As a member of the committee on the judi-
ciary, I have never yet expressed my sentiments
either on one side or the other. So far as my
individual opinions are concerned, I may say,
that, with a few exceptions, I shall oppose all
parts of the report of the Chairman of the com-
mittee, and that I shall at the proper time, sub-
mit my views upon the subject.
In the earlier part of the session I threw out
the general opinions I entertained. So with re-
gard to the minority report of the gentleman
from Somerset, (Mr. Crisfield.) That report
cannot receive my support or sanction. This
important question remains to be considered and
acted upon.
Are we prepared to come here, sit all day in
the discussion of grave questions like this, and
then return again to the same duty in the even-
ing? I think I have about as strong a constitu-
tion as any member of this body, and that I can
undergo as much fatigue. But what must be
the condition of some other gentlemen advanced
inyears—who were sent here for their wisdom,
learning and virtue; occupying seats on both
sides of the Chamber—of one party and of the
other.
Are we, by our course of proceedings, to break
down the health of these gentlemen, and there-
by deprive ourselves of the benefit of their ser-
vices at a period of the day when we shall have
most need of their prudence and discretion? Al-
low me to say, that even if the strength of all
of us were equal to such a test, and even if we
were all capable, as some gentlemen seem to be.
of seeing at a glance the strong points of all pro-
positions, and of comprehending, with a sagacity
unrivalled, their tendency and operation—still
no good result can grow out of these evening
sessions. They will not be attended. We shall
waste our time in continual calls of the Conven-
tion, and if any propositions should be carried,
they will be reconsidered the next day.
If, however, we continue to meet at ten and
and adjourn at three, we can, whenever any
emergency arises rendering such a step expedi-
ent, remain here one, two, or three hours be-
yond the usual time. Such a motion will hardly
fail of success, whenever its necessity or pro-
priety shall he apparent.
We shall then proceed regularly and systematically
with the business before us, and in my
judgment will expedite the period of our final
adjournment That the contrary course will
by the difficulties it will interpose, embarrass
our business and protract our session, I have no
adoubt.
Mr. TUCK referred to the evening sessions of
the Legislature and said, that the comparison
was not altogether correct. The Legislature
always had before it a multiplicity of business
on many different subjects Evening session
were principally devoted to local legislation, and
then there was a struggle as to which bill should
come up first, and hence the confusion. But |
he had always observed, that when they were
engaged on a subject which involved the public
interests of the State, and had an evening session,
gentlemen were as attentive then as in the morn-
ing. The gentleman from Anne Arundel had
said, that on account of ill health, he would not
be able to attend the evening sessions Last
Saturday evening he saw that gentleman voting
against all adjournments, going so far as to say,
that he would be willing to sit there all night to
carry a measure.
Mr. DORSEY said that he did not want to put
off the question.
Mr. TUCK said that he was only stating a fact.
They had now been in session over five months,
and he believed they had settled nothing yet, ex-
cept one clause in relation, to slavery. They
had many things to do, and unless they worked
faster, they could not get through the Constitu-
tion so as to submit it to the people to vote on
by the first of June. They could try this experi-
ment, and if it should not succeed, they could
return to their old plan. It was worth an experi-
ment. As to what fell from the gentleman from
Queen Anne's, he concurred in it. He, (Mr, T.,)
suspected that they were to have a good many
speeches—speeches to go on the record—which
would convince nobody. In his opinion they
might just as well be delivered in the afternoon
as at any other lime. Under the present state
of things, he would underlake to say, that they
could not complete their labors by the first of
May.
Mr. HOWARD said that there was one conside-
ration bearing upon this matter, which bethought
members should not lose sight of. If they should
pass this order, and wished their speeches to be
taken down in short-hand and then written out,
it would be impossible that it could be done
when they crowded business upon the reporters
in this manner. It seemed to him that this would
be physically and mentally impossible, unless
they should call to the aid of their reporters some
three or four more to assist them. It was a
wonder that they had kept up thus far with the
proceedings. They must write out the speeches
at night or at some time, and if they should im-
pose this duty upon them, it would be utterly
impossible for them to keep up with the Conven-
tion.
Mr. THOMAS very widely differed with gentle-
men who opposed this order. He had seen even-
ing sessions in the Congress of the United States,
a much more numerous body than this, and had
known a great deal of good to grow out of them.
He could not but think that it was doing injus-
tice to the Convention to say that they could not
assemble in evening sessions. The gravity of
the occasion would make men grave. He could
not believe that after having been there so long
without setting one great principle—hardly one—
that that body would refuse to give to the public
interests additional sessions of three or four
hours. He would take occasion to say, that it
was perfectly congenial to his feelings in every |
