1900. ] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 485

was therefore elected as a member of this House from
Prince George's county, and George B. Merrick was not
elected.

We accordingly report that the said Charles W. Darr
is entitled to the seat in this House now held by George
B. Merrick, the sitting member from Prince George's
county.

Respectfully submitted,

ADONIRAM J. ROBINSON,

Acting Chairman.
FRANK J. GATELY,
ISAAC S. BENNETT,
HUMPHREY D. WOLFE,.
HENRY J. ANDERSON, (Wor. )

Mr Wolfinger submitted the following minority

REPORT:
To the Honorable Members of the

House of Delegates of Maryland:

I beg to submit, herewith, a minority report from the
Committee on Elections of this Honorable Body, as to
the matter of the contest between Charles W. Darr and
George B. Merrick, regarding the membership in this
Honorable Body, as one of the delegates representing
Prince George's county.

The contest in this case has been conducted on the part
of the contestant without regard to the manner prescribed
by the laws of this State. By the terms of the Constitu-
tion, this House is made the judge of the qualifications
and election of its members, as prescribed by the Consti-
tution and laws of the State. The manner and mode of
a contest for a seat in this Honorable Body is expressly
provided for in Article 33 of the Code, sections 119 to
135 inclusive.

By the terms of this Article, it is required that the
contest shall be carried on by the examination of wit-
nesses taken in the manner herein prescribed and in no
other. Although the contestant, Mr. Darr, gave notice
to Mr. Merrick, the sitting member of his intention to
contest the seat on November 27th, 1899, he made no