Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-09-29

" United States" are forever disqualified
from voting, or holding any Office in this
State, and the Judges Of Election are di-
rccted to require every citizen to purge
himself of these offences under oath be-
fore he can cast his ballot at any cleo
ton.
The General Assembly is required to
provide by law for uniform registration
of the names of all the voters in this
State and also for taking the votes Of
soldiers in the Army of the United
States serving in the field.
The effect of these provisions will be
to conline the right of voting in this State
to the loyal citizens thereof, and to Sc
cure to its soldiers in the armies of the
United States, the right of suffrage at
all elections, wherever they may be On
the day Of the election.
The oath of office to be taken by all
persons elected or appointed to any office
of profit or trust under this Constitution
differs from that imposed upon such Off
GERS under the old Constitution; in that
the party must swear, among other things
that he has been truly and Loyalty on the
side of the United States, against those
in armed rebellion against the United
States; and that he will to the best of his
ability protect and defend the Union of
the United States, and not allow the same
to be broken up and dissolvcA and that
he will at all times discountenance and
oppose all political combinations having
for their object such dissolution or de-
struction.
An honest fidelity to the oath Of Office,
will hereafter prevent all State officers
from engaging in any schemes for the
dissolution of the Union, or the secession
Of the State. ..g
In the Executive Department there is
no change whatever, except the creation
of the Office of Lieut. Governor, who is
made er-cBicio president of the Senate
with casting vote in that body. In
case of the death or resignation of the
Governor, the functions of that Office de-
volve upon him until the expiration Of
the term.
Very considerable changes are made i'll
the Basis of Representation in the Legis-
laturc. Tt rests upon the mhtte popula-
ton of the State and members Of the
House of Delegates are chosen according
to certain fixed ratios of population =
Baltimore City is divided into three Dis
tricts each of which will have Senator
and six delegates. The Senate W ii con-
sist of one Senator from each County,
and one from each OF the districts of Bal
timore city; twenty-four members in all.
The House of Delegates will consist of
eighty members, of which, Allcgany
County is entitled to five. The General
Assembly will meet bicnnially as now
There is no limitation of the length of
session, but no member shall receive a
compensation exceeding four hundred
dollars No mileage is allowed to mem
bers of the Assembly, and the per diem
of five dollars is confined to actual atten-
dance upon the sessions, unless absent on
account of sickness.
Extensive restrictions upon local leg
slation by the General Assembly, are
imposed by the new Constitution, but
general laws are required to be passed to
meet all such cases as have heretofore
been provided for by local and special
legislation. Provision is made for the
accession to this State Of adjoining coun-
ties of Virginia, West Virginia and Dis
trict of Columbia.
The Board of Public Works is abol-
ished, and the care of the States interest
in the Internal Improvements is confided
to the Governor, Comptroller and Treas
urer, who may sell the State stock in the
Bait. & Ohio Bailroad for an equal amount
of the bonds or registered debt now ow-
ing by the State. They may also sell
the Canals subject to ratification by the
ensuing General Assembly.
The Legislature shall provide by law a
system of registration of births, deaths
and marriages. This has been adopted
in many of our sister States, and it has
been tho means Of furnishing invaluable
information upon the condition
of the people, deduced from these tables
of health and longevity.
In our Judgment it is blemish to the
new Constitution, that it retains the an
tiquatcd and absurd provisions of the CID
one on the subject Of usnry. 1t provides
that no higher rate than six per cent.
shall be taken or demanded, thus dcclar-
ing the sale of United States Bonds
bearing 7 $40 per cent. interest, illegal
in this State! Fortunately the Consti-
tuition acknowledges that the laws of the
United States are supreme, and thus no
harm is done.
We propose to recur to this subject
again next week.