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Mr. Stoddert said the negro had civil but no political
rights. They had always formed part of the basis of rep-
resentations in all the States and in Congress.
Mr. Brown thought the section had better stand as it
was, not that he was opposed to the negro forming a part
of the basis of representation, but because of the facility
which the amendment offered for the subdivision of the
State into small counties, a practice which might be car-
ried to a pernicious extent, and had already been carried
too far.
Mr. Ford said this offered no facility for the formation
of new counties, as the whole subject was left under the
control of the Legislature. As to the question of the gen-
tleman from Frederick, (Mr. Maulsby, ) as to the pros-
pect of the formation of a new county, such a thing might
occur if negroes get control of the whole State.
Mr. Dent thought there was no force in the objections
either of the gentleman from Baltimore, (Mr. Brown, ) or
the gentleman from Frederick, (Mr. Maulsby. ) It was
impossible for them to provide against contingencies of
the kind suggested, and which might never occur.
Mr. Walsh thought there was much force in the objec-
tions made. He did not think the people of Maryland
would be willing to allow the formation of any new county
which did not contain at least 10, 000 white inhabitants,
whereas under this amendment 1, 000 white and 9, 000
negroes might succeed in forming a county. The contin-
gencies spoken of were not so improbable, after all. Con-
gress might succeed in enforcing negro suffrage, and re-
sults might occur which would not be desirable. The peo-
ple of the State could not consent to it.
Mr. Mackubin hoped the amendment would not be
adopted and hoped that the precedent established in the
case of Allegany county by the constitution of 1851 would
not be departed from. If a new rule was now made, and
this compromise departed from, there were good grounds
for apprehensions of great dissatisfaction among the
people of the more thickly settled sections of the State,
lie thought the best policy would be to adhere in this con-
stitution to the rules as laid down in 1851, and again in
1861.
440
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