Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1864-06-02
Maryland Constitutional Convention

ANNAPOLIS, Nay 24.-Mr. schley. of Fred
erck, offered an order that the per diem Of mem
bers shall cease on the 9th day Of June.
Mr.. Daniel moved to lay the order upon the
table. which was a1opted-yeas 48, nay 81.
The order of the day-beng the report of
the Committee on the Bill of Rghts-was taken
up. The amendments Of Mr. Jones, Of Som
erset to the first article Of the declaration being
under consideration. -, |
After discussion by Messfs. Dass1iel, Bond
Berry of Prince Georges, Sands and Negley,
all the amendments were rejected.
The first clause of article first was passed to
its second reading unanimously, and the last
clause by yeas II, nays Il. -
The Convention adjourned.
May 25.-The Convention met at II o'clock
Present IS members.
Mr.. Clarke of Prince Georges's. Chairman Of
the Committee to consider and report respect
ing the appointment, term of Office, duties and
compensation of all civil officers not embraced
in the duties of other standing committees pre-
sented the following report:
Section l. The Governor, the Comptroller OF
the Treasury and the Treasurer shall constitute
the Board Of Public Works, who shall exercise
a dligent and faithful supervision of all public
works in which the State may be interested as
stakeholder or creditor, and shall appoint drec-
tors in every railroad or canal company in which
the State has the legal power to appoint direc-
Tors, which said directors shall represent the
State in all meetings of the stockholders of
every railroad or canal company in which the
State is a stakeholder. 1t shall be the duty of
the said board of public works to review, from
time to time, the rate of tolls adopted by any
company use all legal powers which they may
possess to obtain the establishment OF rates of
tolls which may prevent any Injurious compe-
tition with each other to the detriment of the
interests of the State, and so to- adjust them as
to promote the agriculture ofathe State. The
said board Of public works shall keep a journal
of their proceedings they shall hold regular
sessions in the city of Annapolis on the first
Monday in January, July and October in each
year. and oftener if necessary, at which sessions
they shall hear and determine such matters as
affect the public works Of the State, and the
Legislature may confer upon them the power
to decide. They shall, at each regular session
ri TIE AID sddh
as they shall deem necessary and requisite to
promote or protect the interests of the State in
the public works, and perform such other du-
ties as may be hereafter prescribed by law
The Governor, Comptroller, and Treasurer shall
receive an additional salary for the Services rem
dered as members of the board of public works.
Section 2, provides for the election of Com
missioner Of the Land Office for six years. at
a salary Of $1,000 per year.
Section provides that the State Librarian
shall be elected for four years by the Legsla-
ture, at salary Of $500.
Section 4, provides that County Commission
ers shall be elected by general ticket, and not
by districts, every two years, &c.
Sections, S, 6 and provide for the election
f,f Snn AID
Wreckmaster of Worcester county, in the same
manner now elected.
The order of the day, being the report of the
Committee on the Declaration of Rights was
taken up, the following article being under con-
sderation:
''Article g. That the people of this State
ought to have the sole and exclusive right of
of regulating the internal government and po-
lice thereof" Mr. Peter offered an amendment,
which was rejected.
Article coming up, amendments were pro-
posed by Messrs. Marbury, Jonestof Somerset,
and Belt, all of which were rejected, and the ar
tilcle then adopted. .=f --,
Tie 4th article, declaring that "every citizen
owes paramount allegiance to the Constitution
and Government of the United States" &C., |
was passed over temporarily in consequence of
the absence of Judge Chambers and others.
Mr.. Daniel, of Baltimore city moved to strike
out the 18th article, zsl
Mr.. Scott, of Baltimore county, moved to
amend the 18th article by striking out the
words, "that the evying of taxes by the poll is
grievous and oppressive, and ought to be abo-
ished"
Mr.. Barron opposed the amendment He
suggested that its adoption, &C., might disfran-
chise one-6fth of the voters of Baltimore.
Mr.. Daniel said be did not contemplate to
make the payment of poll tax requisite be-
fore voting, &c.
Mr.. Smith, of Carroll, said it was the inevi-
table result
The amendment gave rise to heightened
and animated debate, in which Messrs. Stirling,
Georges, Negley, Thomas, Kennard, Schley,
Purnel and Sands opposed the Legislative
power to impose poll tax, and Messrs.. Daniel,
Miller, Scott, Peter, Belt Cushing and Pugh,
spoke in favor Of granting said power.
The vote was taken on an amendment offer
ed by Mr.. Daniel, which was in substance to
strike out the proposition relating to poll
tax. The majority and minority both divided
upon the question, but the sentiment of the
Convention was opposed to giving the Legisla-
ture the general power to impose a capltation
tax, and the amendment was rejected, yeas 35,
nays 48.
Mr. Green offered an amendment providing
that the Legislature may impose poll tax, but
that the payment of said tax shall never, be a
prerequisite to the right of voting. Pending
the consideration of the above, the Convention
adjourned
May 26.-The Convention met. Present 80
members
The order of Mr. Cushing to amend the rules
of the Convention so as to provide that the
vote Of majority Of the members present"