Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-01-25
CITY NEW S.

The REGISTRY LAw-MEETISG OF THE STATE
CoNvENTTOY.-The State Convention. having for its
object the adoption of means looking to the repeal
of the registration law, or modification Of its pro-
| visions, assembled yesterday in Temperance Tenn
| pie North Gay street. Owing to misunder- tand-
| ing in regard to the hour for convening the body
| was not organized until noon.
The convention was called to order BIZ George W.
| Herring, who nominated George NJ Gill as temper
ary chairman. and Robert D. Martin as tempo ary
| secretary.
Upon Mr.. Gill taking the chair, John L. Smith
moved that committee of ten be appointed TO ex-
anime the credentials of delegates, which was car
ried and the following gentlemen appointed as such
| committee: John L. Smith. J. 7. Mason George
| Schley, DR.. McMasters, Oden Bowie Judge Merrfck
| R. II. Alvey General Anthony Kimmell, S. F. Johns
| and John Brooke Boyle.
The credentials of the several delegates were then
handed in to the committee. who, after retiring
few minutes. reported the following gentlemen pres
ent entitled to seats in the convention. the list com
prising full delegation from all the counties in the
State and the different wards of Baltimore city:
Anne. Arundel, county-,-H9n; John 7. Mason.
Richard C. Hardpsty, E. G. Kilbourn
AlIecany-Rlchard D. Johnson James NJ. Schley
nr: Rqht; S. Mckaig. John 5. Daely. j. P. Roman
baltimore city--Geo. NJ. Gill VIM Dean, Capt. W.
Wilson James G. Wheeion., Ezra Whitman, John
L. Smith, Wm. IL. Nelson, John Bnlgiano Marcus
Wolf. Thomas 6. Pratt. Robert D. Morrison. Wm
Greehton George Il I BTice' Edward J. Cha,ty, Wm.
BIanchard. George P. Thomas, George W Herring
Baltimore Connty-Hou. John Wethered, Hon.
WorthnEton, John s. Gil tings Wm. NJ Fsaacs
Daniel Cameron, Jeremiah Yellott. Walter j. Foard
John Bi,ldison, John Glenn. Victor Holmes, Jas
Calvert-James T. Briseoe. T. ouis Griffith.
Cecil-Hon Hiram NcCuIiough, DR.. j. NJ. McCul-
lough, David Rea, Milton y. Kidd, Josenh Gobart
D CaTro~DT Dr., Henry BeItz, J. N. Parker Jqc2b
John Frizzle, Henry Motcr Michael Murdcck, DR.
Butler. James Blizzard E. NJ. shipIey John B.
Boyle.
., porehester-Col James Wallace. Daniel NJ Henry,
Frederick J. NJ. Kunkcl. John Rartholow.
sew. Valentine Fbberts Upton Worthinet"n. Hugh
McAleer, John Ritchie, J. D. Zieler Jas McShrrry
John E.; Stafford, John Laypatsale, n. J. Wilson,
=, C5TTolins-T. Il. Kemp, Ezra Lowe and Daniel
:, HarfordaaH; W. Archer, Il. D. Farnandis, Dr.
Evans, L: s. Johns and J. J. Street.
N. Merrick. John A. Dorsey. '"''S 'O"' '"us' M
= Kent-Jesse X. Hines. Joseph A. Wickes and
Monigomery-Bon Montgomery Blair. William
Thornton of r, and Joseph A. TaneY.
Prince George'g.Col Oden Bowie. John B. Brooke
Queen Annes-Stephen J. Bradley.
St. Marys-zCoI. Vim. Good and Richard IT, Miles.
Somerset-lion. Isaac D. Jones, Hon. James t.
Dennis, John nayy and DR.. Geo. R. Dennis
Tab9tIPhilip F. Thomas &. L. F. IIardcastle and
Washington-R. H. Alvey, James Uasop. z. s
Glaggett. David Custina, VIM. Dodge and Col. Geo
Woycester-Dr. John T. B McMaster, r3eorga W
Coyington DR.. II. R. Pitts and B. Everett Smith
A committee on permanent organization and to
adopt rules for the government Of the convention
was then appointed, who reported that the same rIes
be adopted are observed in the legislature of
MaryIs d. They also reported the following perma-
For President-Ion. Montgomery Bair. Vice
PTesidents-One from Pa"h Congressional district
Col James Wallace, of Dorchester: Hon John Wetr-
cred, of Baltimore county; George NJ Gill Of BaIt-
more city; Colonel Oden Bowie. of Prince Georges
county. Secretares-M-. Y. Kidd. of Cecil county;
VIM. H. Nelson of Baltimore, and Thomas h. VIII
ljams. of Prince Georges county.
