The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-01-28
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MARYLAND LEGISLATURE
ANNAPOLIS, January y, 1850.
SEN NATE

ANNAPOLIS, January 27, 1850.
SENATE.
After the close of my letter last evening the de
bate in the Senate was continued.
Mr.. MCkAIG said that the remarks of the gentle
man from Dorchester were all seemingly fair if t.
be judged by themselves; but we are to take int
consideration the fact that we are met at thu
threshold in this discussion by the threat that the
streets of Baltimore shall flow with blood to resis
the operation of these laws and especially of tn,
police bill, accompanied these threats were with
the notes OF preparation, and appeals for time tC
consummate them.
Colonel KIMMEL begged an opportunity to ex
plain, as he presumed the gentleman alluded to his
remark.
Mr.. MCkAIG-The gentleman IS entirely mista
ken. 1t is impossible for me to speak on any sub
lect without the gentleman imagining that | am
referring to him. was not thinking of the gen
teman.
Colonel KIMMEL replied that, although the gen.
tleman might not have intended it, his remarks
would be taken to refer to a declaration that he
had made, that the streets of Baltimore would flow
with blood if this bill passed. What said
was, that regarded this measure as of so outrap
Gus character, striking down the civil rights of
$50, 900 people, that it would not he surprising if
such was the result of it. The extinction of the
Edict of Nantes had produced the massacre of St
Bartholomew, and he regarded the police bill as a
measure traught with as great danger of bloOdshed
he was opposed TO all such Robesperean massa-
cres, and to all measures that might lead to them
Mr.. MCkAIG said that he had never heard before
that Robespiere had anything to do with the mas
sacre of St. Bartholomew. But we must live and
learn. If there to be bloodshed in Baltimore
in consequence of this bill, that would be nothing
new uncommon there They were used to it.
The gentleman talks of taking away the civil
rights of 250,000 people. Why, does the gentle
man not know that the people Of Baltimore have
no rights? They have been despoied of them
amidst scenes of blood, long ago. The gentleman
himself would not be allowed to vote, if resident
there, only as a matter of sut1erance. The brass
knucke and the slung-shot govern and control, and
the rule of that city has been rule of murder and
bloodshed. We are bOund-the CITY of Baltimore
has the right to call upon to come to their asss
tance, to protect them from the rule of blood
and violence. We of the counties have also the
right to know whether we are to be disfranchised
by the 10000 majorities manufactured to oyder by
that God-forsakeu city-the citv of blood and out
rage and violence-that is now in a condition that
is disgracefu to the age of civilization in which we
live. We met with threats of blood and vio-
lence If we attempt to put stop to murder and
outrage. He could, therefore, reason for de-
lay 1t is matter that requires prompt action,
and he hoped that no delays would be allowed.
Mr.. GoLDSBoRoUGH replied considerable len 9Th
asserting that the history of Baltimore for the last
twenty years one of Democratic fraud, vio-
lence and bloOdshed. When that city was regard
ed as the citadel of Democracy of the State. and
its majOrities were depended upon to help out the
lack of Democratic votes in the counties, there was
no attempt to bring in such measure as this. The
bloody deeds of the city were then lost sight of in
the welcome of Democratic majorities. He repeat
ed that he was prepared to honestly cO.operate
with all parties in protecting the purity of the bal
lot-boX and the rights of the people. All they
wanted was time and opportunity to see if they
could not propose amendments that would be ac-
ceptable to all parties.
Mr.. YELLoTT argued in favor of the proposition
to make them the order of the day for Wednesday
next. He was surprised that any member would
OBJECT to give the short time asked for the consid
Grafton OF such important measures. In reply to
the remark OF the Senator from Allegany, he said
that the inference from his remarks was that imme-
date action was required to preserve peace in the
city of Baltimore. Why, sirs, there is danger of
blood and violence in all parts of the country-ac-
cording to the resolutions now sleeping our
table from the other House-and yet the Senator
from Alegany takes no measures to prevent this
threatened dissolution of the Union. When those
resolutions came up for the action of this body we
desired speedy action but the gentleman from
Allegany moved that they be laid on the table,
Here was case for speedy action. There is
plenty of business to occupy the time of the Sen
ate until Wednesday next. He did not admit
the necessity of speedy action in regard to the local
laws.
