Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-04-29
MARYLAND LEGIsLATURE

SATURDAY, April 27-The Senate has Just passed
bill repeating the 18th section Of article xii Of
the code Of public and general laws, and enaciing
the following ss a substitute thereof -. Cd. ~
{" No bank shall issue any note, certificate or
other device to be circulated as currency Of less
denomination than one dollar, under the penalty
prescribed In the article on currency the act to
take effect from the date of Its passage.n ,...-
In the House Of Delegates the above bill was
referred to committee consisting Of Mesars Pitts,
Harrison, and Briscce
was instructed to consider and report in regard to
the legalzation of the existing suspension Of
specie payment by the hanks. ..,...-
The Senate has also adopted address to the
people Of Maryland stating that the Leg islature
will not pass act Of secession. but If they be-
lieve the people desire IT, they will give them an
opportunity OF declaring for themselves their fu-
lure destiny. The House has not vet acted on this
add ress, but have appointed committee TO report
an act for the call Of convention of the people OF
Maryland. -----
THB GovERNoR's MESSAGE
Governor Hicks transmitted his message to the
Legislature to-day He briefly details the startling
events which induced him TO assemble the Legis-
lature. He says he labored earnestly to induce
the President to forego his purpose of passing
troops through Maryland, but the reply was that
military necessity rendered 1t unavoidable. He
s1ys he refused General Butler bis consent to land
his forces He protested against bis taking pos
session of the Annapolis railroad and in this con-
nectIon saws: "Notwithstanding our most learned
and intelligent citizens admit the right Of the
Government TO transmit the troops over the rail-
road, 1t Is evident that the feelings Of the people
OF Maryland are opposed to the exercise Of the
right" The Governors convictions are that the
only safety Of Maryland lies In preserving neu-
tral position between our brethren of the North
and Of the South. Maryland has violated no right
OF either section, and we have done all that we
can to avert the impending war He has hoped
that MARYLAND might have acted a mediator
he cannot counsel Maryland to take sides against
the General Government until IL shall commit
Z iusfff fv In aief
ance To Its authority. Our geograp aphical position
forces Us TO this. This has been, he SAYS all the
while the groundwork of bis policy. He is con-
WINGED that bis policy has been warranted by
large majority Of the people. He appeals to the
Legislature not to be swayed by passion, but to
act with prudence and Christian-like temper
OTHER MATTERS.
The members of the Legislature manifest no
disposition to exercise the powers Of a Convention
by passing an act of secession. They seem to be
covered by the most prudent counsels, and will
tue people. The Legislature will be likely to act
promptly upon the subject Of banking and cur
rency Of the State. Ii is thought that some mea-
sures will be brought forward looking TO propo-
s;dons to be made through special Dmittees Of
the Legislature to Virginia and the Federal Gov
eminent for the cesss on, for twelve months or
so, of all hostilities between contending parties
for the possession Of the National Capital ] can.
not learn that any movement will be made 70 d a
turb the ofical position Of Gov. Hicks-Baltt-
more Clipper.
ErsHing Session MIR. Dennis reported bill
to raffy an amendment to the Constitution Of the
United States, recommended by the late Congress;
which was referred To the Committee on Federal
Relations
A bill to authorize the Mayor and City Council
OF Baltimore to raise and appropriate money for
the defense OF the city, was passed, and is now a
law.
A bin to ratify an ordinance of the Mayor and
City Council Of Baltimore, appropriating five
hundred thousand dollars for the defense OF the
city against any danger that may arise out Of the
present crisis and to provide for the same by tax
alton OF otherwise, az they may deem advisable,
was passed, and Is now a law
message was received from the Executive
enclosing the correspondence between the Gov
ernOr and the Sheriff Of Frederick county 10
which the latter enclosed dispatch from C. F.
Wenner dated April "a, 1861, stating that his
boat. loaded with grain, bound from Berlin 10
Georgetown, 10 detained at Point Of Rocks by
order of the officers in command Of Harper.
Ferry, and bis grain is being loaded in the cars
to GO to Harper's Ferry. ! demand, he SAYS your
presence at this point, and will hold the State Of
Maryland responsible for protection and DAM
ages. ----
Mr. Wenner states that he made some resistance
until the officers ordered the soldiers to fire after
a mi nutes notice.
The message and correspondence was referred
to the Committee on Claims
Mr.. Wortbington offered an order REQUESTING
the Governor to inform the House of the number
and quality OF arms in the armory at Frederick
city; the number Of troops now in service at said
arsenal; whether said troops are to be paid or not
and what amount Of pay they are to receive; why
said troops were called into service and what ne
cessity there is for continuing them in service;
adopted. ''
Both branches adjourned to Monday at Ten
O'clock - 49,