Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1850-04-15
THE REFORM QUESTION.
For the Port Tobacco Times.

For the Port Tobacco Times.
Mr.. EDITOR The time will soon arrive
when we shall be called on to cast our votes
for or against Convention. Are the peo-
pie of this county prepared to vote on this
important question? hope they are pre-
pared to vote against it, because their nle-
rest demands it, their honor, their rights, as
an integral part of the State, demand it, posteri-
ty demand sherigh,s and liberties transmitted
to US by our forefa,hers. VIVA, is this great
Reform, as j! is called? Do we know the
objects Of this move? We are called
upon TO vote in favor Of this measure, bu,
left totally in the dark on the subject mat
tiers to be mooted in the Convention. The
Reformers only tell us. under specious
2retence, that the present Constitution of
the State is old and an,iqua,ed and unsuited
to the times that it is an,i-democratic
that the Judiciary ought to be remodled
thet the Clerks and Registers Of the several
counties ought to be elected by the people,
Sc, &c., but they do not tell us their inlen-
ton about our representation in the LIE gis-
lature. On that point they are silent. Are
we then ignorant Of their intention to vote for
a measure frought with so much apparent
mischief to our well-being? and shall we
not stand up for our ancient rights under
the old Constitution
We cannot, am afraid, prevent by our
votes the meeting Of the Convention, for lbe-
lieve that the city of Baltimore and the lar
ger counties will vote almost en- masse in
its favor; but if the smaller counties be
true to themselves, the majority for the Con-
vention will probably be reduced down to
very small one; and if it should happen
that the Convention assemblies at the call Of
small majority of the people Of The State:
we have better chance of maintaining our
rights, because the Reformers will be made
to know, that if the rights Of the smaller
counties are invaded or encroached upon,
that when the Constitution adopted by them
is submitted to the people in June, 1851, for
their approval, the whole vote Of these couu-
ties will be cas-. against the New Consli,u-
ton, thereby endangering the life Of their
precious offspring
Then lie. us 60 to the poles in May mex,
with the words "Against the Convention"
written on our tickets, and deposi,e them
in the ballot box with determination TO
maintain our rights as transmitted to US by
the sages of the Revolution.
do not mean that Reform is not neces-
sary, but on the contrary we need it very
much. But believe there is great danger
in Conventional Reform. We do no, know
what they intend to do. And again, how
much money will it cost? At least one
hundred thousand dollars. BY Legislative
Reform the people would there have check
upon them. They cannot make a new
Constitution, but only amend it, and all the
reforms necessary could be effected by the
Legislature, body surely elected by the
people.
] am in favor of elec,ing the Judges and
all other officers of the State by the people;
but this could be as easily effected by Le-
gislative, as Conventional Reform, and the
cost to the State would be comparatively
nothing, because it could be done by the Le-
gislalure Without seriously interfering with
the ordinary business of tina, body.
hope some one more able to write on
this subject than your present correspon-
dent, will do US the favor of throwing some
light on this subject. have in my humble
it is for others to keep it moving.
OLD CHARLES.