The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-12-21
MARYLAND Constitutional Convention.

ings of the Convention. reached up to
the 18th inst:
December 13.-Mr. E. F. Chambers
from the Committee On Elective Fran
chise, made Il report in part, ofprovisions
for new constitution, requiring that all
foreigners, after becoming naturalised,
shall reside thirty days in the State, be-
fore being entitled to vote, and all per-
sons ore year resident in Maryland,
and sixty days in the county or city
where offering to vote.-All voting to
be by ballot. Persons in any way con-
nected with bribery in elections to be
disqualified from voting or holding office
Convicts and lunatics prohibited from
voting. Mr.. Brown, as member Of
the committee, entered objection to the
first clause Of the articles. They we're
read and ordered to be printed.
Mr.. Neill offered an order of inquiry
into the propriety of exempting persons
scrupulous about bearing arms from mil
ltary duty-which went over to COM
mittee; as did also an order, submitted
by Mr.. Stephenson, as to the propriety
of requiring two-third vote of the leg
islature in rechartering banks, and i'm
posing certain restrictions upon stock
holders, SC. The Convention then ad!
journed.
December 14..-The following orders
Of inquiry were proposed, and refer
red to the appropriate standing commit
tees:
By Mr.. Harbine, to provide for quar-
terly sessions Of the Courts of Common
Law in the several counties, Howard
District and Baltimore.
By Mr.. Eccleston, for the re-cnact-
ment of the seth article of the present
Constitution, and also that no Conven.
ton for recognizing the Constitution
shall be called, except by vote of two
thirds of each branch of the Legislature.
BY Mr.. Tuck-In application for bail
where the .ccused resides out of the
State, bail may be allowed or ttH:cead
at the discretion of the officer to whom
the application may be made. To give
the appointment Of Attorney general
to the Governor and senate, and the
Deputies to the Legislature-the Attor-
ney General to be removable at the
pleasure ofthe Governor, and vacancies
in the Office Of the Deputies to be filled
by the Governor until the next meeting
Of the General Assembly.
December l6.--On motion of Mr.. Jcnifrr in
quiry was authorised into the propriety OF pre-
Ger n he I'M fLp r,,lnt If
master and slave as it exists in the present Con-
stitution.
The Convention resumed the consideration of
the report of the committee on the elective fan
chise and the amendment offered by Mr.. Brown,
to strike out the words .for thirty days. in the
first part of the reported new articles for Con-
stitution, (Which requires foreigner to remain
a citizen for that Length of time after becoming
naturalized before permitted to vote,) was
pending.
Mr. Gwinn argued against the further pro-
posed restrictions upon the elective franchise as
unjust, oppressive, and contrary to the spirit Of
our institutions.
Mr.. Tuck said he should vote for striking out,
but he should reserve the privilege if afterwards
deemed prudent. to propose some plan of securi-
ty against trauds-for he believed both parties
alike guilty.
Mr.. Jenifer opposed making this matter Of
the Constitution, whatever he might otherwise
be disposed TO do.
Mr.. Dorsey desired to extend the restriction to
twelve months, as not only strictly constitutional
but wholesome and wise. The Constitution of
the United States, he argued, simply authorizes
foreigners to become citizens by naturalization,
but the State has Il right, as a regulation gifts
internal affairs, to place restrictions, contem-
plated. He had so far regarded the enormous
encroachments upon the elective franchise, that
he had thought of proposing to make it criminal
to advance money TO pay for naturalization pa
peIs.
December 17.-The President of the
Convention presented the following let
tiers:
Washington, Dec. ii, 1850.
My Dear Sir:--I have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt of the report and resolutions
con the late acts Of Congress forming the COM
PROMISE" Sc, adopted by the Maryland Reform
Convention, which you forwarded to me; and
beg leave to express the high qualification which
derived from their perusal. l trust that my flu
ture conduct will justify the confidence expressed
by the Convention, that will faithfully perform
my duty in the present crisis; and am gratifed
with the assurance the cooperation ofthe peo-
pie Of Maryland, in any emergency which may
require it, in support Of the laws and Consttu-
ton ofour country.
Truly yours, WILLARD FrLLMoRE.
Hon. John G. Chapman, Pres't Ref. Gown.
Department Of State,
Washington, Dec. IA, 1850.
]. G. Chapman, President ofthe Reform Con-
vention to Revise the Constitution of Maryland
Sir: have the pleasure to acknowledge the re-
ceipt ofyour letter of the 10Th inst, enclosing
report and resolutions unanimously adopted by
the Maryland Reform Convention, in relation to
the measures ofcompromisc passed by the Con-
gress ofthe United States, at its last session, for
the transmission ofwhich ! am greatly obliged to
YOU. The voice of the State of Maryland, cx-
pressed by so numerous and respectablea Con-
vention, so recently chosen by the people, cannot
but produce great impression upon the public
mind and contribute to discountenance agitation,
to produce reconciliation and harmony, and there
by, to perpetuate the uaion ofthe States.