my friend from Calvert, (Mr. Sollers,) prevails,
we shall do more work within the next five
weeks, so far as the perfecting of measures is
concerned, than we have done in the whole an-
tecedent period of our session. But I concur
entirely in opinion with him, that we must put
a stop to this everlasting propensity to talk. And
to accomplish that object, some uniform rule will
be required,
If one gentleman indulges in remarks, another
must have the privilege of reply, and thus in-
stead of closing our labors by the first of April,
(after which period, I do not believe that a
quorum of this body can be kept together.) we
shall not terminate them until September. I cast
reflections upon the course of no man, but I
have a right to vindicate my own. ,
During the three and a half months that have
elapsed since the meeting of this Convention, I
have been absent from my seat only two days.
I am here at my post now and at all times, ready
and anxious to discharge the duties which have
been entrusted to my hands. So far as my per-
sonal wishes or interests are concerned, the bus-
iness of this Convention cannot he disposed of
too soon. I will vole for every fair and reason-
able proposition which has that most desirable
consummation in view.
Mr. JOHN DENNIS said:
That as it seemed to be the order of the day
for gentlemen to give their experience, it might
not perhaps be considered inappropriate in him
to say a very few words on the proposition now
under consideration. The Convention would
bear him witness that he had obtruded himself
but little on its attention—whether, because his
natural temperament was such, that he was not
troubled so much as some gentlemen, with that
raging disease known as the cacoethes loquendi,
or whether because he did not feel himself as
competent to participate in public discussions as
others, it was not tor him to say. But from the
commencement of the session until the present
time, with the exception of a short interval after
the recess, he had been in his seat.
It had pleased the honorable gentleman who
presides over the deliberations of this assembly,
with so much dignity, ability and credit to him-
self, to appoint him upon four very important
committees—to wit: The committee of twenty-
one, composed of a member from each county,
and the city of Baltimore—the committee on
qualifications of members to seats—the commit-
tee on the apportionment of representation—and
the committee of twenty-one called the union
committee.
I believe, (continued Mr. D ,) that during the
sittings of these committees, night or day, I have
been absent but once. I am, therefore, respon-
sible for none of the impediments or delays which
have attended the transaction of the business
for which we assembled. In May last, when
the subject of this Convention was mooted, I, in
the exercise of my privilege, voted against the
call; nut that I did not think there might be gome
improvements made in the Constitution, but be-
cause I doubted the propriety and expediency of

this mode of action, and, because, from the little
experience which I had had in the course of
twenty years, I feared the result would be pretty
much that, which surrounding events and circum-
stances now foreshadow.
During the last fall, I took the ground before the
people that no man could estimate what the cost
of this Convention would be. It was said that
it would be some sixty thousand dollars. My
answer was, that it might cost that sum—
or it might cost one hundred thousand dol-
lars—or that, for aught that could then be
foretold, it might cost two hundred thousand
dollars. I knew we might anticipate that some
long-winded gentlemen would be returned to this
body. whose love of speaking, growing by what it
fed on, would render it impossible to tell how
long we might remain here, or what the cost
might ultimately be. Although no prophet, nor
the son of a prophet, it seems that these antici-
pations are likely to be realized. The wide un-
bounded prospect lies before us—but shadows,
clouds and darkness rest upon it.
We are here in chaos, and when we are ever
to emerge from the darkness that envelopes us,
into the light of day—the powers above alone can
tell.
I knew or thought I knew, that this task of
making a Constitution would prove more diffi-
cult in its execution, than was dreampt of in the
philosophy of those whose vision is bounded by
the political horizon of twenty-four hours. In-
stead of finding it a work of such easy execution,
it is now discovered it may not inaptly be com-
pared to the labor of Sisyphus.
I told my people that I preferred they would
select another delegate in my place; but when.
they insisted that I should represent them here,
I told them of all the difficulties by which we
should be met. I told them that the duration
of the session would be far beyond any calcula-
tion of theirs, or any reasonable expectation of
my own, and that it might become requisite for
me to return to my home.
I shall vote with all my heart ill favor of the
proposition of the gentleman from Calvert, (Mr.
Sollers,) or of any other that is likely to be at-
tended with beneficial results.
It is high time that something should bedone.
If something is not done, we may go on ad infinitum,
and never bring our labors to a close. Let
us stop debate, and go to work.
Mr. MORGAN said, that he should, with plea-
sure, support the proposition of his friend from
Calvert, (Mr. Sollers,) but declared, in advance,
that he would not vote for the proposition of the
gentleman from Baltimore city, (Mr. Gwinn.)
The Convention, (continued Mr. M.) will bear
me out in the assertion, that I am not one of those
at whose, door can rest the charge of having in-
terrupted or impeded the proceedings of the
Convention, by offering propositions which have
led to debate, or by debating such propositions
myself. And I must say to my friend from Bal-
timore city, (Mr. Gwinn,) that the motion of
which he has given notice, comes with no very
good grace from him. For, I think that the pro-
ceedings of the Convention will show that most