AS to the general police and order of the city, he
could produce authority, and Democratic author
ity, to show that it is better now Than it was six
years ago. The great evil to be remedied was not
as to general disorders, but to disorders and
the resolutions introduced by Mr.. Gill at meeting
of the 1lth ward Reform Association in which it
was declared that the great evil sought to be rem
e1ied was violence and disorder election days
that at other times the city ALWAYS as orderly
as other cities. There is no election day now ap-
preaching, and why this great haste? When the
American party came into power they found these
political organizations in existence, and they have
endeavOred to reform and check them, but have not
yet entirely succeeded.
Mr.. 1ELLoTT proceeded to quote from the Penn
sylUanian of Philadelphia, describing the Empire
Club in 1854, under a Democratic Mayor and a
Democratic Police. That party of Phadelphi-
ans had visited Baltimore, and were pursued to the
cars and shot at in the presence of the police, by
the Emp,e Club; that the members of this Club
are Clerks of Courts and officials and that the
''city of Baltimore is in more deplorable condi-
tion than any city in the Union" This, he said,
was Democratic authority to show that the Ameri
can party found this condition of affairs in vogue
when they came into power. Fraud on election
davs, accompanied by violence, was nothing new
in Baltimore 1t is an old evil, and to sustain this
he read from the address of the Whig Central Com
mitee in 1874, in which forty of the most re-
spectacle gentlemen of the city declared that the
city had been carried by the Democratic party, by
fraud and violence. The name of Mr.. George NJ.
Gill, prominent gentleman in the Reform move
ment, and of the getters up of this bill, is
among the signers; and also the name of William
H. Gatchell, who is named in this police bill as one
of the Commissioners to be appointed, is also there.
They both vOuched for the truth of these charges
against the Democratic party, and both were gen
tlemen whose Veracity was not to be questioned.
These measures were prepared by citizens of Bal
timore-nOt Wings, nor Democrats and not Anne
ricans-but Reformers. Mr.. Yellott then proceeded
to review the formation of this party. The conduct
of the press of the city, and the violent language
that was used was quoted. After large and re.
spectacle meeting in Monument Square, one paper
termed them ga mass of congomerated ruffanism."
Such violence was unusual with the press of Bati-
Il
precedented occasoned. The election day ap-
preached and he looked to it with the most fearful
forebodings. The day closed, and on summing up
the events of the day, but two were kied-one
each side. He felt relieved that it not worse,
for he feared more serious results from the excite
ment that existed.
The getters up of these bills were mostly resi-
dents of the tenth and eleventh wards, some OF
whom were misused and maltreated, he would ad-
init, in most outrageous manner. He had not
read all their statements, but he had read enough
to know that they had been badly treated. He
would doubtless have felt, under similar treatment,
as they have felt, and he might have acted they
have acted. They went to bed that night in pas
sion and they got up in rage, and they have been
in that condition ever since. We ought not, how
ever, to be in such an excitement Those matters
ought to be acted on calmly and with deliberation;
and be therefore hoped that the bills would be made
the order of the day for Wednesday next.
The question was then taken on the motion to
make them the order of the day for Wednesday,
and lost-ayes 10, nays II.
Mr.. GoLDsBoRoUH, of Talbot, then offered
der, which was accepted, that the Senate meet
hereafter at ii o'clock.
Mr.. GOLDsBoRoUGH, of Dorchester, then moved
the bills be made the order of the day for Monday
next. Hostages 10, nays u.
The gentleman then meved that they be
made the order of the day for Saturday, declaring
most earnestly that his only desire was to obtain
time to fairly examine and consider the bills. He
could see no reason for this hot haste. He as
member of the Committee, had not read these bills,
and he did not believe that any member of the
Committee had read them.
Mr.. GoLDsBoRouGH, of Talbot, begged to inter
rupt the gentleman. As a member of that Commit
tee he must deny the assertion. He had read and
reread all those bills himself, and he would venture
to say that there was not Senator in this hall who
was not familiar with every provision contained in
these bills. They have been published in all the
papers, and read in all portions of the State. No
one who takes any interest in them is ignorant of
their provisions.
Mr.. GoLDsBoRoUGH, of Dorchester, resumed, and
said that alterations and amendments had been
made in these bills since they were originally pub
ished, and no one knows what those changes are.