viding itself into distinctive legislative and
conventional reformers.
Mr.. CLAGETT opposed conventional re-
form because of the little weight the small
err counties would have therein, and be-
cause changes of that instrument were al
ready provided for.
Mr.. MURRAY combatted the idea that the
smaller counties would have less represent
tation in a convention than they were en-
titled to- He had never heard PROPOSE
ton for different basis from that which,
governs the election of members of this
House.
Mr.. STEPHENS was in favor of adheringI
to the mode of reform prescribed by the
Constitution, and thought no right existed
to resort to any other. He referred to theI
Reform Convention of Baltimore, which heI
said was not properly constituted-mem-
bers of that convention from his own coun
ty, he knew, took part in their deliberations
who had not been delegated by the people
of Prince Georges county. The counties
were not fairly represented, and some not
at ALL
Mr.. BERRY declared himself conven
tional reformer, and would support the re-
ference to the select committee of seven.
Mr.. FRAZIER held that the constitution
pointed out the way by which change of
its provisions was to be attained, from
which he thought the House had no right
to depart. And as the reformers of the
House had declared they knew the majority
of the House TO be opposed to reform, he
considered it fair index of the popular
mind on that subject.
Mr.. LOWE thought the whole debate pre-
mature, and made an effort to recover the
real question. 1t was however unavailing,
for Messrs, Cox, Eye, Raisin, Stephens and
Murray continued the debate, which was
only arrested by the previous question, az
ter having consumed the mornings session.
The memorial was by vote of "A to 35
referred to the select committee of twenty
one.
Mr.. BOWIE submitted resolution direct
ing the committee of 81 to inquire into the
expediency of repeating the 59th article of
the constitution, which prescribes the mode
by which changes of that instrument shall
:, be effected; or of so amending it as to au-
thorize the call of a convention to reform
the constitution-provded said convention
be formed upon the same basis of represent
tation as now exists in the Legislature The
resolutions lie over. The committee of 81
were directed to submit report on or be-
fore the 10th proximo.
! SaturdGy.-Mr. REEDER obtained leave
to report bill to remove the free people
of color from Charles county.
MIR. WARE obtained leave to report bill
to separate all the public business and pub
lie interests proper of Baltimore county
from those of the city of Baltimore, except
as to the division of the public property
held in jointure by them.
MIR. STEPHENSON obtained leave to report
a bill to elect the Clerk and Register of
Hartford county by the people.
A communication was received from his
Excellency the Governor, enclosing the an
nual report of the State Colonization Soci-
ETY.; an address relative to a change of the
pilot laws, and a communication from the
Secretary of War in reference to the States
Indebtedness to that department for interest.
The latter document informs the State that
she is in arrear for interest on certain bonds
held by the Department from 1st October,
lS4l, to 3Oth October, 1915, inclusive, a.
mounting to S4O,742. This investment
was made for the benefit of various lands
of Indians for whom the Secretary of War
is 'Etrustee."
The bill reported by the committee of
Ways and Means for the speedy collection
of the public revenue, was read and passed.
The resolutions submitted few days
since by Mr.. Cox, in relation to the Oregon
question, were referred to the committee on
on Foreign Relations.
The resolution frem the committee on
Ways and Means, providing for refunding
certain taxes paid by the Baltimore banks,
under chap. % of 1871, was taken up and
passed.
Mr.. BOWIE, from the committee on Grev-
ances and Courts of Justice, reported bill
further supplemental to the act for the spec
dy recovery of small debts of court-ex-
tending to the city of Baltimore the laws
already in force in the rest of the State,
which was passed.
Mr.. BOWIE obtained leave to bring in a
bill to exempt from execution certain de-
scriptions of personal property.
An order was adopted to REQUIRE the