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COMMITTEE OF REVISION.
Mr. JOHNSON said he had been a good deal ab-
sent from the Convention, and now, for the first
time, saw the report of the committee on the
elective franchise, as it had come from the hands
of the committee of the whole. I was about to
make a suggestion, (continued Mr. J.). which, if
it should meet the views of more experienced
gentlemen, will, I think, have a salutary effecton
the business of this Convention. It is that a com-
mittee of revision be appointed, whose duty it
shall be to take charge of bills after they have
been reported from the committee of the whole,
correct and, if need be, condense their phrase-
ology, and report them back for the action of the
Convention. If objection is made, I will with-
draw the resolution.
The PRESIDENT intimated that such a resolu-
tion pending, a motion to postpone was not in
order.
Mr. JOHNSON waived his motion for the pre-
sent.
THE ELECTIVE FRANCHISE.
The question then recurred and was taken on
the motion to postpone the consideration of this
report, and it was decided in the affirmative,
go the further consideration of the report was
postponed until to-morrow.
THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
Messrs. BLAKISTONE and BROWN moved that
the Convention proceed to the consideration of
the bill of rights.
Mr. PARKE. I feel some objection to that mo-
tion, because, having given notice of amendments
which have not yet been piinted for the use of
the Convention , I shall enter upon the conside-
ration of the subject at a disadvantage. I think
it would be better to; postpone the consideration
of the bill, though if it is the pleasure of the
Convention now to take it up. I suppose I can
send to the Printer and withdraw my amend-
ments from his hands.
Mr. TUCK. Probably the gentleman's amend-
ments do not come in at the first part of the
bill.
Mr. PARKE. One of them is an amendment to
the preamble.
SEVERAL VOICES. "Well, then, the question
on the preamble will be taken last!"
Mr. GRASON. I was willing that the report of
the committee on the elective franchise should
be taken up and finally acted upon, but as it is
postponed, I think that the Convention should
now proceed with the regular order of business.
That is the report of the committee on the exec-
utive department. I think the bill of rights one
of the very last subjects which should be consid-
ered by the Convention. After we have framed
the other parts of the Constitution, and tiave de-
cided what powers shall be vested in the differ-
ent departments of the government — legislative,
executive and judicial — we shall be better ena-
bled to judge what provisions should be placed
in the bill of rights for the purpose of restrain-
ing them. Besides, I think, that if the bill is ta- |
ken up now, the debate upon it may occupy a
month; whilst if its consideration is postponed
until other subjects have been disposed of, the
Convention, under the pressure of an earnest de-
sire on the part of the members to go home, will
be content with a much shorter discussion.
Mr. BOWIE. It seems to me to be most appro-
priate that the bill of rights should be taken up
first. Our Constitution is to be grounded upon
the great fundamental principles of liberty, set
forth in that declaration. It is important first
to settle the great cardinal republican principles
upon which we will base a Constitution, before
we attempt to raise the superstructure. Other-
wise, we may have conflicting provisions. I know
of no subject on which we all agree better than
on these general abstract principles embodied in
the bill of rights. A few amendments may per-
haps be offered, but not many. I have, myself,
none to propose. I hope we shall take up the
bill and continue its consideration, until we have
finished it. I cannot concur with gentlemen in the
idea of taking up things by piece-meal. Let us
take up one subject at a time, and continue upon
it until it is disposed of. If we come to that de-
termination, we shall move on in something like
harmony and order — efficient order.
COMMITTEE OP REVISION.
Mr. JOHNSON desired at this time to offer the
order indicated by him, providing for the appoint'
ment of a committee of revision. If the resolu-
ion gave rise to debate, he would, he said, with-
draw it.
Mr. BLAKISTONE, for the moment, withdrew
his motion to proceed to the consideration of the
bill of rights.
Mr. JOHNSON then offered a resolu tion provid-
ing for the appointment of a committee for the
purpose he had indicated.
Mr. JENIFER, enquired of what number the
committee should be composed.
Mr. RANDALL suggested that it should consist
of the Chairmen of all the committees.
Mr. JOHNSON said, that as Chairman of one of
the committees, (the committee on the legislative
department,) he must ask to be excused, as he
would be unavoidably absent for some time.
Some conversation arising, Mr. JOHNSON with-
drew the resolution.
THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
The motion was then renewed that the Con-
vention take up this bill.
The motion having been agreed to, the Con-
vention proceeded to the considetation of the
following report, submitted by Mr. DORSEY, on
the 11th instant, as Chairman of the Committee
on the
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
We, the Delegates of Maryland, in Conven-
tion assembled, taking into our most serious con-
sideration, the best means of establishing a good
Constitution in this State, declare:
Article 1. That all government of right origi-
nates from the people, is founded in compact only,
and instituted solely for the good of the whole. |
