The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-04-27
Convention Act.

king the sense of the people
upon the expediency of calling
a Convention to frame a new
Constitution and form of Gov
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 ascertaing the sense OF the
people of this State, as to the expediency
of calling a convention of delegates to
be 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 voters ofthe Stale 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
egates 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 Convent,on,'
as the case may be, and IN case there
should be any ballots without the desiy-
nation hereinbefore prescribed. the same
shall not be counted either for or against
a Convention. bu, separate return of
the same shall be made by the Judges OF
election as aforesaid, and it ii also provi-
ded that the sherifs 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 manner as notice
is now given Of the election Of delegates
to the General Assembly.
Sec. ,. And he it cnacted, That it shall be
the duty Of the several rdaes off election Of this
state TO receive, accurately count, and dulv re-
turn the number ofbalois cast to the several
Clerks Of the county Courts oflhis state as the
same are Row required 10 be returned in the
election of members TO the House of Delegates,
and the several Clerks afnrcsaid shall make re-
turn to the Governor within ten DAYS after said
election, the number of ballots given for or a.
gainN tina call Of Couvcniion and tho number
vi blank ballots cast, III the same manner as
they return the number Of ballots for tho Gov
srnor Of this Stale, and the laws regulating the
returns for the said Governor, shall regulate, GO
vern and apply TO the vote recommended to bs
taken by the provisions ,fthis 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 as lie 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, ior or against
convention, and blank ballots cast, it shall be
The duty of the Governor, the Chancellor Ct this
state, and the chief Judge ofthe court Of Appeals
or majority OF them, To proceed 10 count and
cast up the same, and il upon counting and cast
ing up the returns as made 10 him by the Judges
OF election as herenbefore prescribed, and il
shall appear 10 the Governor, Chancellor and
Chief Judge OF the Court OF Appeals, or ma
jority OF the said officers that majority of le-
gal voters OF the State are IN favor ola call ola
convention, the Governor shall issue his prosIa-
nation ordering an election 10 BIO held in the
several counties and city Of Baltimore Oh tho
first "Wednesday OF September, eighteen hundred
and fifty, for Delegates 10 the convention TO
frame new constitution and form Of governlnent
in such manner and under such regulations as
are hereinafter provided; Provided, That the
Chancellor aud Chief Judge shall refuse 10 act,
then the Governor shall alone proceed TO dis
charge the duties specified in this section.
Sec. A. Ana be ii enacted, Tina, al the elec-
ton t" be held Tor delegates TO the convention,
as prescribed IN the third section of this act. the
legal voters shall proceed, by ballot, TO elect
delegates 10 the convention, whose qualifications
shall be tie saue Ms those now required for seat
IN the House o. Delegates, and each county and
city OF Baltimore shall be entitled to the same
number OF Delegates to the cunventionas they
now have respectively in both Houses Of the
General Assembly OF MARYLAND; and it is also
provided, that the Sheriff Lf each county, Of
Howard District, and the City of Baltimore,
tyiNp L.,