Amid shouts of applause Mr.. Blair wa. then con-
Quoted to the chair upon taking which, he returned
thanks for the honor conferred upon him. He as
sumed the position quite unprepared for any formal
ACKNOWLEDGMENT, or to enter into the discussion of
the important question to be considered by tho Con-
vention. He regarded the question involvcd-tbe
right of suffrage-a great and important one The
country was again united, and he hoped that it
would always remain so; there was to BE- sure, some
feeling OF bitterness among the conquered but there
was none among the American ration. As here
were more important subjects to be discussed he
would leave the subject of the late rebellion which
was acknowledged on ell sides to be over
Mr.. Blair stated that for years he had not mingled
present IN the Convention at that time. Men who
had filled disting guiShed offices, and many Of them
young yet, and calculated to accomplish much more
good, and yet as matters stood now, they were 10
have no hand in the administration of the affairs of
the country He believed in the ma kim "makea good
fight and when the fight il over make frieudS'' and
that the conflict over. he did not think if
proper TO indulge in chickering's not to allow others
to share in the common blessings of the country.
President johnson had said, I'VE must trust tho
people with their own government" Icheers aud he
Mr. RairJ believed that TO be the right principles
that principle to the Southern states where thev had
been in rebellion, and the President was willing to
trust them with their own government and t. give
them share in the General Government. The
speaker thought il a shame. that ne c in Maryland,
which never was in the rebellion than one half
fher citizens are i3rbidden the right to share in the
administration Of the State as well as the General
Government Mr.. Blair stated that General Grant
and Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, as well
as other prominent men, Of the same opinion rs Pre-
Sdent JohosOn, and that now our troubles were
over. he would only ask, why should the people he
disfranchised? Those desiring it, wanted it so in
order to obtain political power or that the minority
might rule the majority or at least hold the reins
until they force by political influence the eufran-
chSement If the black element. This matter of pro-
hibitng the right of suffrage through tho provisions
adroit men, and feeling such to he the ease. the
speaker believed it 10 he his duty to leave the party
and identify himself with those who looked more tn
state that people in the South had not been d>iran
ehised and it certainly ought not to be done here
He smoke OF the manner IN Whion MS course had
been criticised by his friends, and the hurrah they
made because he dared to have an opininn Of his
own and the repremand they gave him for sncaking
IS he did in New York. Those friends said he now
vote with the Democrats 10 the House Of Rerreen-
tatives at Washington. Mr. Blair spoke Of the poll
teal influence governing the action of Gov Swami
lie (the speaker had united with others in securing
the election Of Mr. Swami, but Of what use was it.
lLaughter The Governor was in fiyOr Of the dis
franchsement OF about two- birds Of the population
! of the State by taVOring the continuation of the
registry law The speaker that the great object
OF those opposed to the repeal OF the registry law was
to advance the interests of the blacks. and that the
grand object of those arstocrats to Supercede the
| Government by their new tangled nOtions-al this
was to be done by about onethird OF The voters of
the State. Mr.. Blair spoke in the highest terms of
President Johnson stating thai he considered him
prudential man, he was in favor of the poor mans
government, and in all his tthe Presidents EeJ he
never disappointed his constituents. He did not be-
eve that he would degrade the peoue he was so
clearly identified with tie had proved hmseifin the
past true Southern man, aud was true to all the
country. After speaking IL opposition TO negro
suffrage. Mr.. Blair took his seat amidst great ap-
| pause.
On motion of Henry ". Archer, of Uarford county,
the following committee was appointed to prepare
| business for the convention.
A4Tegaav Tesa2. l. PHILIP k"m3a9; M9ntg9mery Joseph
Carroll Joseph NJ PARK: Baltimore lion. Sm%c
Brady Hartford, II. "; richer; Cecil DR. J. II. Ne
GpglIough; Queen Annes Col. Stephen Brady; Talbot
| Philip +: Thomas: Caroline, Thomas IL. Kemp: Dor
chester. ID, NJ. Eenry; Somerset DR.. George r. Den
mis-, Worcester b. Everett Smith. Prime George $
john B. Brooke; Baltimore ciry, George NJ. Cfl ST.
Mary's, Baker a. Jami$on Charles, DIR. j. Carico
Gnlyert F. Lewis urihth; kenf, Joseph A. Wicks
| FREDERICK, Hon. JACOB W. hUnElc. Howard, Judge
| Merrick; Washington, L. Ia, ClaSett.
| The convention then took a recess until P NJ
EVENING SESSION.
Shortly after seven o'clock, the Convention was
again called to order by the President, when the Com
mittee on Resolutions, through its Chairman, Mr.
Archer presented address to the people of Mary
land. declaring the provisions for the elective
franchise in the Constitution of the State direct
violation of that hallowed principle of justice en-
grated upon their Declaration of Rights and ex-
pressed in the Federal Constitution 1t declares the
test oath for voters and the retrospective test oath
for all State off ;ers repuenant to the spirit of the
Constitution Of the United States and calls upon the
Legislatures to pass an amendment abrogating those
odious and anti.Tepublcan provisions and TO submit
such amendments to the people at the next general
election for ratification.
| The address was unanimously adopted after which
the following resolutions presented by the same
committee:
hesofUed by this Convention, representing all the
people of MARY land who in favor Of the eStoIa
ton of political rights to the dstIaneai<ed citizens u
the State, That the persistent efforts of the PreSiden
of the United States to restore to their political
rights the citizens of the Southern States and 10
protect them in the enjoyment of their cuustitu-
| tiona relations the Federal Government receive,
our cordial endorsement, and we pledge to him nr
H., F3Drfzf f1i,t, -l,.l.