The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1867-01-17
THE LEGIsIATURE.

etitutluu % ttfrVit IouHty tOf ~ Nuchu-
ment to its Charter. Mr.. Gore obtained
leave to report Bill to incorporate the
Freedom Masonic Lodge Of Carroll
County. In the Senate on tho 10th
inst, Mr.. Billingslea, from special
committee reported bill to authorize
the Commissioners Of Carroll County to
levy sum sufficient to pay the costs in
an old case OF the State VS.. Harriet aud
Miranda Porter, which was read, the
rules suspended, and the bill passed.
Mr.. Carmichael, on the 10Th inst, in
tho House, obtained leave to report
bill, from the Com. on the Judiciary,
to provide for the sunmonins Of jurors
in Washington, Frederick and Carroll
Counties.
On the same day MIR. Carmichael,
from joint special committee, reported
Bill to provide Tor calling Conven-
ton to franc new Constitution and
form of government for this State. This,
Bill appears to copy considerably after
the act calling the Constitutional Con-
vention Of 1864 Itproviaes that on the
second Wednesday of April next, all
persons entitled to vote shall vote for
or against Convention, and at the same
time elect Delegates to the Convention,
TO meet, in case a majority vote for a
Convention, on the 2nd Wednesday Of
May lS67-Baltimore city to have its
present number of Delegates, and eleven
70 be added to the lower Counties of
which they were deprived by the pres.
ent Constitution.
THE BILL TO RESTORE TO RIGHTS OF
CITIZENSHIP CERTAIN CITIZENS OF
THIS STATE.
The following is the bill reported by
Hon. Philip +. Thomas, of Talbot coun-
ty, in the House of Delegates sth inst,
to restore to full citizenship aud the
right to vote aud hold Office all persons
who may be deprived thereof by the
provisions contained in the fourth sec,
ton of the first article of the constitu.
ton of this State.
Whereas, by tho provisions of the
fourth section Of the first article of the
constitution Of this State, a large por-
ton Of its citizens otherwise entitled to
vote and hold Office have been deprived
Of those privileges, whilst they remnin
liable to taxation, to the performance of
military duty, aud in all other respects
subject to laws in whose enactment
they can have no participation, all Of
which is contrary to the principles on
which republican governments are cs-
tablished; and whereas these restrictions
were designed to be temporary, as is
evident from the fact that power is
wisely given to the General Assembly,
in the very section Of the constitution
which imposes such restrictions, to re-
move them in all cases by an act passed
by vote Of two-thirds of all the men,
bers elected to each house and where
as the reasons for such restrictions
have, By the return Of peace, now hap
PLY ceased to exist, aud it is therefore
right and proper, by the speedy excr-
else of the power so reserved to the
General Assembly, to re-establish and
reatiirm the right Of the people to par
tieipate in che Legislature, Justly de-
clared in the declaration of rights to
be the security Of liberty and the foun-
dation of all free government there
fore.
Be Il enacted By the General Asscn-
6y Of Maryland, t9o-thrds Of all the
members elected to each House concur
ring. That all persons otherwise emit.
tied to vote and hold office, who may be
deprived Of those privileges by reason of
any Of the provisions of the 4th section
Of the LIST article of the constitution Of
this State, be aud they are hereby res
tored to their full rights of citizenship,
aud each and all of them shall be enti-
tied to be registered as qualified voters,
and to vote in the same manner as if
the said 4th section Of the LIST article of
the constitution had not been adopted,
upon taking aud subscribing before any
justice of the pesce, or other officer au-
thorized to administer an oath, or be
fore the proper officer or officers Of