Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-02-05
MARYLAND REFORM CONVENTION.

ICOfnlnlLte6 on Icpdi icPoA'
ed articles on that subject to be engrafted upon
new Constitution. The Legislature to be com
posed of two distinct branches, Senate and~a
House of Delegates the Senators to be elected
for four years, and the Delegates for the term
of -; the first election Of Senators to take place
on the first Wednesday of October, 1851; and Oh
the same day, every second year, an election to be
held for Delegates. The Senators to be divided
into two classes, half to go out at the expira-
tion Of every two years. The General Assembly
to meet on the first Wednesday of January, 1852;
and on the same day thereafter, unless convened
by proclamation of the Governor, whenever he
may deem it expedient The General Assembly
may hold their first two sessions after the adoption
of this constitution long In the opinion OF
the two houses the public interest may require;
| but all subsequent sessions not to extend beyond
the 10th of March, No person shall be eligible as
Senator or Delegate who shall not at the time of
election be a citizen of the United States, and have
resided at least three years next preceding the day
of his election in this State, and the last year there
of in the - which he may be chosen to repre-
sent, if such - shall have been SO long estab-
lished and if not then in the county from which,
in whole or in part, the same may have been form
ed. Senators to have attained the age OF - years,
and Delegates twenty-one years. No member OF
Congress. or person holding any civil or military
office under the United States, shall be eligible to
a seat In IfC NcncFdI ASSclnDlJ, anu duy
elected to Congress, or appointed as aforesaid,
shall vacate his seat in the Legislature.
Noprest, clergyman, or teacher OF any religious
persuasion society, or sect; and no person holding
any civil office of profit under the State, except
justices of the peace, shall be capable of having
seat in the General Assembly. The usual oaths
to be taken by senators and delegates. Each
branch to elect the usual officers Contested elec-
tions to be directed by law. A majority of each
branch to constitute quorum. Proceedings to be
public. unless the business be such as to be kept
secret A journal of each branch to be kept; the
ayes and nays, at the request Of any five members,
to be entered upon the journal. No adjournment,
over three days, nor to any other place. without
the concurrent vote of tWo-thirds of both houses.
Every bill shall begin with ''be it enacted by the
General Assembly of Maryland, - and no law be
enacted except by bill. Regulates reading and
passing of bills. No bill to become a law unless
passed in each branch by majority of the whole
number of members, and the ayes and nays on its
passage to be recorded. No money to be drawn
from the Treasury but in consequence of appro-
priations made by law; an accurate statement of
receipts and expenditures of money to be publish
ed with the laws of each regular session. No di-
vorce shall be granted by the Legislature.
| No loans shall be made upon the credit OF this
State, which are not redeemable at the pleasure
Of the State, except such as may be authorised by
an act of Assembly, passed at one session and ra-
| tilted by the next. No extra compensation to be
|
agent nor the salary of any public officer to bo
increased or diminished during his term OF office.
No county now established shall ever be reduced
by the establishment Of any new county, to po-
puaton less than - thousand; nor any new
county established without a population Of -,
No member to be eligible to civil office, whilst
acting as member. Each house empowered 10
imprison persons not members, for dsrespectful or
disorderly behavior in its presence, or molestnS
its officers in the discharge Of Duty not to exceed
ten days Usual protection given members from
arrest The power Of impeachment retained
The Legislature given power to exclude from seats
in the Legislature, and the privilege OF voting, or
of being appointed to office, any person convicted
! of perjury, or other infamous crime. No person
collecting, receiving or holding public money shall
have seat in the Legislature or be eligible to any
office, until he shall have accounted for and paid
into the Treasury all sums for which he may be
liable Ordered to be printed.
Mr. Jenifer, from committee, reported an article
prohibiting the Legislature from interfering with
the existing relation of master and slave, except
by law passed by the unanimous vote OF the
House of Delegates published, and passed upon
| by the General Assembly. Made the order of the
day for Monday week.
On motion of Mr. Williams, the Treasurer was
requested to furnish each member of the Conven-
ton with a copy of his Annual Report.
! On motion of Mr.. Chambers, Of Kent, the ap-
propriae committee directed to inquire into
the expediency of prohibiting the passage of any
law imposing tax money or debts due or ow-
ing by persons out of the State to persons residing
in the State.
Resolutions, after debate, were passed directing
indexes of the proceedings and OF the debates TO
be prepared and printed.
i The Convention resumed the order of the day,
being the report on epresentation-Mr. Spencer's s
motion to recommit it, with instructions to report
a plan based on some fair principle Of compromise.
A discussion arose. and was conducted, IN Chief,
by Messrs. Thomas, McLane, and +. F. Cham
bers, but without coming to a vote the Convention
adjourned.
On motion. it was entered upon the Journal that
if Messrs Dirickson and Lee had been present,
under the vote rejecting a resolution lnstructng
the committee to report in favor OF baslng repre-
sentation solely on population, they would nave
voted against 1T.
On motion of Mr.. McLane, the report on Elec-
tive Franchise was postponed, to allow time to
consider the amendments submitted whilst the sub
ject was in Committee of the Whole.
The report on Representation was again under
consideratiol-the amendment by Mr.. Spencer,
for recommitting the report, with instructions to
report a basis representation upon fair principles
of compromise, with Mr.. E. F. Chambers amend
ment, providing that Baltimore city shall have
representation only equal to that of the largest
county, was pending.
MIR. Fitzpatrick moved to lay the whole subject
on the table; but withdrew it, upon the suggestion
of Mr. Buchanan, who spoke in reply to MIR.
Chambers remarks of Saturday; desired to have
this subject laid aside, to enable the Convention
to consider and perfect other portions of the Con-
stituton-believng that if this question be keptm in
agitation, it would defeat prudent and proper ae-
ton upon other subjects.
I Mr. Chambers followed in reply.
Mr.. Spencer replied to Mr.. Chambers.
After some remarks by other members, on mo-
ton of Mr. Fitzpatrick, the whole matter was laid
on the table by a vote of 39 to 80
The Convention thereupon adjourned.