important and difficult, as well as the most deli-
cate work in the construction of a republican
Constitution. Upon the wisdom and prudence
of our action depend the prosperity and happi-
ness of Maryland now, and, it may be, fur ages
to come. it behooves us therefore, to approach
the consideration of questions so grave and im-
portant, with calmness and deliberation, deeply
impressed with the magnitude of the trust committed
to our charge, and influenced only by an
honest and patriotic determination of performing
well and rightfully the work we are called on to
do.
Mr President, very many schemes for the dis-
tribution of political power among the people of
the various sections of the commonwealth, have
been presented, each worthy of consideration ;
but, I do not propose to occupy the attention of
the Convention with the examination of but one
of these schemes. Under existing circumstan-
ces, I deem the scheme referred to the most im-
portant. it is favored by a large portion of this
body. It has received a larger affirmative vote
than any other proposition. My friend, who
sits behind me, (Mr Shower,) has given notice
that he will move lo reconsider the vote by which
it was rejected; and its advocates boast of their
intention and ability to carry it. A measure so
important in itself, and presented under circum-
stances so imposing, demand from us the fullest
consideration We are called on, carefully to ex-
amine its tendencies and weigh its effect on the
interests of those we severally represent.
It is scarcely necessary that I should inform
the Convention that I refer to the proposition of
the gentleman from Washington county, (Mr.
Fiery,) which I will read for the information of
the Convention. It is as follows :
Mr. FIERY moved to amend the report submit-
ted by Mr MERRICK, as chairman of the commit-
tee on representation, by striking out all after
the words " the House of Delegates," in the se-
cond section, first line, and inserting in lieu there-
of the following:
" Shall be composed of seventy-three mem-
bers, to be apportioned among the several coun-
ties and city of Baltimore, according to the ratio
herein provided, and to their several numbers,
(as shown by the last census of the United
States,) which shall be determined by adding to
the whole number of free persons, including
those bound to service for a term of years,
three-fifths of the slaves, and allowing to each
county one additional delegate for a fraction exceeding
three-fourths of the ratio, but each coun-
ty shall be entitled to at least two delegates
The ratio shall be one delegate to every six thousand
of said population in said counties and city,
until the number of the House of Delegates shall
be sixty-nine, and thereafter the ratio shall be
one to every thirty-two thousand. |
Counties. Population. No. of Deleg's.
Allegany, . . . 22 584 4
Anne Arundel, . 20,871 3
Baltimore county, 40,082 6
Carroll, . . . 20,220 3
Caroline, . . 9,370 3
Calvert, . . . 7 824 3
Cecil, . . . 18,601 3
Charles, . . . 12,329 2
Dorchester, . .17,162 3
Frederick, . . 37,419 6
Harford, . . . 18,498 3
Kent, . .. . 10,608 2
Montgomery, . 13,815 2
Prince George's, .16 946 3
Queen Anne's, . 12,776 2
St. Mary's, . . 11,359 2
Somerset, . . 20,224 3
Talbot, . . . 12,158 2
Washington,. .30,108 5
Worcester, . . 17,490 3
Baltimore City, 167,830 10
Howard, . . . 12,000 2
Total, 73
The first idea which is suggested by this pro-
position is, that the rule laid down, is deduced
from the distribution, not the distribution from
the rule. it is evidently designed to favor a par-
ticular region. Its authors have arbitrarily de-
termined how many, in their judgment, their fa-
vorite section ought to have; and then they have
made a rule to fit their own allotment; and they
have done it, too, with some skill They per-
fectly understand the value of fractions, and have
assumed a devisor which occasions the least pos-
sible loss to their own region.
inwashington county there is a fraction of
only one hundred and eight lost, while in Anne
Arundel there is a fraction of two thousand eight
hundred and seventy-one, and in Somerset a
fraction of two thousand two hundred and twen-
ty-four thrown away. By this rule, seven coun-
ties, with thirty members, lose fractions to the
amount of only three thousand four hundred and
thirty-six while the remaining or eastern coun-
ties, with but thirty-three members, lose six
thousand three hundred and fifty-eight in frac-
tions.
Allegany, with a fraction of little more than
three quarters of a ratio, gets an additional mem-
ber, while Somerset and Anne Arundel with
fractions in each, equal very nearly to half a ra-
tio, get nothing for them. Baltimore city with
ten members, loses for fractions but three thou-
sand eight hundred and thirty, while Somerset
and Anne Arundel, together with but six members,
upwards of five thousand for fractions.
This rule also gives to the seven western coun-
ties, including Cecil and the city of Baltimore, |
