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Mr. Maulsby had trusted that this subject would not
be opened, as it would have a tendency to mar the har-
mony of the Convention. Mr. M. then advocated the mo-
tion to reconsider.
Mr. Ritchie thought that on reflection the Convention
would reconsider the amendment.
Mr. George said that in each legislative district of Bal-
timore city there were today 100, 000 souls, and growing
rapidly. In Baltimore county it was 54, 000, and the in-
crease of population would, in a few years, run up her
numbers to the number which would entitle her under the
report to seven delegates, and then each district of Balti-
more city would be entitled to seven delegates, although
each of them at that time would probably number 200, 000
souls. The question was whether the city of Baltimore,
which is growing more rapidly than any other part of
the State, should be so crippled ? If negro suffrage should
ever prevail, it certainly would be to the interest of the
smaller counties to have as large a delegation as possible
from the city of Baltimore, which would present a united
front on this subject.
Mr. Wickes said this was a most important matter, and
as he thought it should be considered by as full a House
as possible, and as he was certain there was now no quo-
rum present, he moved for a call of the House.
The motion for a call of the House having been sus-
tained, the roll was called, when 86 members answered
to their names.
Further proceedings under the call were then dispensed
with.
The debate was continued by Messrs. Wickes, Garey,
Mitchell, Roman, Archer, Nicolai and Walsh.
Mr. Watkins, of Montgomery, moved the previous ques-
tion, which being sustained, the question was taken on the
motion to reconsider, which was disagreed to by a vote of
48 to 40.
Mr. Carter moved that the report be engrossed for a
third reading, upon which motion Mr. Vansant called for
the yeas and nays, as he wished to record his vote
against it.
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