The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-27

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT
THE CLOSE OF THE sEssIoN-THE DIFFICULTIES IN THE
WAY OF PRoGREss-MEAsUREs YET TO BE ACTED on
THE DIFFICULTY BETWEEN MEssRs. GORDON AND
FREANER.
ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 25, 1860.
AS the session wanes, some of the evils of our
State Constitution stand out in holder relief. It
seems to be a Constitution founded on general dis
trust and suspicion. There is stumbling block in
everyoody's way-a general tying up of hands
Especially is this the with regard to the Legis
lature In the first place the Constitution is filled
with matters which ought to have been left entirely
TO legislation and which cannot be repealed Then
the Legislature is authorized to assemble only once
in two years and is compelled to rise after ses-
sion OF about sixty working days. Besides all this
there are distractions interposed to the progress
bills which tend very much to impede business, and
produce no good result whatever. The effect of all
this is unqaesionably to increase the power of the
Lobby, because it is thereby rendered necessity.
People having business with the General Assem-
bly, of the most meritorous character are afraid to
trust to the chances of fair consideration of their
Claims in the face Of the inevitable crowd of men
and measures. Those who have schemes of doubt
full nature. rendered doubly unscrupulous and
reckless. In consequence of the shortness and in
frequency OF the sessions, the members of expert
ence are fewer than they should be- The very
ues and order OF business unknown, and not
| acquired till the session h as nearly passed away.-
At this moment, the condition of things here NAV
be likened to crowded house on fire with put one
door to safety. Everybody wants to get out.
and with GOODNESS and good order most of them
might effect their escape. But no man knows who
Is to be left behind; each is afraid it NAV be him
seif-so all rush towards the entrance, trample
crush and smother each other, and by their despe-
rate struggles to pass through, efectuaIy close up
the means of exit.
1t is particularly unfortunate, in nv Judgment
that no steps have been taken by the present Leg
lslature to have vote on the question of new
Constitutional Convention in advance of the period
prescribed in the Constitution itself Very few
people are aware that in the regular course of pro-
ceedlngs, IN accordance With the mode provided in
that instrument, we cannot have another Constitu-
ton in operation before 1867 The vote on the
same subject two years ago test and the
conservative feeling which is required to reform the
obnoxious features OF our present social compact
viii probably never be stronger in the State than
at the present moment. But of course it is now too
late, and we shall have to scramble along as we
best may, for years to come, as in years past.
Only two weeks of the session of 1860 now re-
main. The Legislature of Maryland must adjourn
on Saturday, the 10th of March, and it has vet to
dispose of all the election cases, of Judge Stump,
OF the election of United States Senator of the
Registry law, the Brock charter, the Eastern Shore
Railroad bill, the Canal bill, the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad measure, and numerous others of
to individuals. Many of these things are still in
committees, which unwilling or unable as vet
to report.
Out Of this delay, in the case of the committee
upon Judge Stump, there difficulty which
led to an unfortunate collision, on Friday evening
between two of the most prominent ard estimable
members of the House of Delegates-Messrs Cor
don, of Allegany, and Freaner, of Washington
county. Mr.. Freaner, just before the adjournment,
otfgred an order calling upon that committee, of
which Mr. e. is chairman to report on Monday
next. The question was put and adopted with such
speed as not to allow any chance for explanation.
As soon as the House adjourned, which was mo-
ment alter, Mr. Gordon, who seemed to regard the
order as reflection upon himself, approached Mr.
Freaner's place. and made of harsh language
which that gentlemen repealed with his accustomed
spirit and the immediate consequence was an I'M en-
Change OF blows, resulting in Mr. Gordon receiving
severe fall, cutting his face against the corner of
desk. The whole affair did not occupy a moment
and though your correspondent was standing
within a few feet of the parties he knew nothing
OF it until it became the subect of conversation in
the Hail. am very happy to be able to say that
the misunderstanding adjusted to, day in the
frank and manly spirit which characterizes both
gentlemen, wihoutany of those diplomatic proceed
lngs, in which persons whose courage NAV be more
doubtful are fond of INDUCING