The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-05-25
For The Cecil Wing j
Reform Of the Constitution.

Mr.. S;r:-As it Is quite
certain that 'he people of Maryla land have,
at the late election decided 10 hold con-
vention to revise, and perhaps to remodel
the present Constitution OF our State, it
will devolve upon us shortly to make Sc
lection Of Delegates who shall perform
that important work. This ! consider
most important tast The constitution in
my humble opinion, and I think | shall
be joined in that opinion by nIne-tenlhs
of the people OF Maryland, should be based
upon and declare the great principles OF
civil rights and civil liber,y-lt is and
should be the great chart by which our
onward progress is directed, the giidng
star to future legislation it should be stable
in its character and diI,lse ats influence
entirely Throughout the statute book. IN
like legislation which may be changed,
and must be adapted to the wants Of the
people in every emergency: our Constltu-
ton should be 10 us, pillar of light to
guide and TO guard us from the dangers of
precip!tancy, from passion and feeling,
and to direct cur wise men in the path to
fame and to happiness.
1t will therefore become our dirty i'm
mcdately, as united people, soIlcltous
for the good Of the whole, to look ABOUND
us IN order to discover and point out the
changes which our anclent charter seems
to need, to adapt it to the present and tu-
ture condition of the State-and also to
Cast orr eyes around us for suitable agents
TO carry our wishes INFO eiltc.-The task,
both OF making suitable selections of Dele
gates, and in revising the present consti-
tuition is somewhat difficult; for if, instead
of improvement, matters should grow
worse, we had better, far better, never
have taken the incpient step. But we must
meet The crisis in a proper and becoming
spirit, We must lay aside for time our
party predictions, and as a band of
brothers united for the common good,
about to renew our anci=nt league and
covenant, consult, confer, and unite IN one
generous effort to benefit ourselves and
our posterity by looping off from the old
constitution and government, that which
has been found to be irksome or obnoxious,
and try and insraft that which may be es-
teemed beneficial. To accomplish this
result | as one man will lend my add
My views however may be of little I'M
portance to any one but myself Never
theless in promulging them, may get at
the views OF others which is my chief aim
at present.
am clearly Of the opinion that the
Convention when assembled, should in
crease the Gubernatorial term OF service
to four years, instead of three as 1t now is
that the Legislature should assemble BIZ
ennially as at present-that the Court OF
Chancery, a by-word and a reproach,
should be entirely abolished, and equity
powers conferred upon the Judges OF the
Courts OF Law-that the present judicial
division OF the State should be changed
from five to three districts, one for the
whole Eastern, and two for the Western
Shore-that the Orphans Courts should
have an entirely new organization, which
can be effected, by assigning the powers
and duties of the Testamentary law to one
of the associate Judges of the County
Courts. This branch of the judicial gov
eminent Of Maryland, is held to be ex-
ceedlngly lame. and entirely unsuted to
the wants of the people. would also
urge tax per poll upon all voters, for ed
ucatlonal purposes, which however, our
present constitution positively forbds-
and | would recommend that clause be
inserted in the new instrument, limiting
the powers OF the General Assembly res. |.
pecting Bank charters, and forbidding the |
imposition of tax on real estate for anv
other purpose than the support Of Govern
ment. Agriculture the nobest and most
essential employment of man, asks but lit |
tie and receives less OF the fostering care
of Government, than any other secular
employment-to tax the labor, the spirit !.