Mr. Sprigg, submitted the following resolution:
Resolved, That the committee on the Legislative Department
of the Government inquire into the expediency of engrafting in
that branch of the constitution, a clause prohibiting the legislature
from passing any law affecting the existing relation of master and
slave in this State.
Which was twice read and adopted.
On motion of Mr. Smith, it was
Ordered, That the committee on the Legislative Department,
inquire into the expediency of holding annual sessions of the
General Assembly, restricting the session to thirty days. fixing the
pen diem of members at three dollars and allowing one half the
present itinerant charges.
On motion of Mr. McMaster, it was
Ordered, That standing committee No. 7, inquire into the ex-
pediency of providing for the election of members of the State
Senate for the term of four years, and members of the House of
Delegates for the term of two years; that the Legislattire shall
convene but once in two years, unless for special reasons, convened
by proclamation of the Governor; that the members shall receive
a daily compensation to be fixed by law, but that no member shall
receive compensation for more than sixty days of any one session,
which compensation shall not be increased so as to take effect du
ring their continuance in office.
On motion of Mr. Ege, it was
Ordered, That the committee on the Judiciary be requested to
inquire into the propriety of making all judicial offices in this
State, offices of fixed salaries, and that no fees or perquisites of any
kind shall be allowed.
Mr. Davis submitted the following order:
Which was twice read and adopted.
Ordered, That the select committee of seven just raised, be in
structed to inquire into the expediency of providing by constitu-
tional enactment for a moderate tax upon free negroes, the same to
be applied to the use of the Colonization Society of this State.
Mr. Ridgely, submitted the following resolution
Resolved, That the committee on the Judiciary, consider the
expediency of re-organizing the local district or magistrates courts,
or of establishing some tribunal between the county courts and the
magistracy, to which a reasonable jurisdiction in civil actions shall
be assigned, and which shalt have exclusive cognizance in assaults
and battery, ordinary breaches of the peace, petty misdemeanors,
and in appeals from the judgment of single justices.
Which was twice read and adopted.
Mr. John Newcomer submitted the following order:
Ordered, That the Convention rake a recess from Friday the
6th instant, to Monday the 30th December, instant, and that no
member or officer of this Convention shall be entitled to any per
diem during the recess.
Which was read, and