The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-13
STATE CONFERENCE CONVENTION,

body. Neither were there so many spectators, the
galleries not being full, and there were but few on
the floor of the Convention. About hafpast elev-
en- o'clock the President, Judge Chambers, arrived
and in few minutes called the convention to or
der. He then said:
The body has reassembed in accordance with resou
on adopted by the convention the 10th of February
The body he continued reassembled in consequence
the failure of certain contingency named in that
luton IT is obvious that some potent has caused
the small attendance. can answer for the which
have prevented the attendance of my colleagues
delegates resident in section Of the State. 1t is
owing to the fact that it confidently that the
Governor of the State intended to comply with
the request OF the Convention. and issue his
| proclamation calling Convention of the people
of the State Intimate personal friends of the Governor
had stated that such would be his action and as
assembling of this body rested this contingency,
was deemed useless by many of the delegates to attend
II was probable that the Convention would not meet and
il it did nothing would be done. am say that
from information which received from the immediate
Governor would call the Convention and am here more
because am the presiding officer of the body than from
any expectation that there would be any necessity for the
Convention to assemble. When arrived in the city yes
terday confidently expected to see the Governors
clamation in the daily papers. am now however, con-
WINGED, from information which have received from the
friends of Gov Hicks, who have had recent and direct
communication with him that he will not call Conyen
ton and the hope such action cannot
tanned. 1t is his intention not to call Convention
II was the belief that he would that has kent INV col
leagues and others at home. 1t is for this Conven
ton to take such action the circumstances demand
| The Secretary will call the roll.
CO. w alSn moved tnat the calling OF the roll be
| dispensed with, and also moved that the Committee
on Business appointed at a former meeting of the
body be reappointed, with instructions to report
business for the COnvention and for the purpose of
giving the committee time to act, he moved that
the body adjourn until ten O'Clock tomorrow this)
morning
Mr.. Bond, of Anne Arundel, called for the read
| ing OF the names of the committee
| T. Parkin Scott, Esq, doubted the propriety of
| reconstructing the committee. With the presen-
tation oft report at the former meeting the pow
| ers of the committee died.
| The President requested Col. Walsh to divide his
motion, which was done, and that portion moving
that the calling of the roll be dispensed WITH put
| and carried This created considerable confusion |
many members saying that they had misunderstood
the question: and asked that the question be again
| put.
Wm. p. Whytc, Esq, moved that the counties be
called, and those having representations on the
| floor should answer
The President said it would first be necessary to |
! reconsider the vote
DR.. Lynch moved that the vote be reconsidered |
and that the roll be called. Carried.
The Secretary commenced calling the roll There |
was but one delegate answered from Allegheny.
VIM. Z. Whyte moved that the calling of the roll |
be dispensed with, and that the counties be called
Carried
The counties were called and delegates answered
from all except Prince George, Talbot, Worcester
and Caroline.
Col. Walsh then renewed his motion reconstruct
ing the Committee on Business.
DR.. Lynch said that there were several vacancies
on the committee, which should be filled up.
Col. Walsh amended his motion, by empowering
the committee to fill vacancies.
DR.. Lynch moved a substitute that the delepa-
tons OF the counties where the vacancies occurred
be empowered to fill them. Carried
1. Pan kin Scott said that he must again suggest
the lmpropriety of reconstructng the committee |
No good could result from sending the resolutions
offered in Convention, to a committee No good
had resulted from similar action at the former
meeting, and he was now in favor of discussing the
EeVera, DrODOsikiOns in the
be an interchange Of views among the members
and final action taken by the body of the Conven-
tion.
Judge Freshman said that the gentleman (Mr
Scott) had said that no good had been done by
the Convention. This, he thought was an intima-
ton that it was the fault of the committee, that
good results had not followed its labors
Mr.. Scott said that he had no intention of con.
veylng such an ntmaIion. 1t was farthest from
his ideas.
MIR. Freshman said lie was aware that the gentle
man mad no such intention. He rose for the purpose
OF saying that il the committee raised he intend
ed to submit resolution which he would move
should be referred to that committee. The action
OF Virginia was what this Convention was waiting
for, and since the adjournment Virginia had taken
no action. He desired to assert boldly that the
people OF Maryland had lost of their convic-
tions as to what course should be pursued; that
they were still convinced that the border States
should take position in this crisis, and that the
course Of Maryland should be that of Virginia.
