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DEBATES OF THE CONVENTION
ANNAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1867.
This being the day appointed for the assembling of the
Convention to form a new constitution and form of gov-
ernment, to be submitted to the people of the State of
Maryland, the ancient city has presented an unusually
lively appearance. The cars and boats poured in their
living freight, and long before the hour of noon the State
House was crowded with the delegates, (who were nearly
all present, ) visitors from Baltimore and elsewhere, and
large numbers of applicants for the positions in the gift
of the Convention. The latter pretty much monopolized
the attention of the delegates. The Convention met in
the hall of the House of Delegates, and at 12 o'clock Hon.
Isaac D. Jones, of Somerset, ascended to the Speaker's
desk, and spoke as follows:
Gentlemen of the Convention: —We have assembled
here, in pursuance of an act of the General Assembly of
Maryland, and by the election of the people of Maryland,
as a Convention to form a new constitution for the State
of Maryland. I propose for the purpose of a temporary
organization, to call to the chair Col. John F. Dent, of St.
Mary's county.
The motion of Mr. Jones was unanimously agreed to.
Col. Dent then took the chair, and addressed the Con-
vention, as follows:
Gentlemen of the Convention: —It is unnecessary, upon
a temporary organization, that I should say more than
briefly to thank you for the compliment you have shown
me in appointing me to this position. I appreciate it
highly, and until there shall be a permanent organization
will endeavor to discharge, with your assistance and con-
fidence, all the duties that may devolve upon me, hoping
that there will not be much delay between the present
and final organization of the Convention.
On motion of Mr. Jones, James R. Howison, of Anne
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