The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-04-13
Convention Act.

Nip thC oCli9c VI tlIC i)CoPlC
upon the exped;ency Of calling
"a Convention to frame IA new
@-Constitution and form Of Gov
eminent Tor this State, and to
provide for the election OF del
egates to such Convention.
Sec. /. Be it enacted by the General
Assembly OF Maryland, That for the
purpose of ascrrtaing the sense of the
people OF this State, as 10 the expectancy
OF calling a convention of delegates to
BIZ elected by the people to frame new
constitution and form of government, ex
capt 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 voter. of the State that On the
second Wednesday in May next. and at
the same places 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 Convention,'
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
ii Convention, but separate return of
the same shall be made by the Judges Of
election as aforesaid, and it ii also prov-
ded that the sherltis 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 ATE RECOMMENDED to
assemble to vote for or against the said
Convention in the same manner as nptice
IS now given OF the election Of delegates
to the General Assembly.
Sec 2. A nd he il enacted, That it shall he
the tuty of HE several judges ofslecton OF ,hi.
state 10 receive, accurately count, and duly re-
turn the number OF allots cast to the several
Clerks Vi the county Courts oilhs state as the
same Row required TO he returned in the
/, election Of members to the House of D.eg ates,
, and tie several Clerks atorrsi vi sIs II make re-
turn 10 the Governor within ten days alter sad
! election, tie number Of ballots given for or A.
gaia t tia call uf "a Convention, and the nuuber
vt blank ballots cast, III Me same manner AS
they return The number Of ballots Tor ths G'"'-
ernor Of this State, and the laws regulating the
ret urns Tor the sald Governor shall regulate 90
,ern aud apply to the vote recommended to be
taken by HE provisions cfthis act. ard a jud2e
or nd leS oi the election failing 10 COMP with
with the provisions of act. shall be liable 10
the same penalties as he or they would be by
The Noncompliance with the existing election
law oi this state.
Sec. g. And be it enacted, That as soon as
the Governor shall receive the reforms Of the
number ballots cast in this State Tor or against
= convention, aud blank ballots cast 1t shall! be
lhe duty Of Tue Governor, the Chance ilor u this
state, and the chct jrdge the court OF Appea ls
ma jurity OF them, 10 proceed la count and
cast up tLe sane, and If upon counting and cast
ing Up the returns ts made 10 hun by the Judges
vi election a. hereinbeiore prescribed, and il
| Shall appear 10 the Governor, Chancellor and
Chief Judge OF the Court Of Afpruls VI y ma
lurty Vf le siid officers. that uajoriiy Ut le-
ga! vUlGrs Of the State are III favor OF a call vi 4
Convention, the Governor shali issue hls Pruela-
! uIat!un ordering an eeation to he held IN the
| several Counties aud city OF Ba ltHure OH the
first Wednesday Of September, eighteen hnndred
and fifty, tor Delegates to the convention 10
frame u ,cw cOustI, Jtou and form of goverRuiont
in sncF manner and under such regulations as
are hereinafter provided; Provided, That il the
Chancellor and Chief Judge shall refuse to act
then the Governor shall alone proceed 10 dS'
charge the duties specified IN this section.
Sec. 4. And be 1t enacted, That ~ the cleo
! tiou to be held for delegates 10 the convention
| US prescribed in the third section OF this act the
! legal voters shall proceed, by ballot. to elect
delegates TO the convention, whose qualifications
shall be tie same AS those now required tor I ses
in the House OF Delegates, and each county end
city Of Ba .tmore shall be cnllllcd to the same
| number Ui Delegates to the convention rs they
now have respectively in both Houses Of the
General Assembly OF MARYLAND; aad it is also
provided, that the Sheriff Il each county Vt
Howard District, and the City Of Baltimore,
shall give notice that the vote is to be taken ~
to convention, as hereubeiore provided for by
publication, al least once week for three weeks
peorc the period fixed by the prov visions Of thi
As the odmg ol IL, stme.
Soc. 5. And be it enacted, That the laws re-
lrlingto the eleclisn of Delegates to the Genes
raj assembly, shall in all respects govern and
apply TO the election Of delegates TO the said
con, en,on. and tire said convention shall deter
ii''hc vi t"c N"''aity VI VIC SteCtioh ohu 9uahh-
cation Vi It's members.
Sec. g. And be it enacted, That the conven-
ton, assembling in accordance with the call VI
The people, and this act of assembly, shall meet
Ut the'cty Of Annapolis on the first Monday OF
Novcnber eighteen hundred and fifty, and The
| sud convention shall contInue in session from,
day 10 day, until the business tor which they
have been convened, shall be fully completed
and finished, and the compensation of the dele
gates " the said convention shalt be four dollar,
day, and the mileage now allowed by law 10
mcmbe's otthe House of Delegates; and the said
convention shall have power 10 appoint such
Clerks and other Officers, as may be deemed
necessary to facilitate the transaction OF the bus
| inc's OF the convention, apd 10 fix their com
pensatioh. aud that the Treasurer Of the State
Of Maryland shall pay upon tho order ct the
President of the said convention, 10 each MEN,
Der thereof, the said sum OF four dollars per day
and the mileage now allowed by law to mem.
bers of the House Of Dele gates, as herein pro-