Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-03-05
MARYLAND REFORM CONVENTION.
ANNAPOLIS, Feb. "a, 1851

The Convention met The President laid before
the Convention a communication from the Trea-
surer in reply to the order calling for information
in regard to the purchase of lots erection of
houses, and inspection of tobacco, &c., in Balti-
more city. By which it appears that the total ex-
Penses incurred in the purchase of lots and erec-
ton of warehouses, including interest on loans,
is, 1929 1894 43
Of which there has been paid 559,3O4 76
Leaving balance due of S163,6S9 81
And that the expenses of inspection mas never
been direct charge upon the Treasury.
On motion of Mr.. Brown, the Convention pro-
ceeded to consider the articles reported to regu-
late the Legislative Department of the Govern
ment
Mr.. Phelps moved to strike out the 18th section,
which requires majority of the whole number of
members of each house to pass a law, and insert
one giving that power to Majority of those which
are required to form quorum.
The 18th section was adopted.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick gave notice of an additional sec
ton, giving power to the Legislature to exempt
from execution not more than $500 worth of house
hold furniture, or other property, of each family
in the State
Mr. Sprigg, proposed as the 10Th section, one
giving the House of Delegates the power of i'm
parchment, by the concurrence of a majority of
all the members. Impeachments to be tried by
the Senate, who shall take oath to try the same
according to the law and evidence, and requiring
the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senate.
Mr.. McHenry moved to strike out 'Stwo-thirds, :"
and insert ''a majority"
When, on motion of Mr.. Neill, the section was
informally passed over.
On motion Of Mr.. Ridgely the 10Th section was
amended by inserting, in the second line, the fol-
lowing: "Every such law shall distinctly specify
the sum appropriated, and the object to which to
be applied and by inserting at the end-.'not to
prevent the appropriation of a contingent fund to
be placed at the disposal of the Executive. -
On motion of MIR. Sprigg provision was added,
requiring the Governor to report at each session
the amount expended, and the objects and purpo-
ses to which applied. The section was then a.
dopted. The Goth section was also adopted.
MIR. Ridgely proposed, as a substitute for the
21st section, provision to prevent the credit of
the State from being given loaned nor shall
the Legislature contract any debt greater than half
million of dollars, and then only by fourth
vote of all the members of each branch of the Le-
gislature except debts for the suppression of in
surrection, repellng invasion, sc.
Substitutes also proposed for said section
by Messrs George, Hodson, Dent, Tuck, Weems
and Brewer, but, without taking vote on any of
them, the Convention adjourned.
Feb 25, 1851.
Mr. Smith, Chairman of the Committee on Ed,l-
cation, submitted report, providing that the Le-
gislature shall establish adequate and perma-
nent school fund, whenever the financial condition
of the State will permit, the existing school fund
and all additions received thereto to be securel
invested, and remain perpetual fund for educa
tional purposes, the income to be appropriated an
nuay for public schools, and prohibits the Legis
lature from using said fund for any other pur
pose whatsoever. Every year, the vo
tiers of the State to elect superintendent O.
education or common schools, and his salary to bt
fixed by law. For the establishment of Norma
School by the Legislature, for the preparation o
teachers for common schools and each county t.
no untitled tn ifS dictr ibntivo
existing laws. Ordered to be printed.
On motion of Mr.. Brown, the Convention passe'
to the order of the day, being the articles report
ed by the Legislative Committee.
vents the ncurrfng Of debts which are not redeem
able at the pleasure of the State
Mr.. Ridgely withdrew the substitute offered h,
him yesterday, and accepted that offered by Mr.
George.
On motion of Mr.. John Dennis, (accepted b,
MIR. George ,, the substitute of the latter gentleman
was amended by provision preventing the Legis
lature from mourning any debts except for the
public defence.
MIR. Donaldson offered substitute for that OF
Mr. George, and for the 21st section of the report
Whereupon long and highly interesting debate
arose, embracing the tax system of the State.
which was participated in by Messrs Merrck,
Thomas, Chambers of Kent, Spencer, Jenifer,
Grason, Donaldson, and others, when the substi
tute OF MIR. Donaldson was rejected
The substitute of Mr.. George, in these words.
was then adopted by large majority s'The Lee
glslature shall not hereafter have power to con-
tract debts, except for the defence of the State
unless such debt shall be authorised by law pro-
vidng for the collection of an annual tax or taxes
sufficient to pay the interest such debt as it fas
due, and also to discharge the principal of such
debt within fifteen years from the time of contract
ing the same. And the taxes laid for the purpose
shall never be repealed, or applied to any other
object until the said debt and the interest thereon
shall be fully discharged
"Article 2. The assent of two-t thirds of the men,
bers of each branch Of the Legislature, shall be
requisite to every bill appropriating the public
money, or pledgng the public faith, for local or
private purposes; and the Legislature shall not
have the power to make appropriations loans
or subscriptions, to any wok Of internal improve
ment.
The 2lst section was then adopted Mr. Nc
Henry gave notice that he would move a recon-
sideration thereof for the purpose of substituting
section which he read, when the Convention adj
journed.
Feb e6, 1851
Mr.. Harbine presented petition from sundry
citizens of Washington equity, that a prohibition
may be inserted in the new Constitution, against
the sale of Intoxicating liquors in this State ex-
cept by the sanction of majority of the voters re-
siding in the election district where it is sought to
be sold. Referred.
The Convention then proceeded to consider fur
thcr the articles reported to regulate the LegisIa
tive Department of the Government
Mr. Jacobs offered the following substitute for
the 22d section:
S'The present financial system shall remain in
violate until the State debt and interest thereon be
fully paid, OF the sinking fund be found sufficient
for the payment thereof, after which the Legisla-
ture shall provide by law for the annual distribu
ton among the several counties of the State and
city of Baltimore of the net revenues arising from
the internal improvement works, in the proportion
which, by taxation, they shall have contributed to
the same.''
A debate arose, In which Mnssrs Cha,ohas- &c