The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-04-20
Convention Act.

King the sense OF the people
upon the expediency Of calling
a Convention to frame new
Constitution and form of Coy
eminent for this State, and to
provide for the election OF del
egates to such Convention.
Sec. l. BE it enacted by the General
Assembly of Maryland, That for the
purpose of asccrtaing the sense of the
people OF this State, as to the expediency
OF calling convention of delegates to
be elected by the people to frame new
constitution and form Of government, ex
cspt SO far as as regards the rights and re-
lationS existing between master and slave
as now established and sanctioned by the
constitution and form Of government OF
this State, it is hereby recommended to
the legal voters ofthc State that OH the
second Wednesday in May next and at
the same plares where county and city
elections are now held, that every per-
son entitled to vote in the election OF del
eeates to the General Assembly, shall
vote with reference to the QUESTION pro.
posed by this act, by expressing in wri-
ting or printed form. on the ballot he
may cast the word "Fora Convenlion,'
or the words "Against a Convent,on,'
as the case may be, and IN case there
should be any ballots without the desig-
nation hereinbefore prescribed. the same
shall not be counted either for or against
Convention, but 4 separate return of
the same shall be made by the Judges OF
election as aforesaid, and it ii also provi-
ded that the sheriffs of the several coun-
ties, OF Howard District, and Of the City
OF Baltimore, shall give notice OF the
day on which under the provisions OF
this act. the people are recommended to
assemble to vote for or against the said
Convention in the same mannrr as nutice
Is now given OF the election ofdelegates
to the General Assembly.
Sec. 2. And lie il enacted, That il shall be
the duty Of the several judges OF election OF this
STATE TO receive, accurately count, and duly re-
turn the number ofballots 80 cas-, to the several
CLERKS OF HE county Courts ofthis state as the
same are Low required to be returned in the
election OF members 10 the House of Delegates,
and the several Clerks aforesaid shall make re-
tnTn to the Governor within ten DAYS after said
election, the number of ballots given for or a.
gain st tina call of Convention, and tho number
vi blank ballots cast, 10 the same manner Us
they return the number Of ballots for the Gov
srnoI of this State, and the laws regulating the
returns TOR The said Governor, shall regulate 90
Vern and apply 10 the vote recommended to I've
taken by the provisions ofthis act. and Judge
or judges Of the election failing to comply with
with the provisions Of this act. shall be liable TO
the same penalties rs he or they would be by |
the noncompliance with the existing election |
laws Of this state.
Sec. 5. And he it enacted, That as soon as |
the Governor shall receive the returns Of the
number OF ballots cast in this State, for or against
Il convention. and blank ia lots cast, it shall be
ihe duty OF the Governor, the Chancellor CT this !
state, and lie chief judge sfthe court of Appeals
or majority OF them, to proceed TO count and
cast up The same, and If upon counting and cast
ing up the returns as made to INN by the JUDGES
of election as hereinbciore prescribed, and il
shall appear TO the Governor, Chancellor and
Chief Judge OF the Court Of Appeals, .ra IA
J"rity Of The said officers. that majority Of le-
gal voters Of the State are IN favor Ofs call OF
convention, the Governor shall issue his procla-
alton ordering an election IL he held in tho
several counties and city Of Baltimore on the
first Wednesday of September, eighteen hundred
and fifty, for Delegates 10 the convention 10
frame new constll Jtion and form Of government
in such manner and under sucl, egulatlons as
are herelnaitsr prov lted; Provided, That iftle
chancellor and Chief Judge shall refuse to act.
then the Governor shall alone proceed 10 dis
charge the duties specified in this section.
Bee. A. Aud be it enuced, That At the cleo
tion to be held for deIcga ties TO the convention,
rs prescribed in the third section Of this act, the
legal voters shall proceed, BY ballot, TO elect
delegates TO the convention, whose qua fcationG
shall be- tie same as those now required tor a seat
IN the House 0t Delegates, and each county and
city OF Baltimore. shall bo entitled 10 the same
number Of Delegates to the convention as they
now have respectively in both Houses Of ,ae |
General Assembly Of MARYLAND; and it is also !
provided, that the Sheriff If each county, Of
Howard District, and the City Of Baltimore, |
shall give notice that the vote to be taken as
to a convention, as herenbeio fore provided for by !
publication, at least once week Tor three weeks
peorc the period fixed By the provisions Of thi |
A. The 10 idng OF NE :innc.
Soc. ). And be- it enacted, That the laws re- !
lr tingto the election of Delegates to the Genes
raj assembly, shall in all respects govern and
apply 10 the election Of delegates TO tho said
con, en,ion. and Ire said convention shall deter
mine on the validity oftIe election and aualf.
cation OF It's members.
Sec. s. And be it enacted, That the convcn-
ton, assembling in accordance with tho call Of
the people, and this act Of assembly, shall meet |
at the city Of Annapolis on the first Monday Of
November eighteen hundred and fifty, and tho |
said convention shall continue in session from
day to day, until the business for which they |
have been convened, shall be fully completed
and finished. and the compensation of the dele |
gates 10 the said convention shall be four dollars