What was sound policy at the former meeting of
the Convention was more now. If it was pru-
dent to await the action of Virginia month ago.
now. His reason for introducing this subject now
was to place the body in its true position before
the country. Let the South and the whole
country know that the people OF Maryland are
still welded to the constitutional rights of the :
people He then read as part of his remarks the
resolutions passed at the former meeting of the
Convention, and then said that, in conjunction with
a resolution, (Which he read he desired to refer
them to the committee. Maryland has held up her
a11 for tba nir,la 6ia1 O1,,
tions, and she is ready to strike for them unless
other parties are cravens in the contest.
VIM. II. Norris, Esq, said that he rose for the
purpose of gaining information. He wanted to
know if he had understood the President correctly.
Had he received his information that it was the in
tention of the Governor to call the Convention,
from reliable sources?
The President-From what we thought was re- |
LIABLE but it has proved very unreliable.
Mr.Norris-We, has the information which you
received that it was not his intention to call the
Convention, been derived from the same class of
friends who Informed you that he undoubtedly
would?
Judge Chambers-Since my arrival in the city
learned that the Governor had been here, and had
expressed his views on the subject to a number of
gentlemen | saw and conversed with the gentle
men to whom the Governor had expressed himself. |
They stated to me that at present it his deter
minatiOn not to call Convention, reserving to
himself the right to change his mind in the future.
| asked these gentlemen if they would authorize
me TO use the information, and they consented.
| have more doubt that the Governor will refuse
to call Convention than have that the sun gives
light at monday.
MIR. Norris.-I only asked the question to remove
an obstacle. That obstacle is the Governor of Ma
ryand, and hope that he will no longer be allow
ed to be such in regard to the action of this Con-
venton. lie has proved himself full of dupicity.
He has one face for the Eastern Shore for this
locality, and it may be a third for Annapolis.
Judge Chambers.-The gentleman will confine
himself to the discussion of the question before the
Convention, being the proposition to reconstruct
the committee.
Mr. Norris-The chair indulged nv colleague in
remarks of similar view, and desire to express
myself.
The Presidsnt.-The gentleman (Mr. Presstman)
spoke to the question. His remarks were advanced
for the purpose of showing cause why the Conven-
tion should raise the committee. and what he
intended to introduce for the consideration Of that
committee.
Mr.. Norris.-That is what am about to get at,
sir. But am not here to suit my remarks to the
pleasure of any man. | would scOrn to be here to
speak in compliance to the beck of any individual
| am here to express my own sentiments openly
and fearlessly.
The Presdent-The Chair does not understand
| the gentleman. His remarks are certainly not
intended for the Chair.
Mr.. Norris-No, sir; certainly not.
The Presdent-The gentleman understands the
Chairs ruling to be a correct one?
Mr.. Norris-Yes, sir. The Chair is right, but
it should not place me in a wrong position.
The President-The gentleman can appeal from
|
| Mr.. Norris-No, sir. l know you are right, and
| l only desired to place myself ri ght ALSO
| When this Convention was in session on the 18th |
and 10Th of February, it held up the Governor
| authority. 1t appointed a committee of gentlemen
to wait upon him and ask for his cooperation. He
received that committe and promised to treat their
| application with profound consideration. The |
character of the committee, he said, such to
| demand profound consideration of this applica-
ton, and it should receive it. At the very time he
was making these professions to the committee he |
| had written letter to the Alabama Commissioner,
| in which he unequivocally refused to call Con- |
| vention.
He kept this action secret, and led the committee
to believe that their application would receive re-
| spectful attention Mr.. Hagner, who had induced |
that action, wrote letter to the other members of
the committee, stating that he had every
to believe that the Governor would comply with the
| request. What the result has been we all know |
! He was approached with manness promptness and |
TRUTH and he has acted with duplicty and tricks.
| In the future must take action with the ex-
pectation that we will receive any support from
| such a quarter. We have nothing but tricky poll |
ticians both at Annapolis and Washington. 1t is |
time they should be discarded and left to the fate
which awaits them. They are not fit to treat with
a free, frank, simple people.
| 49, The President-The gentleman is out of ORDER
Inc Char rules that be is not speaking to the ques
tlon. An investigation of Gov. Hicks private acts
| fore hope he will desist.
| Mr.. Norrls-l will refrain, but on other
| occasion will express my views.
| Mr.. Grlswold, of Dorchester, said that he rose
to express the hope that the Convention would not
sink its dignity by any reference either by resolu-
ton or otherwise, to the individual who by COM
| plaisance is called the Governor of this State
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