Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-05-02
MARYLAND GEOSsLArUaE.
Especial scssion.l
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

The House met a. the usual hour, ten o'clock
Mr.. Wootton presented the petition of 2l6 voters Of
Prince Georges county praying the Legislature to pass
An act of Secession Immediately. Referred 10 the Oom
mittee on Federal Relations.
Mr. Parran obtained leave TO report bill to authorize
the County Commissioners of the State to levy on the
essabe property of the counties such amount as they
nav deem necessary for the defence OF their respective
counties.
Mr.. Wallis offered the following joint resolutions:
Whersas Owing TO the extraordinary condition OF
things which existed in the city Of Baltimore on ana
snce Friday the 10Th Of April 1861, 1t became aoso-
uey necessary for the protection OF the peace OF the
citv Of Baltimore and for the preservation and security
of the lives and property Of the inhabitants thereof 10
aop. imme stately extraordinary measures suited TO the
crisis and calculated prevent the then threatened
danger; and -,
Wb.reqs, Owing to the fact that the Legislature Of
this State was not then in session, and that II action nau
been postponed until the Legislature could meet would
have en- too late to provide for the actual state Oh
Fhyeas By the direction and with the consent of the
Governor Of THE State the Mayor Of the city OF BATH
more and the Police Commissioners OF the SAID cry,
steps were Immediately takcn in no aggressive spirit
but for the sole purpose of placing the city OF Baltimore
in condition. as far as possible, of security and safety
and ,
Whereas. The measures thus adopted and pursued
meet with the appreciation and concurrence OF tn Ten
esl Assembly Of this State they having been adopted
the general gOOQ anu ~ pIOtcSllOu anu
ent of the great and material interest OF the people OF
this State therefore, be it
Resolyed Jv the General assembly of Maryland, That
the measures adopted and conduct pursued by the au
thores of the city OF Baltimore on Friday, the 18TH oil
April 1861 and since that time, intended and designed
as they were TO preserve the peace quiet and tranquility
of the city of Baltimore and to place that city in con
don of security and safety, be, and the same are mere
nv ratified approved of aud made valid by the General
assembly and declared have been necessary for the
public good and the protection of the lives and property
of the people of Baltimore.
The resolution lies over.
Mr. Holland offered an order that the Governor and
Adutant General be required TO report early to the
use what amount OF the $4,000 appropriated at the
last session of the Legislature 10 arm the State has been
expended
Mr. Scott reported bill to provide for the call of a
Sovereign Convention Of the people Of Maryland on
Thursday, the S0th of May. On motion, the bill was
referred to the Committee of Federal Relations
Mr. Wallis offered an order that the Governor be re-
uuesed to furnish the House. a his earliest convenience
wih COPY of his letter TO the Secretary OF War, TO
which the letter of the latter bearing date April l7th
1851 is reply; and also copies OF all other cores
pondence which may have taken place between himself
and apy other officer or officers of the General Govern
mcnt since the 4.h day OF March last. Adopted.
A message from the Senate proposing Joint Special
Committee of five from each House 10 consider what
business s most imporan: for early action, etc. was
concurred in.
Mr. Wallis from the majority Of the Committee on
Federal Relations, TO whom was referred the memorial
of two hundred and sixteen voters OF Prince GeorSe
county, praying the Legislature, If in its judgment 1t
possesses the power pass Ordinance OF Secession
vi bout delay reported that in their judgment the Leg
sire does not possess the power TO pass such an Or
dnance as is prayed and that the prayer oil the SAID
memoralists cannot therefore be granted
Tue report is sgned by Messrs. Willis, Long, Dennis
Brscoe and Compton.
Messrs Gordon aud GolisbOrough of the Committee
on Federal Relations offered maority report stating
that they report uRavorable to the prayer OF said memo
ralists.
Mr. Dennis moved that the minority report be subs.-
tu,ed for the majority report.
The motion WIS discussed by Messrs. Wallis, Gord)r
Dennis, Compton, Pits, Chaplain, Briscoe Ling az
Dennison.
Mr. Wallis said the motion presented the direct ques
ton 10 the House of the constitutional power OF nc
Legislature 10 pass an act Of secession he IN favor
ofimmedatey taking the Of the House on tie sub
ec and settling the public mind as to the sentiment and
&C ion OF the Legislature.
sr. Gordon ssii it presented only tie question OF
the expediency OF gaming the prayer OF the pet
tio1ers.
The vote was then taken, and the motion ected
by ayes -, nays SO.
This vote was regarded by many members as ind-
GAZING their views upon the constitutions point iny1lv
ed
The majority report was then adopted without divis
ion being called for
The House then adjourned till the usual hour of four
o'clock,
EVENING SESSION.