303

On motion of Mr. Fiery,
The Convention resumed the consideration of the order
of the day, being the report submitted by Mr. Johnson, chairman
of the committee on the Legislative Departrnent, on the 25th ult.
The question pending on yesterday, before the Convention
being on the adoption of the 16th section as amended.
Mr. Dorsey, moved to strike out the whole of said section, and
insert in lieu thereof the following
‘‘The Legislature of M aryland, shall at. its next session, if
then practicable, and if not, as soon thereafter as it can bedone,
contract with two learned jurists of this State, distinguished as
well for their industry, as professional ability, to codify or digest
and abridge the public acts of Assembly then ILI force."
Mr Spencer, moved as a substitute for said amendment, to strike
out the 16th sectIon and insert in lieu thereof the following:
"The style of all laws of this State shall be: Be it enacted by
the General Assembly of Maryland, and all laws shall be enacted
by bill only, and no law enacted by the Legislature shall embrace
more than one subject, and that shall he described on its title, and
the Legislature shall at its next session after the adoption of this
constitution, or as soon thereafter as it can be done at the expira
tion of every five years thereafter, contract with two learned jurists,
distinguished for their industry and professional ability, to digest,
abridge and condense and codify, the statute laws of this State,
and with two other equally distinguished jurists, to simplily and
abridge the rules and practice and pleadings, and proceedings of
the courts of record of this State, abolishing all special pleading,
subject to the approval of the Legislature;"
Which was read.
Mr. Scliley, moved to amend said 16th section, by adding at
the end thereof, the following
"The Legislature at its first session after the adoption of this
Constitution, shall appoint one or more commissioners, learned in
the law, whose duty it shall be to revise and codify the Statutes of
this State, and one or more commissioners, learned in the law,
whose duty it shall be to revise, simplify and abridge the rules and
practice, pleadings, forms and proceedings of the courts of record
in this State, and report the same to the Legislature for adoption,
and it shall be the duty of the Legislature at the expira
tion of every subsequent period of ten years after the adoption
and promulgation of the code of laws, to have published and pro
mulgated all the Statute Laws of this State then in force ;"
Which was read.
Pending the question on this amendment, and
After debate thereon,
At 5 minutes past 3 o'clock, P. M.,
Mr. Merrick, moved the Convention adjourn;