American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-09-25

BIENNIAL Sessions. By the law passed AT
the last session of the Legislature OF MaryIana'
entitled. Gan act to alter and amend the con-
stitution and form of government OF the state
of MARYLAND, so as to substitute biennial tor an
nual sessions of the Legislature, and tor other
purroses, it is provided, "that at the next an
nuaI election, for delegates to the General AS
semblv of Maryland, the Judges OF election OF
the several cities and counties OF this State,
shall inquire Teach voter, as he casts his ballot,
whether he is for or against the provisions oil
this bill, and shall record his vote accordingly,
and the said Judges shall make due return OF
the respective number of votes cast tor, ana
those against the same, in the same manner as
returns are now made of the votes cast Tor the
Governor ofthis State; and any judge OF cleo
ton falling to make return as aforesaid, shall
be subject to all the penalties for the non com
plance with the existing election laws of this
State"
1t is supposed by writer in the Annapolis
Democratic Herald, that this provision will i'm
pose upon the judges Of election the duty OF
asking each voter, at the time of deposting his
ballot, variety OF questions, which he puts in
the following form:
"AIe you, -, in favor of electng the del
egates to the General Assembly of Maryland
on the first Wednesday of October lS47, and
all succeeding elections, for two years, or Tor
one year only? Are you in favor of the Gov
ernor converting the Legislature whenever nc
may deem it expedent and proper? Are you
in favor of all officers now appointed by the
Governor for one year, with the advice ana
consent of the Senate, shall be appointed for
two wears, from and after the first Wednesday
of October is47."
This would render the proceedings exceed
ingly complicated, and might produce much
trouble and difficulty-as voters might answer
alfimatiyey to some questions and negatively
60 others; which answers would have to be re-
corded and returned The main object of the
bill is to substitute biennial for annual sessions
of the legislature; and the change in the terms
of service of state officers is Il necessary result
of such substitution; we therefore presume, that
the objects of the law would be fully answered,
and the duties of the judges properly dlscharg-
sd, by putting to each voter question some
what in this form-"Are you in favor or against
the provisions of the law to substitute biennial
for annual sessions ofthe legislature'n This, we
suppose, would be sufficient, without enumerat-
ing the several provisions of the law, and re-
quirng distinct vote upon each, Every vo-
ter is presumed to know the provisions of the
law upon which lie is called to vote; and hence
there can be no necessity for recapitulatlon by
the judges. The question, as we have put it,
would be literal compliance with the law; for
it requires only that the voter shall be asked,
''whether he is for or against the provisions of
this law?"
ave hope that no unnecessary obstacles will
be thrown IN the way of the vote to be given
upon this law. Let the sense of the people be
fairly taken upon the proposed change in the
constitution; and whether it be for or against
the measure, we shall be content, though we
should greatly prefer the former, as it would
diminish the expenses of the State, and relieve
the people from the annual terment about cleo
tions.