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city of Baltimore, and to constitute the Senate
of senatorial districts, of which the city of Balti-
more shall be one, and to arrange the said dis-
tricts in such a manner that they may be, as far
as possible, equal in population — and to provide
that each senatorial district should have five
delegates."
Mr. CHAMBERS denied that this was an abstract
question. It was eminently practical. He ad-
verted to the common notion that this was the age
of "progress, " and said he believed in this coun-
try the progress in the arts and sciences, was
much greater and much more useful, than -pro-
gress in the science of government. In none of
these was the improvement greater than in
chemistry. It gave us tests by which in almost
every case to ascertain the truth. If, for instance,
the farmer desired to know whether carbonate
of lime was an element in the composition of his
bank, he had only to apply an acid to a
portion of it, and its presence was truthfully
announced by the "effervescence. " There were
some questions in law and logic, determinable by
tests equally infallible. This was an instance.
An "abstraction" is that which is by itself— it has
no practical consequence or result. Wow the
resolution of the committee puts before the bouse
the proposition, whether the basis of representa-
tion shall or shall not be exclusively that of a
ratio of population. If you concur with the com-
mittee and say that such a basis will not be adop-
ted, will there be no result— no consequence?
If on the contrary you decide that the committee
are wrong in repudiating this basis, and that it
ought to be adopted, will this produce no result-
no consequence ? Why, sir, just so surely as
you decide the one way or the other, will the
committee report a corresponding system for
you, and just so surely as members adhere to
their opinions, will the system reported rest on
that basis which this vote shall indicate, and
shape be given accordingly to one of the most
important articles in your Constitution. This is
the "effervescene. " The article in your Consti-
tution—that's the "result. "
He denied that the committee had in any de-
gree offended against the letter or the spirit of
the order requiring reports to be made without
accompanying arguments. He explained the ob-
ject of that order, which was not to prevent a
report of opinions as had been said, but of argu-
ments to sustain opinions. Every report must
give au opinion. The fact that a particular
provision is recommended for our adoption is the
strongest form in which the opinion of its pro-
priety can be expressed.
A report without an opinion would be that
very abominable thing which is so hateful to
gentlemen — an "abstraction. " He vindicated the
course of the committee. There was no argu-
ment here to sustain the report or prejudice the
question. It was the opinion of the committee
that this question should be decided as a guide to
their action. There were so many and so diverse
opinions amongst its members that a majority
could not unite affirmatively OB any plan. Some
of the members would yield to no terms of com-
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promise until the House should settle the broad
question of "representation on the basis of num-
bers exclusively. " No complaint can be made
on that account. These, gentlemen held them-
selves bound to stand upon this floor in public
view in vindication of the claim of their constitu-
ents to the benefit of this principle. They thought
the silence of the committee room was not the
scene for their labors, as no history of their ef-
forts would then appear. Of course the commit-
tee could not have the aid of these gentlemen in
the preparation of any other plan till the House
decided this question. It must be discussed.
Gentlemen have said it shall not pass sui silentio —
but must encounter opposition stern, and strong.
It will occupy as little time now as ever. We
are at it and why not get through it?
Mr. DAVIS moved that the Convention adjourn,
but waived the motion to enable
Mr. MCHENRY to give notice, that when the
report of the committee on the elective franchise
came up for consideration, he should offer sun-
dry amendments, which he moved should be
printed.
Determined in the affirmative.
Mr. DAVIS then withdrew his motion to ad-
journ.
Mr. DASHIELL renewed the motion to adjourn,
and on the question being put, it was
Determined in the negative.
The question then recurred upon the order
submitted by Mr. GWINN.
On motion,
The Convention adjourned until to-morrow
morning 11 o'clock.
FRIDAY, January 24, 1851.
The Convention met at 1 1 o'clock.
Prayer by the Rev. Mr. GRIFFITH.
The roll was called and a quorum was present.
The journal was read, and having been so
amended, on motion of Mr. SPENCER, as to state
the fact that he had withdrawn the instructions ac-
companying his motion to recommit the resolu-
tions reported by Mr. MERRICK from the com-
mittee on representation, was approved.
Mr. PARKE presented the petition of seventeen
officers and members of "Lippard Circle, Bro-
therhood of the Union, (H. F. ) No. 3, of the
the State of Maryland, Wo. 86 of the Continent
of America. "
Also, of seventeen other citizens of Maryland,
praying that a certain portion of real estate may
be exempted in the new Constitution, from any
forced sale, extent or levy, on execution or de-
cree from or by any court of law or equity.
Mr. P. simply desired, he said, to remark that
the signers of the petitions were very respect-
able persons — that the subject was one which
was attracting universal attention, and which,
he thought, deserved the respectful consideration
of the Convention.
On motion of Mr. P. the petitions were refer-
red to the committee on the bill of rights.
Mr. WELLS, from the committee on accounts.
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