Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-02-26


SSc. with an increase OF representation according
to limited increase of population. The Senate
to consist of twenty-five Senators Baltimore tc
select two senators. The report concludes with
table of population, &c, and will constitute the
House of Delegates of 90 members.
Mr.. Howard gave notice of report embodyine
his views.
Mr.. Chambers, of Kent submitted report from
the minority of said committee, to make the whole
population the basis of representation in the House
of Delegates instead of Federal numbers. Every
county having population of less than 5000 tc
have three delegates-15, 900 and less than 25 900
four delegates-25, 900 and less than 80 200, five
delegates-ahove 80 900, six delegates-the city
of Baltimore to have many the largest coun-
ty. This would give Sc members altogether
This is signed by Z. F. Chambers, James Kent
and J. Dennis.
MIR. Lloyd, from said committee, submitted the
following rule of apportionment
Senate to be constituted as at present
House to consist OF 81 members. Until the num-
Der OF sc delegates be attained, every 5000 in
habitants to have delegate, and thereafter
every % 900 inhabitants to be entitled to dele
gate. If in any county, or city of Baltimore, there
shall be fraction less than six thousand and more
than three thousand, such fraction to be entitled
to delegate.
| On motion Of Mr. Howard the Committee on
Future Amendments of the Constitution was di-
rected to inquire into the expediency of authors-
ing the Governor 10 arrange and declare by procla
nation IN 1862, and every tenth year thereafter the
number OF Delegates to which each county, &c. is
entitled under the United States census according
to such basis may be established by this Conven-
ton, and providing for taking the Of the peo-
| pie every ten years, upon the expectancy of call
/ ing a Convention for The revision of the Constiu-
ton, and if majority declare in favor thereof,
the Governor to take the Necessary steps for the
election of delegates thereto, and for converting
| the same.
The order Of the day-being the articles in re-
ference to the Legislative Department-was again
under consideration.
| The question pending was on the adoption of the
second article, as amended yesterday, on the mo-
ton Of Mr.. Spencer, providing for taking vote
of the people Cat the time Of voting the new
Constitution for against annuu sessions of the
Legislature, not TO continue in session over forty
days-the article itself providing for biennial SEES
sions.
After some debate, MIR. Dorsey moved fur
Their amendment, by striking out the words, s:the
general election and inserting ether respective
elections, except in to fill vacancies in I'M
expired terms Determined in the affirmative
The second section, as amended, was then adopt
ed by vote of 80 to 81.
The Convention then adjourned
Feb. II, 1851.
After some discussion about unimportant mat
tiers the Convention resumed the order of the day
being the report of the Committee the Legisla-
tive Department.
On motion of Mr.. Biser, the vote was taken on
striking out the 4th and 9th sections of the report
and not agreed to.
| MIR. Dirickson gave notice of motion to rec on
slider the second section of the report
Mr.. Thomas moved to amend the 5th section BY
inserting the word 'ssecond'' between the word
ssevery' and s'year,'' so as to have the sessions
of the Legislature every second year.
Mr. Spencer moved to insert in said 5th section,
after 1851, the following, ''and on the same day in
! 1853. This amendment was agreed to, and makes
session in 1852 and 1853
| Mr. Thomas moved an amendment, that the BIZ
ennial sessions commence in 1854,
Pending this amendment the Convention ad-
journed.
Feb. IS. 1851
appointed the following gentlemen to devise some
means to facilitate the business of the Convention:
Messrs. Ricaud, Schey, Morgan and Brown.
On motion of Mr.. Fiery, the Convention resum-
ed the order Of the day, being the report from the
Committee on the Legislative Department, the
question pending being the motion of Mr..
! Thomas to commence elections of members for
biennial sessions in 1854, as an amendment to
that of Mr.. Spencer, previously adopted, requiring
two annual sessions after the adoption of the new
Constitution.
Mr.. Drickson, in accordance with previous no.
/
second section, which assentcd to, and Mr..
Spencer thereupon withdrew his amendment APP
pended thereto. providing for submitting the ques-
ton of annual or biennial sessions to a vote of the
people at the time of voting upon the new Consti-
tuition.
! Several amendments having been offered and re
jeCted, the said second section finally adopted
which essentially provides for biennial sessions
iGasmuch as delegates to be elected every Sc
cond year.
| The question recurring on the aforegoing amend
ment, by Mr.. Thomas, it was adopted by vote
of SO to 81
MIR. Chambers, of Kent, gave notice of his in
tention to move a reconsideration of this vote.
The 9Th and 9th sections were adopted. The
It'll section was amended and adopted The Sth
was adopted.
The 9th section coming up, Mr.. Gwinn moved
an amendment respecting the qualification of mem
bers, when Mr. Rldgely, stating the absence of Mr.
Chandler, (from sickness, who desired to be heard
on the subject the section was Informally passed
over.
Section 10, prescribing an oath for members of
the Legislature, was, on motion of Mr. Stewart
of Caroline, stricken out
The 1lth, 18th, 18th, 14th and 18th sections,
with slight amendments, were adopted.
The 18th section being under consideration, Mr..
Stewart. of Caroline, moved an amendment re-
qIiring every future act of the Legislature to be
an original act and not as supplement- so as
to produce a new and condensed form of laws to
which Mr.. Sprigg moved a further amendment,
providing that each new act shall only embrace
one specific subject.
Pending debate on these propositions the Con-
venton adjourned.
Feb. 10, 1851
The President laid before the Convention me-
mortal nmerously signed by citizens of the CITY of
New York, setting forth the evils growing out of