27 1

WEDNESDAY, February 12th, 1851.

The Convention met,
Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Graff.
On motion of Mr. Magraw,
The reading of the Journal of Proceedings was dispensed with.
Mr. Dorsey presented a petition of sundry citizens of Howard
District in Anne Arundel county, praying that said Howard Dis
trict, be erected into a new cou nty to be called "Howard county;"
Which was read, and
On motion of Mr. Dorsey,

Laid on the table.
On motion of Mr. Dorsey,
The Convention took up the consideration the order of the day,
being the report submitted by him on the 8th inst., as chairman of
the select committee, respecting the formation of New Counties.
Mr. Mer rick, moved to postpone said order of the day, and take
up for consideration the report on the Legislative Department.
Deter minted in the affirmative.
The Convention then proceeded to the consideration of the
report submitted by Mr. Johnson, chairman of the committee on
the Legislative Department, on the 25th ult.;
Mr. Dorsey, moved to amend said report, by striking out the 1st
section, and inserting in lieu thereof the following:
"The Legislature shall consist of two distinct branches, a
Senate, and a House of Delegates, which shall be styled the
General Assembly of Maryland;"
Determined in the affirmative.
The 2nd Section in said report having been read;
Mr. Phelps, moved to strike out said section, and substitute in
lieu of it the following:
Section 2nd. "The Senators shall be elected by the qualified
voters of this State for the term of four years, and the Delegates
in like mariner, for the term of two years; from the clay of the
general election, and the regular session of the General Assem
bly shall be Biennial:"
Mr. Merrick, moved to amend the 2nd section of the report, by
filling the blank in the 2nd line, with the words ‘‘one year;"
Pending the question on this amendment, and
After debate thereon,
At half-past 3 o'clock, P. M.;
On motion of Mr. Spencer,
The Convention adjourned until to-morrow morning 11 o'clock.