The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1904-01-15
WORK OF DEMOCRATIC CON.
FERENCE.

There was a conference in Annapolis
on Tuesday night attended by the Demo-
cratic members of both branches of the
the legislature, at which a resolution was
adopted instructing the committees of the
two houses, when appointed, to act Joint
ly and report two amendments to the con
s~titution-one DISTINGUISHING the negro
and another providing for appropriations
for good roads. The constitution pro-
hibits any such appropriations, and an
amen dment is therefore necessary. The
proposal to submit a call for a constitu-
tional convention was abandoned, because
it was opposed by all the corporations.
Senator Wilson, of this county, intro
duced the resolution, which stated that
no other amendments should be consid-
cred at this session. Senators Robinson,
of Hartford, and Gill, of Baltimore, Offer
ed an amendment deleting this clause be-
cause they said they did not care to be
bound by its provisions. Senator Lewis,
of Allegany, also objected. He said he
had in view an amendment submitting the
referendum. After a long discussion, the
amendment was defeated by a vote of "a
to So.
1t was feared that if the question was
left open, other amendments would follow,
and so load down the ticket as to kill
them all. A concession, however, was
made to the opponents of restriction.
The clause was so amended as to read
that no other amendment should. be sub
mitted Eat this time" 1t is certain, how
ever, that none others will be supported.
In the shape in which it was amended the
resolution passed unanimously
The only other business transacted was
the denomination by reclamation of St ate
Treasurer Murray Vandiver. There was
no opposition.
The following is the text of the resolu-
tons adopted:
WHEREAS the platform a dopted by the
last democratic state convention speclfl-
cally and u~nequivocally pledged the party,
to make ample and proper provision for a
more perfect regulation of the suffrage in
the state, and likewise declared in favor
OF a provision to enable the state to aid in
the construction of public roads in the
several counties and in the city of Balti-
more; therefore be it
Resolved by the democratic members of
the Legislature in caucus assembled, That
the committees on constitutional amend
ments of the Senate and House of Dele
gates, as soon as appointed, be, and are
hereby, instructed to act jointly and to
prepare an amendment to section l of ar
ticle / of the constitution, to provide. in
addition to the present requirements as to
age, length of residence in the state, coun-
tY or legislative district, such additional
provisions as they may deem requisite to
comply with our pledge to the people.
Resolued further, That the aforesaid com
mittee, acting jointly, shall also prepare
an amendment to section "a of article 3
of the constitution of this state, which
shall give power to the General Assembly
to appropriate, out of. any funds in the
treasury not otherwise appropriated, a
sum of money, not exceeding 100000 for
any one year, to be expended annually in
the construction and maintenance OF pub
lie roads and highways, in accordance
with such regulations as the General AS
sembly may from time to time prescribe;
be it further
Resolued, That said committees be direct
ed to report, as early as practicable, the
aforegoing amendments, and we hereby
pledge our support to the prompt consld-
Grafton of the same; and
Reuolued, That we deem it inexpedient
to Offer or support any additional amend
mants to the constitution at this session.
The French ambas sador to this coun-
try has rendered to our government