clear space clear space clear space white space
A
 r c h i v e s   o f   M a r y l a n d   O n l i n e

PLEASE NOTE: The searchable text below was computer generated and may contain typographical errors. Numerical typos are particularly troubling. Click “View pdf” to see the original document.

  Maryland State Archives | Index | Help | Search
search for:
clear space
white space
Proceedings and Debates of the 1850 Constitutional Convention
Volume 101, Volume 1, Debates 142   View pdf image
 Jump to  
  << PREVIOUS  NEXT >>
clear space clear space clear space white space

142

Art. 24, That there ought to be no forfeiture
of any part of the estate of any person for any
crime, except murder or treason against the
State; and then only on conviction and attainder.
Art. 25. That a well regulated militia is the
proper and natural defence of a free Govern-
ment.
An. 26. That standing armies are dangerous
to liberty, and ought not to be raised or kept up
without consent of the Legislature.
At. 27. That in all cases and at all times, the
military ought to be under strict subordination
to, and control of the civil power.
Art. 28 That no soldier ought to he quartered
in any house in time of peace without the consent
of the owner, and in time of war, in such man-
ner as the Legislature shall direct.
Art. 29. That no person except regular
soldiers, mariners and marines, in the service of
this State, or militia when in actual service,
ought in any case to be subject to, or punishable
by martial law.
Art. 30. That the independency and upright-
ness of Judges are essential to the impartial ad-
ministration of justice, and a great security to the
rights and liberties of the people; wherefore the
Chancellor and Judges shall not be removed ex-
cept for misbehavior, on conviction in a court of
law, or by the Governor, upon the address of
the General Assembly; provided, that two-thirds
of all the melnbers of each House, concur in such
address; that salaries, liberal, but not profuse,
ought to he secured to the Chancellor and Judges
during the continuance of their commissions, in
such manner and at such time as the Legislature
shall hereafter direct, upon consideration of the
circumstances of this State; no Chancellor or
Judge ought to hold any other office, civil or mil-
itary, under the Constitution or Laws of this
State, or of the United States, or of any member
thereof, or receive fees or perquisites of any kind
for the discharge of his official duties.
Art. 31. That a long continuance in the first
executive departments of power or trust, is dan-
gerous to liberty; a. rotation, therefore, in those
departments is one of the best securities of per-
manent freedom.
Art. 32 That no person ought to hold at the
same time more than one office of profit, created
by the Constitution or Laws of this State; nor
ought any person in public trust to receive any
present from any Foreign Prince or State, or from
the United States, or any of them, without the
approbation of this State.
Art. 33. That as it is the duty of every man to
worship God in such manner as he thinks moat
acceptable to him, all persons are equally enti-
tled to protection in iheir religious liberty; where-
fore, no person ought by any law to be molested
in nis person or estate, on account of his religious
persuasion or profession, orfor his religious prac-
tice, unless under color of religion, any man shall
disturb the good order, peace or safety of the
State, or shall infringe the laws of morality, or
injure others in their natural, civil or religious
rights; nor ought any person to be compelled to
frequent or maintain or contribute, unless on

contract, to maintain any place of worship or
any ministry.
Aft. 34. That every gift, sale or devise of
lands, to any minister, public teacher or preacher
of the gospel, as such, or to any religious sect,
order or denomination, or to, or for the support,
use or benefit of, or in trust for any minister,
public teacher or preacher of the gospel, as such,
or any religious sect, order or denomination, and
every gift or sale of good* or chattels, to go in
succession, or to take place after the death of
the seller or donor, to or for such support, use
or benefit; and also every devise of goods or
chattels to or for the support, use or benefit of
any minister, public teacher or preacher of the
gospel, as such, or any religious sect, order or
denomination, without the leave of the Legisla-
ture, shall be void; except always any sale, gift,
lease or devise of any quantity of land, not ex-
ceeding five acres for a church, meeting or oilier
house of worship, aud for a burying ground,
which shall be improved, enjoyed, or used only
for such purpose; or auch sale, gift, lease or de-
vise shall be void.
Art. 35. That no other test or qualification
ought to be required, on admission to any office
of trust or profit, than such oath of support and
fidelity to this State aud the United States, and
such oath of office as shall be directed by this
Convention, or the Legislature of this State.
Art. 36. That the manner of administering an
oath to any person ought to be such as those of
the religious persuasion, profession or denomina-
tion of which such person is one, generally|esteem
the most effectual confirmation by the attestation
of the Divine Being; and that the people called
Quakers, those called Tunkers, and those called
Menonists, and all others conscientiously scrupu-
lous of taking an oath on any occasion, ought to
be allowed to make their solemn affirmation in
the manner that Quakers have been heretofore
allowed to affirm, and to be of the same avail as
an oath, in all such cases as the affirmation of
Quakers hath been allowed and accepted within
this State, instead of an oath. And on such af-
fimation, warrants to search for stolen goods, or
the apprehension or commitment of offenders,
ought to be granted, or security for the peace
awarded, and Quakers, Tunkers, Menonists and
such others ought also, on their solemn affirma-
tion as aforesaid, to be admitted as witnesses in
all criminal cases.
Ait. 37. That the city of Annapolis ought to
have all its rights, privileges and benefits, agree-
able to its chatter, and the acts of Assembly con-
firming and regulating the same; subject, never-
theless, to such alterations as have been made
by the Legislature or as may be made by this
Convention or any future Legislature.
Art. 38. That the liberty of the press ought to
be invioably preserved.
Art. 39. That monopolies are odious, contrary
to the spirit of a iree government and the princi-
ples of commerce, and ought not to be suffered.
Art. 40. Thatno title of nobiKty or hereditary
honors, ought to be granted in this State.
Art. 41. That this Declaration »f Rights, or
the Form of Government to be established by