|
|
|
the 15th article: That the levying of taxes by poll is
onerous and oppressive, and ought to be prohibited; that
paupers ought not to be assessed for the support of
the government, but every person in the State owning
property, and every person holding property therein,
ought to contribute a just proportion of public taxes for
the support of the government; yet fines, duties or taxes
may properly and justly be imposed or laid with a political
view for the good government and benefit of the com-
munity.
After some discussion, the substitute was rejected.
Mr. Keating then withdrew the substitute offered by
him on Friday, providing that every elector in this State
shall contribute to the support of the government, &c.
No further amendments being proposed, article 16 was
read, and the Convention then, at 3 P. M., adjourned.
SIXTEENTH DAY.
ANNAPOLIS, TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1867.
Convention met at 11 o'clock. Prayer by Rev. Mr.
Henderson.
Mr. Pleasants presented a memorial from the Board of
Trade of the city of Baltimore, praying that the legal
rate of interest be fixed at seven per cent.
The Chair presented a communication from Rev. L.
Van Bokkelen, State superintendent of public instruction,
in response to the order of the Convention of the 16th
instant, relative to cost of books, in which Mr. Van Bok-
kelen states that the whole amount paid by the State
board from September 1, 1865, when the schools were
organized, until May 27, 1867, twenty-one months, is
$82, 149. 47, exclusive of the amount paid for text-books
and stationery used in the public schools in the city of
Baltimore, which, for the year ending December 31, 1866,
was $34, 349. 42.
The city school commissioners do not purchase their
books through the State board of education. The annual
report of the State superintendent and the schedule of
prices of books as furnished to the Legislature and
133
|
|
|
|
 |
