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Mr. Nelson said the gentleman from Howard (Mr.
Mackubin, ) was mistaken. The constitution of 1851 had
laid down neither rule or precedent of the kind alleged.
The Convention of 1864 first put the word "white" in the
constitution, and this was somewhat to be wondered at,
considering that they had so much love for the negro.
They had at that time control of Washington, Allegany
and Frederick counties, from each of which they might
have formed a new radical county if it suited their pur-
poses, and this was why the discrimination was made
against the other counties where they had no power. He
submitted that the constitution of 1851 laid down no such
rule, and northern county man as he was, he was in favor
of the power remaining in the hands of the small counties,
which had always wielded it for the glory and benefit of
the State.
The amendment was lost by a vote of 38 nays to 33 yeas.
Section 3, which was laid over on Thursday evening,
was then returned to.
Mr. Carter submitted the following as a substitute for
the section:
"The Governor and all officers, civil and military, now
holding office under this State, whether by election or ap-
pointment, whose offices are continued under this consti-
tution, shall continue to hold, exercise and discharge the
duties of their respective offices (except in cases other-
wise provided for in this constitution) until their succes-
sors, for whose election or appointment provision is made
in this constitution, shall respectively be duly qualified. "
After considerable debate, Mr. Carter withdrew his sub-
stitute.
Other amendments were offered, but the section was
finally adopted as reported.
The article of the report headed, "Vote on the new con-
stitution" was then proceeded with.
Mr. Syester moved an amendment that if adopted the
constitution shall immediately go into effect.
Mr. Carter thought it more advisable that the Conven-
tion should name a particular day on which the constitu-
tion should go into effect.
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