tion was going to give. It was not that time was
wanted by the Committees-but that it was
wanted by the Convention. There was already
business enough before them to occupy them
three months, and before that time had elapsed,
other business would be presented for their con-
sideration.
He cordially sustained the resolution, and
hoped it would meet with the favor of the Con-
vention.
Mr. KILGOUR said that in voting against this
resolution, as it was his intention to do, he obey-
ed the voice of at least one of his constituents,
who told him before he left home to take care of
his health. (Laughter.) And he had promised her
that he would do so. (Renewed laughter.) Was
it not enough to kill any man to sit here six or
seven hours a day? Especially hard was it as
concerned the reporters. Some little regard
certainly ought to be shown to them. Yet so
great was the labor, and so apprehensive was one
of them (Mr. WHEELER) as to the result, that it
was understood he was already in negotiation
with an undertaker as to the expensees of a de-
cent christian funeral in the city of Annapolise.
(General laughter.) Now, after the discussion
had been carried on for a short time, it would
be found that the Convention would grow tired
of it; and the result, he thought, would be that
a Constitution would be framed at an earlier date
than some gentlemen anticipated.
Mr. STEWART, of Caroline, said, he did not
rise so much for the purpose of saying any thing
for or against the resolution immediately under
consideration, as to suggest to the Convention
the necessity of giving their vote only after ma-
ture reflection. How often had the rules been
already changed? The whole system, as regard-
ed the hour of meeting, had been one of con-
stant, ceaseless change. But the procrastina-
tion which had marked the proceedings of this
body, grew not so much out of the speeches that
were made, as out of the want of concert of action
in and out of the Convention. It was necessary
that there should be such a concert of action by
a majority of the Convention somewhere, either
in or out of doors. He cared not how that end
was to be brought about. He was ready now
to go inot a Reform caucu, and ascertain who
were Reformers, and who were ready to do
the business of the Convention. Here they were
floating recklessly about on the broad waters of
speculation, every man entertaining his own
views and adhering to his own pre-conceived
opinions; and if things were to go on in this
way, it was easy to foesee that the session
would be protracted to an indefinite period. He
would vote for this resolution, just to try it.
Allusion had been made to the probable loss
of health by the members of the Convention.
He thought every gentleman looked pretty well.
(Laughter.) But it was not because they sat
here too long, or deliberated too intensely that
danger to their health was to be apprehend-
ed. It was to be feared from the fact, that gen-
tlemen lived too high-(general laughter)-Gen-
tlemen came here accustomed to plain diet |
(renewed laughter)-and to regularity of meals.
Provided, That the voter, if required, shall
make affidavit, that be did not move into the
election district to affect the election then being
held."
Mr. BUCHANAN said, he believed he was enti-
tled to the floor, but as there was no question pen-
ding upon which he desired to be heard, he would
yield his right to any gentleman who desired
it.
Mr. CHAMBERS, of Kent, said he was about to
offer a proposition, which he supposed would
constitute the first section, so far as the Conven-
tion had, by its votes indicated what that section
should be. After conference with several gen-
tlemen, some of whom voted on one side, and
some on the other, in relation to the various pro-
positions, which had been offered, and after heir-
ing some difficulties expressed in relation to the
effect of the vote on the proposition of the gen-
tleman from Anne Arundel (Mr. DORSEY) which
had been adopted yesterday; difficulties arising
from an apprehension, that that proposition
would not effect the object designed; he (Mr. C.) |
