Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-02-12

passing all such laws for the government regula-
ton and disposition of the free coored population
of this State as they may see fit. -
! MIR Brent accepted the substitute.
The amendment of Mr.. Merrick, accented by
Mr. Brent, was then adopted, and the Convention
adjourned.
Feb. 6, 1851.
On motion of Mr.. Ridgely, the Convention pro-
ceeded with the consideration of the Declaration
of Rights. The question pending being on the
21st article, as amended yesterday on the motions
OF Messrs. Il. J. Brent and Merrick, giving the
Legislature power over free colored persons, it
was adopted.
Progressing to the oath article on motion of Mr..
Dent, 1t was adopted, in the following words
THAT no conviction shall work corruption of blood
or forfeiture of estate.''
The 25th Goth, 9th, 2sth and 2eth articles
were adopted.
To the 3Oth article, Mr.. R. J. Brent moved an
amendment, that no judge or chancellor shall hold
any other office, &C.; which was adopted.
MIR. r. J. Brent offered further amendment
disqualifying judges from holding seats in any fu-
ture Convention on the Constitution.
| MIR. Hicks offered an amendment thereto, pro-
hibitng any member of the Convention from hold
ing any Office within the space of ten years, under
the new Constitution which was rejected by
vote of 80 to 80.
Mr.. Brent is amendment was then, after an nte-
resting debate, adopted
| After some further proceeding, the Convention
adjourned.
Feb 7. 1851.
The Convention met. Mr.. Jenifer, from COM
mittee, reported articles for the organization of
board of public works, to consist of three commits
sioners to be elected by the people at the time of
electing delegates to the Legislature one from
the Eastern, and two from the Western shore;
their term of service to be regulated as that
shall retire at a limited time. The Governor,
with the assent of the Senate, to temporarily fill
vacancies. The commissioners to represent the
State in its interest in public works, &C.. &c. Or
dered to be printed.
On motion of Mr.. Randall, statement of the
relative increase or dimunution of the slave and
free colored population of the State was directed
to be compiled from the various census reports.
On motion of DIR. Biser, the Convention pro-
ceeded with the consideration of the Declaration
of Rights. The question pending, being an amend
ment to the 33d, article offered by Mr.. Ridgely,
providing that q disbelief in future rewards and
punishment shall not operate to disqualiy persons
from acting as jurors, witnesses, &c.
Mr. Brent, of Baltimore, offered as substitute,
the following: ''Provided, that nothing herein
contained shall be so construed as to disquafy as
as witnesses, jurors, judges, other officers under
this Constitution and laws of the State, any atheist
or other person who does not believe in any
countabity to the Supreme Being for his acts.
Mr.. Ridgely accepted this substitute, and led off
Chandler, FRESHMAN, Merrick, Donaldson, Fiery,
Biser and Harbine, also spoke to the question:
The question was taken and the amendment was
re iected by vote of 25 to 80.
Mr.. Biser offered an amendment against any
ligious test as qualification either as witness,
to hold office, &c.
Mr.. Dorsey offered as substitute ssNor shall
any person be deemed incompetent witness or
Juror disqualified to hold any office under the
laws or Constitution of this State, except as here
matter provided by the Constitution of this State,
who believes in the existence of God, and that
under his dspensation such person will be held
morally accountable for his act, and be rewarded
punished therefor, either in this world in the
world to come
! Mr.. Biser accepted the amendment and the
question recurring upon it, MIR. Randall offered as
a substitute, ''that an oath may be legally admin
istered to any person who believes in a state of
| future rewards and punishment, by Supreme
Being, in this life or the life to come The
Convention refused to adopt the substitute, by a
vote of 81 to As.
The question was then taken on Mr. Dorsey S
amendment, and it was adopted by vote of Al
| to 81.
Progressing to the 41st article, (and last y pro-
vidng that this Declaration of Rights shall not be
altered, amended or abolished, except by such
manner shall be prescribed in this Constitution
Mr.. Thomas said he would not now interpose any
objection but should vote for it with view to
| enable him, at proper time, to move recon-
sideration.
Mr.. Freshman made similar announcement
when the article adopted.
MIR. Davis offered, as an additional article, a
provision empowering the Legislature to promote
agricultural and educational objects.
Mr.. Pressstman thought it unnecessary.
Pending this proposition (Mr. Park having init
mated desire to offer an article declaratory of
the power of the people to exercise all privileges
not positively forbidden in this Consttution) the
Convention adjourned.