The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-12-07
maryland Constitutional Convention

Our last Report of the proceedings OF
the convention was up to "Wednesday OF
last week. 1t did not sit on Thursday
that being Thanksgiving day. On Fri.
day Mr.. McLane of this county submit.
ted the following order.
Ordered, That the committee ap.
pointed 'to consider and report respect.
ing the Judiciary Departmet," take into
consideration the expediency of organ.
izing that department without the office
ofChancellor, and consi sting of courts
composed of Judges for the counties
and the city of Baltimore, possessing
original common law and equity juris-
diction, and comprehendng all business
relating TO orphans and insolvents; also
Of court possessing appellate jurisdic-
tom only, composed of five or three
Judges, three from the Western and two
from the Eastern Shore if composed of
five, and two from the Western and one
from the Eastern shore ifcomposed of
three; giving to all the Judges "A fixed
salary, adequate to the employment of
the best ability and experience, and pro-
hibiting fees of office.
Also, to consider the expectancy of
electing Judges, Justices of the Peace,
Clerks, Registers Of Wills and Consta-
bles by the people.
Also, for a general revision fthe
statutes of the state-to simplify plead
ings &c,
On motion of Mr.. Tuck, it was Or
dered that the same committee consider
the propriety Of Justices of The Peace,
Constables and Coroners being appoint
ed by the County courts.
On motion OF Mr.. Dent the following
resolutions We're adopted
LIST. Resolved, That The committee
to consider and report respecting the
elective franchise, inquire into the pro-
pricty of ENGRAVING into the Constitution
OF Maryland, some provision restricting
, from future foreign immigrants TO the
State of Maryland, the right OF suffrage
until they shall have been residents of
said State for at least ten years after they
shall have given notice to the proper au-
thoritics, of their intention to become
citizens of the United States, and have
been fully naturahzcd according to the
laws of the United States.
I'd. Resolved, That the committee TO
consider and report respecting the elect
i've franchise, inquire into the propriety
of engrafting into the Constitution of
Maryland, some provision by which all
voters who shall sell their votes, or 9TH
erwise dispose of them for pay or COM
pcnsation, shall upon conviction OF the
same, be deprived Of the privilege Of
voting at any election in the State Tor
at least ten years after said conviction,
and shall be forever disqualified to hold
any Office of profit or trust in this State;
and that the same disabilities be APP
piled to the parties giving the pay,
bribc or compensation.
On Saturday last an order was adopt
ed instructing the Committee to inquire
into the expediency of prohibiting mem
bcrs OF the Convention from holding any
office of trust or profit in the State, after
the adoption of the Constitution.
On Monday an order was adopted to
inquire into the propriety of each coun-
ty and Baltimore City paying their own
representatives. in the legislature.
Mr.. Miller, submitted the following
order:
Which was twic" read and adopted.
Ordered, That standing committee
No. IS, be instructed to inquire into
the propriety of reporting a c,nstitu-
tiona! provision, prohibiting any public
authority Or chartered corporation from
taking possession of, or using private
property, for any purpose whatsoever,
until the amount of compensation and
use of such private property, shall have
been first paid, or payment rendered to
the party entitled to such compensation.
On Tuesday an order was adopted
instructing the proper authorities to in
quire into the expediency of securing an
exemption of the homestead from exc
cution in debt. Also, that the lpgisla-
ture shall not create debt or levy tax
for internal improvement without OBJ
tanning the consent ofthe people through
the ballot box.
lie matter relative to the eligibility
of Judges to seats in the convention
was taken up but not determined.
On Wednesday Mr.. Spencer submit
ted orders that the Judiciary Commit
tee inquire idto the expediency of EN-
grating the following articles upon the
Convention:
|. Judges to hold their commission
for 10 years, removal only during said
term for misbehaviour, upon conviction
in court of law, and re-elgible at the
expiration of said term.
.. For ascparate Appeal Court, to
consist of one Judge from the Eastern,
and two from the Western Shore, to
hold their terms in--on the first Mon
day of June and December.
y To Il; q; J. iho St,fe into oipbt In