at a fixed period, the business of the Convention
might be facilitated. After it was reported from
the committee of the whole, or perhaps in com-
mittee of the whole, after the general debate had
terminated, it might be desirable to allow five
minutes, or perhaps a still less time, for ex-
planation of amendments. Other changes of the
rule, not requisite to be mentioned here, might
also be found advisable and proper.
He had made this movement from the sincerest
motives and the kindest feelings. Especially had
he made it from motives of charity to the reform
party in this Convention, who were bringing up-
on themselves a tremendous responsibility, and
heaping coals of fire upon their own heads. Up-
on them the people would visit the consequences
of the state of things which now existed in this
Convention.
He had only to request that if the committee
should be appointed, the President would not
place him, (Mr. S.,) upon it.
Mr. GWINN said:
That he would gladly support the motion of
the gentleman from Calvert, or any motion which
would facilitate the business of the Convention,
In the absence of other means he would himself
move, before long, to fix a day for the adjourn-
ment of the Convention, distant enough to ensure
a full consideration of all the business which it
was assembled to perform, and yet sufficiently
near to make all absentees sensible of the neces-
sity of their attendance.
Much bad been said in relation to the diligence
of this Convention. He did not intend to detract
from its merits, whatever they might be, but it
was certain that it afforded evidences of a longer
session, than any body which had ever assembled
in any one of the several States, which had re-
sorted to the same means of reforming their
Constitution. Our duties and our labors, dignify
them as we may, stand in no higher place than
those which other Conventions have performed.
He confessed that he was anxious to bring the
labors of this Convention to a close. When a
member of the last Legislature, he had support-
ed the bill under which it was organised. He
did not do this because he considered it just, or
equitable, in all its parts,—but fur the reason that
the reform party of the whole State had commit-
ted itself to bills as unequal in their character,
from the beginning of the movement, to the day
of the passage of the bill in question. He was
then hopeful, that, unequal as the representation
was, full justice would be done to all sections of
the State. In the Legislature, with such inequali-
ty, little could be expected. It was composed
chiefly of young men, who, properly enough,
were unwilling to assume the direction of pub-
lic opinion in the sections of the State, which
they represented. The Legislature, in general,
is but the index of the public feeling, and must
have attained extraordinary developement before
a body, so constituted, will obey its impulse.
But it was supposed that this Convention, made
up of men distinguished for long and honorable
service to the State Government, and from their
position and ability, entitled to direct public

opinion, would be prepared to assume the responsibility
of over-leaping the narrow limits or
present interest, and would provide, with a wise
foresight, for such a settlement of this vexed
question, as would ensure future tranquility in
the whole State. He confessed that he had been
disappointed—deeply and bitterly disappoint-
ed—but he was not less anxious to bring the
labors of the body to a speedy and sober conclu-
sion. It would be, after all, but the making of
the first step; a small step, it might chance to
be—but it would he the beginning of a progress,
which should end only in the attainment of full
aid substantial justice.
The PRESIDENT, (to Mr. Sollers.) Does the
gentleman designate any number of which the
committee shall be composed ?
Mr. SOLLERS said he would submit that point
to the judgment of the Chair.
Mr SOLLERS then took the floor, and disclaim-
er any intention to detract from the character of
the gentleman from Baltimore city, (Mr. Gwinn,)
or of any of that delegation, but expressed the
opinion that the confusion of tongues of which
he, (Mr. S.,) had spoken, had been created in a
great degree by that delegation, owing to the
amount of talking which they had done.
Mr. GWINN. The gentlemen must remember
that we are entitled to one third of the talking.
[Laughter.]
Mr. SOLLERS. You are entitled to it, and you
have done it. [Laughter.]
Mr, BUCHANAN said he believed the Conven-
tion would bear him witness that he had talked
but little hitherto, and, for himself, he could
promise, that he should talk still less hereafter.
I am gratified, (continued Mr. B.,) at the propo-
sition of the gentleman from Calvert, (Mr. Sol-
lers ) It meets my hearty approbation. But I
think that the gentlemen will perceive that some
injustice has been done, which, if report speaks
truly of him, he would be the last roan to do.
Sometime ago the proceedings of this Conven-
tion were spoken of is being dilatory elsewhere,
and sometimes here. I am free to confess, that
the progress of business has been protracted and
slow. Nevertheless, I believe that there are men
here, who, from first to last, have been influ-
enced by the sincerest and most conscientious de-
sire to discharge their legitimate duties. And I
say to my friend from Calvert, (Mr. Sollers,)
that, so far as the standing committees are
concerned, every one of them has made its re-
ports. These reports are before the Convention ;
are about to be taken up;) and although we
are just now, as the gentleman has observed, only
on the threshold of the dehate; still the work is
all cut out, and is here. Let us do it. I, for one,
am ready.
I had occasion some time ago, in an incidental
debate here, to refer to the labor which had
been performed by the committees of this body,
and to shew that the last of all complaints which
could justly be made against them, was that they
had been neglectful of their duty, or slow in its
discharge. The results of their labors are now
before us, and I believe that if the proposition of