The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-06-09
CONTENTION OF SHAREHOLDERS

yesterday morning at ten O'clock the delegates
to the Convention of Shareholders of the State of
Maryland met at Rechabte Hall, on Fayette street
near Frederick street.
Hon. John Thompson Mason, of Washington Co.,
moved that Judge Chambers of Kent county. be
called to the chair for the purpose of organizing
the Convention. Carried
The same gentleman nominated II. G. S. Kew.
Esq, of St. Marys, Vice President and Col. Geo.
W. Hughes, of Anne Arundel Secretary. Both
nominations were confirmed
Judge Chambers stated that at an informal meet
ing held on Tuesday night, which was attended by
large number of the Delegates to the Convention,
he had been appointed Chairman of a Committee
to prepare plan for the organization of the Con-
vention and also to present some suggestions in
regard to the rules which should govern the
body.
Mr.. Dennis, of Somerset, said that any suopes-
tons OF that character premature, and he
hoped the list of names of the delegates would first
be called.
Jas. 7. Earle, Esq., of Queen Annes, moved that
the present organization be declared the permanent
organization of the Convention. Carried by accla-
nation.
Judge Chambers. in accepting the office of Presi-
deht sad: he thanked the Convention for the com
plment paid aim. He would assure them that he
was fully aware that the responsibility which at
tached to the position was of no ordinary charac-
ter. large portion of the people of the State
were anxiOusly awaiting the result of the delibera-
tions OF this body, and he hoped that their action
would be such as to command the confidence and
support of the people at large. The subject they
had to deal with was one of the most delicate and
difficult now arresting public attention. 1t was
fraught with issues of vital Importance to the in
terests of the people of the State, and should be
met and treated with the solemnity and care which
its magnitude demanded. Men had their peculiar
views in regard to politics and religion ard gener
n init
ly diversified. He would be surprised if in this
Convention there should not be great difference of
opinion in regard to the proper course to be pur-
sued.
warn the members that they should act with care,
and take no step nor adopt any course of action
which will not meet the appreciation of those whom
they were here to represent. To conclude upon
measures which would not meet with the confidence
and support of the people of the State would not
only fail to accomplish any good or tend to pro-
tect the interests which they here to consider
but results would flow from such action which
would be injurious in the highest degree. He
therefore called upon the members of the Conven-
tion to consider well any subject or point which
they might introduce to the attention of the body
He was to act as President of the Convention
which he would do the best of his ability and he
hoped that unity of sentiment and concert action
would pervade the body.
Judge Mason said that as Chairman of the Com
mittee appointed at the informal meeting of the
delegates, he was instructed to recommend to the
Convention, that the rules and regulations which
govern the House Of Delegates of the State be
adopted for the government of the Convention.
The suggestion was embodied in the form of a
Iest luton, and adopted.
Judge Mason also stated that he had been in
structed by the Committee to suggest to the Con
vention that each county should be entitled to the
same number of representatives, votes, in the
Convention, to which it was entitled in the Lepsla
ture of the State.
Bradley I. johnson, ESQ.,, proposed to amend by
inserting that all votes should be taken by acca-
nation, but upon the call of any county for a vote
by counties, the same should be taken. Adopted.
| The resolution of Judge Mason, as amended, was
| then adopted.
| Gen. Walter Mitchell moved that John Richie,
| Esq, of Frederick county, be apponed Assistant
| Secretary. Carried.
Hon. j. A. Pearce, of Kent county, said that he
| believed that the Convention which met at Ca M
bridge, and which had issued the call for the pres
| ent Convention, was not composed exclusively of
shareholders, but as this Convention was, and as
the question Tor their consideration was one of such
vast importance, he had a resolution which he
deemed it proper to present and ask for its adop-
! ton. 1t is question which has demanded the al
tention, for many years, of the best minds of the
State, and there were many legislative enactments
| on the statute books which bear directly upon it.
! and which he had no doubt had escaped the mem.
ory, not only OF the masses generally but also of
the legal minds OF the State. 1t would be neces
sary to approach the question cautiously and treat
! 1T with much prudence. The enactments which
| have heretofore been made should be properly con
sdered, and the cause discovered, if possible, why
they have failed to afford the benefit which wa.
sought. To avoid the presentation of any matter
therefore, which has not been fully prepared and
properly matured, he offered the following resolu
| tion
| ResolUed, That Committee on Resolutions shall
! be appointed, to whom all resolutions shall be re
! ferred, and no resolution shall be entertained
! which has not been reported on by said Commit
! tee
| Mr.. James T. Earle moved that the committed
consist of eight persons-four from the eastern anC
! four from the western shore of the State. He wa:
under the impression that if the committee tC
consist of one from each county, it would prove toe
large for the despatch of business.
Mr.. Dennis, of Somerset, was in favor of one from
each county constituting the committee, as he
thought it of great Importance that the sentiment
of every section of the State should be fully ex
| pressed
Mr.. Earle withdrew his motion.
A motion that the committee consist of one from
each county was adopted.
The resolution OF the Hon. j. A. Pearce was ther
| adopted.
| The President appointed Hon. A. Pearc,