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which that portion of the State a deeply inter
ested. I do not object to the resolution, but to
the motive with which the gentleman seems to
have offered it.
Mr. PRESSTMAN, interposing. I do not under
stand the gentleman as imputing any improper
motive to me ?
Mr. DASHIELL. No improper motive — only —
(Laughter. )
Mr. PRESSTMAN, interposing. lam surprised
that gentlemen representing a section of the
State particularly interested in this question o
slavery should object to a gentleman, even though
he might come from a suspicious quarter, advo-
cating his own views. It is precisely because
I believe that the views of the people of the city
of Baltimore are misrepresented, that I am pre
pared to give this guarantee, and to give it in
good faith.
Mr. BRENT, of Baltimore city. I hope that
the Convention will adopt this resolution, and
that it will be followed up by resolutions to the
same effect, imposing restrictions upon the Leg-
islature in respect to debts for works of interim
improvement.
Mr. JOHNSON. I am not disposed to give any
opinion upon this resolution at the present time;
but I object to this mode of proceeding. The
subject, I understand, is already before one of
the committees of this body. Is it not, sir ? (to
the PRESIDENT. )
The PRESIDENT. It is.
Mr. JOHNSON, continuing. I cannot see why
that committee should not make a report, and
bring the subject up in due form for deliberate
and proper consideration. Whether one portion
of the State ownes more or less slaves than an-
other, is a question which I do not intend to dis-
cuss here. I am. myself, a slaveholder; and 1
should be the last man in the State, who would
wish to see that quest ion discussed in this Hall
or out of it, unless some good end is to be attain-
ed. Let then, the regular course of proceedings
be adopted, as more in consonance with the usa-
ges of a body of this character. 1 should bo glad
if the gentleman from Baltimore city, (Mr.
PRESSTMAN, ) would withdraw his resolution. If
he does not, I shall move that it be laid upon the
table.
Mr. PRESSTMAN. As 1 cannot see the proprie-
ty of postponing this matter, I must, with all res-
pect to the gentleman who made the suggestion,
decline to withdraw my resolution.
Mr. JOHNSON. Does the gentleman object, so
to change the form of his proposition, as to make
it one of enquiry?
Mr. PRESSTMAN. Yes, I do object.
Mr. JOHNSON. I shall not make the motion
to lay on the table, but shall decline to vote on
the resolution.
Mr. PRESSTMAN. Very well, sir. I object to
making the resolution a mere proposition of en-
quiry, because it would not at all answer the
purpose which I have in view.
The question was then taken and the resolu-
tion was adopted.
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BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
Mr. MERRICK submitted the following or-
der:
"Ordered, That committee No. 14, be instruct-
ed to inquire into the expediency of providing in
the Constitution for a Board of Public Works, to
consist of a President and two members, to be
chosen every third year, one member by the sep-
arate vote of each branch of the Legislature, and
the President by joint ballot of both Houses, the
person thus elected President of said Board to
receive always the vote of the State of Maryland
for the office of President of the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal Company, and the Legislature to pro-
vide suitable and adequate salaries for the per-
sons composing said board. "
Mr. THOMAS suggested to the mover of the re-
solution, (Mr. MERRICK, ) to avoid* contrariety of
opinion by omitting the latter part of it.
Mr. MERRICK replied, that the resolution was
simply one of enquiry. It did not in any degree
commit the Convention. The specifications in
the order were nothing more than an indication of
the individual preference of the member offer-
ing it.
Mr. THOMAS said, tie should then indicate Ais
preference by moving to strike out the latter part
of the order.
Mr. MERRICK said, the motion would lead to
discussion, and that was precisely what he wished
to avoid.
Mr. THOMAS said it was his desire also, by the
motion he had made, to avoid the necessity of
discussion.
Mr. MCLANE said lic understood that this was
a simple resolution of enquiry. According,
therefore, to all courtesy and the practice of the
body, it would, under any circumstances, be only
proper that the order should go to the committee.
But lie had risen for the purpose of saying that
an order had heretofore been adopted, riot exactly
; o the same effect or in the same terms, but on
the same subject, and having in view the organi-
zation of a body similar to that which the gen-
tleman, (Mr. MERRICK, ) proposed. The Com-
mittee had had a meeting, and, in the absence of
its Chairman, he, (Mr. McL. ) believed he might
be permitted to state, that they had come to a
decision, and had directed a report to be submit-
ted to the Convention. He did not make this
statement with a view to preclude the order. It
was not exactly in accordance with the views of
he committee, as he understood the matter.
The gentleman from Frederick, (Mr. THOMAS, )
would see, however, that the adoption of the
order would neither commit the House nor em-
barrass the committee.
Mr. DAVIS asked that the order might be again
read.
The resolution was read und adopted.
INDEXES.
Mr. TUCK submitted the following resolution:
"Resolved, That the committee on Printing be
authorised to have a suitable index made to the
Journal of proceedings, and also to the debates of
be Convention.
Mr. MCHENRY enquired as to the cost?
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