Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1850-12-04
MARYLAND REFORM CONVENTION

The Convention met. Hon. J. G. Chap
man, presiding.
Mr.. Jenifer informed the Convention, that
he had been informed by the Governor, that
large number of the census returns had
been received at the State Department, and
that he is informed by the Marshal lha. the
remainder will be ready by the 18Th or ooh
Of December next.
Mr.. Gwinn submitted an order, that the
Governor inform the Convention the num-
ber of pardons and nolle prosequl's granted
in each Gubernatoral term since 1892
Adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Bell, the appropriate
committee was directed to inquire into the
expediency of Incorporating provision to
prevent the Legislature from creating debt,
or appropraling the public funds to works
Of internal Improvements, &c., without sub
mitting the question to the people.
On motion Of Mr.. Ege, the Committee on
the Legislative Department was authorised
to inquire into the expediency Of prevent
ing the Legislature, by implication, from
creating public debt; also, to prevent the
charter Of Banks without making the
stockholders and officers individually liable.
On motion of Mr.. Freshman, the Judc
ary Committee was directed 10 inquire into
the expediency Of abolishing Baltimore city
Court, and the division of its duties between
a Police Court for minor offences and a
competent tribunal for more important, cases.
On motion of Mr.. Stephenson, the Com
mitlee on the Legislature was directed to
inquire into the expediency of making it
obligatory upon the Legislature at its first
session hereafter, to provide for systema-
tic code of the statue laws then in force in
the Stale.
On motion of Mr.. Sprigg, the Committee
on the Elective Fanchise was directed to
Impure into the expediency Of making the
qualifications of voters the following ::
'.Every free white male citizen of this State
above 81 years of age, citizen for SIX
months and an inhabilant for one whole
year, and for the last six months a resident
of the county or city where he may offer to
vote, and none other shall be entitled to
vote" SC. Also requiring residence days
in the ward or election district, before voting.
On motion of Mr.. frey, the Committee
on the Executive Department, are 10 inquire
into the expediency of preventing the salary
Of the Governor from being increased or
diminished during any gubernaorial term.
On motion of Mr.. Smith, the Treasurer
was requested to inform the Convention the
amount of the school fund; how invested,
and a brief history Of the origin and increase
Of the fund, and reference TO the laws au-
,horizng the distribution. The number Of
academies participating in the public money
oC ,ho
gate number of pupils instructed in each year.
On motion of Mr. Ridgely, the Committee
on the Public Debt was directed 10 inquire
into the expedency Of declaring the sinking
fund set apart for the exlinguishment OF the
public debt, and TO be held nviola,e for the
purpose.
/ On motion of Mr.. Schley, the following
propositions were referred TO the Committee
on the Legislative Department: 10 prevent
divorces by the Legislature every law TO
embrace but one object, TO be expressed IN
the title; all property Of the wife before
marriage, and that acquired after by gift,
private property not TO be taken for public
use without just compensation.
And tina, the Judiciary Committee inquire
into the expedincy Of abolishing the Chan
, Gerry Court, and abollshing the present mode
of taking testimony in equity causes, and
the substitution of oral testimony 10 be
taken before the Judge. who shall hear the
cause. To provide for inferior tribunals Of
uniform Jurisdiction. To exempt reason
able amount Of the property of any debt
or from seizure or sale for debt hereafter
contracted. To practice for the revision,
t Sc, of the rules Of practice, pleadings,
forms and proceedings, and arrange sys-
tenn adapted to courts of record of this State.
On motion of Mr.. Sappington, the Com
mitlee on the Legislature was directed to
inquire into the expediency of prohibiting
the enactment Of supplemental laws.
On motion of Mr.. Chandler, the Commit
tee on the Judiciary was directed to inquire
into the propriety fprovIding morespeedy
mode of collecting debts in the courts Of
law, and of avoiding the existing delay at
tendant upon proceedings at law.
The Convention then took up the order
of The day-being the orders submitted by
Mr.. Stewart, of Baltimore, Chairman of the
Committee on Printing and reporting.
Mr.. Blackstone moved TO amend, by ln-
serling a proviso, that the cost of reporting
and printing the debates shall not exceed a
certain sum.
Mr.. Grason argued in opposition to the
plan OF the committee;
Mr.. Brent, of Charles, in support of it.
i MIR. Dorsey moved to strike out the two
first orders, which provide for reporting and
printing the debates, and argued in favor OF
his motion at length.
!, Mr. Randall followed in explanation Of
the orders of the committee the
Convention adjourned.