Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-01-15
MARYLAND REFORM CONVENTION.
ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 4, 1850.

thanks of the Convention were rendered to the Hon.
A: Randall, for the very satisfactory manner IN
which he has discharged the duties of the chair,
during the absence of the President.
Mr. Sprigg submitted an order that the Execu-
tive Committee inquire into the eXpediency of re-
porting articles declaring the executive power
vested in Governor, to be elected every four
years at the time of the Presidential election, the
first election to take place in 1852. In case of
tie, the Legislature to elect by joint vote. The
Governor to be ineligible for six years after expi-
ration of his term-to be 80 years of age-a native
born cltzen-a citizen Of the States for ten years,
and of the Gubernatorial district 3 years preced-
ing his election. st. Marys, Charles, Calvert,
Prince George, Anne Arundel counties and Balti-
more city and Montgomery county, to compose lst
District Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's Caroline,
Talbot, Dorchester, Somerset and Worcester, the
% District. Baltimore, Hartford, Carroll, Frede-
rick, Washington and Allegany the Sd. The order
then goes on to define his duties and fix his COM
pensation, &c.
| Mr.. Freshman submitted an order, that the Le-
glsiatiye Committee inquire into the expedency
OF adopting permanent and uniform system Of
taxation for State purposes-to define clearly what
are legitimate objects of taxation-to guard care
fully against double taxation in any form-to pre-
vent taxes upon any description of property high
er than upon all other kinds. To prohibit exemp-
tions except for religious, charitable Of education
al representation to be proportonate to actual
value of property-bonds, mortgages, judgments,
&C., not to be taxed as personal property, but per-
sons holding them, which are heirs on real estate,
shall be liable to the person to whom taxed, for
his portion of said tax, in proportion to the nte-
rest he may hold or own in said real estate.
MIR. Smith submitted resolution that all char
ers to railroad companies hereafter granted, shall
contain uniform system of charges.
Mr.. Bell submitted resolution that the per diem
OF the members and officers, except the President,
during the recess, and Of all absentees heretofore,
as well as hereafter, except in cases of sickness,
be applied to the payment of a reporter.
On motion of Mr.. Bowie, laid on the table.
Mr. Stewart, of Caroline, and Weber favored
the resolution, and Mr.. Jenifer opposed it.
Mr. kilgour submitted a substitute that any
member be permitted to refuse his per diem for
any day he may believe he did not render the
State S4 worth of service as member of the Con-
ventIon
Mr.. Brown advocated the original resolution, and
expressed his determination not to receive his per
diem during the recess. 1t was opposed by Mess.
Ridgely, Jenifer, McLane and Tuck
MIR. kilgour withdrew his substitute, and Mr..
Stewards resolution was rejected-yeas 10, nays
The President informed the Convention that he
had been requested by the Governor to invite the
Convention to witness the Inauguration Of the Hon.
E. Louis Lowe, Governor elect, on Monday next
at IL o'clock.
On motion Of Mr.. Bowie, it was ordered, that
the Convention attend the Inauguration in body.
Mr.. Stewart, of Caroline, moved to re consider
the vote on the employment of Reporter, but
without taking vote the Convention adjourned
Jan. 6, 1850.
The President announced the unfinished business
OF Saturday, being the motion to reconsider the
vote on the sub ect of the employment of Report
er, but on motion of Mr.. Merrick, it was laid over
till Tomorrow
The hour of II clock having arrived, the Con-
vention, preceded by the President, repaired to
the Senate chamber to witness the Inauguration of
the Hon. E. Louis Lowe, Governor elect.
Upon the return of the members to the Hail. on
motion of Mr. Jenifer, it ordered, that the
President request Governor Lowe to furnish the
Convention with a copy of his address, and that
copies of the same be printed for the use of the
Convention.
Adjourned
Jan. 7, 1850.
The President announced the following Commit
tee on the Free Colored Population: Messrs ia
cobs, Sprigg, Sellman, Crisfeld, Brown, Kigour
and Carter.
Also, laid before the Convention, a communi-
cation from the President of the Indiana State
Convention, acknowledging the receipt of the re-
solutions in regard to the compromise measures
of Congress, accompanied with similar resolutions
OF that body on the same subject.
The order of the day (the report of the Commit
tee on the Elective Franchise) was postponed and
the Convention resumed the consideration of the
motion to reconsider the vote upon the employ
ment of Reporter.
After debate, the vote was reconsdered-yeas
so, nays "a.
The question then required upon the passage of
the resolution.
On motion of Mr.. Stephenson it was amended,
by adding ''for the entire session Of this Conven-
tion.'
On motion of Mr.. sollars, said resolution was
amended by adding ''from this time
Mr. Davis moved further to amend sold rasoI,,
ton, by adding thereto ''provided the expense is
allowed by the first Legislature which NAV meet
hereafter" Negatived.
The said resolution was then passed-yeas 49,
nays 36.
Mr. Jenifer then submitted resolution autbo
rzing said committee to employ competent prin-
ter, to print the debates and proceedings of this
Convention, provided the cost thereof does not ex-
ceed 1000.
Mr.. Gwinn moved to amend said resolution by
adding thereto ''and that the said committee give
the printing to the lowest competent and respon-
slble bidder. Negatived.
3 MIR. Stephenson moved further to amend said
resolution, by adding sand that such contract be
reported to this Convention for confirmation or re-
ection.'' Negatived.
Mr.. McNIaster moved to amend by striking ont
$4,000, and inserting $4,000.
MIR. Jenifer accepted the amendment proposed
by Mr.. McMaster.
Mr. Weems moved to strike out ssfve thousand,
and insert ''four thousand,' - which MIR. Jenfer
accepted.
Mr. Drickson then moved as substitute for
said order, that the Committee on Printing con-
tract for printing the report of debates, at sum
not exceeding $4,000. Mr.. Jenifer accepted the
Mr. Weber moved to strike out the words sat
a sum not exceeding four thousand dollars. -
Negatived.
The order was then adopted.
Adjourned.