subjects of State policy; and it therefore be-
comes a a matter for gentlemen here to determine
for themselves, whether the recollections
of this little boy of thirteen years of age, is to
be relied upon after a lapse of twelve years.
Especially would he inquire whether these re-
collections were to be relied upon, when in con-
flict with his own declarations. He himself, at
that time, was certainly over twenty-one years
of age, and a candidate lor a seat in the House
of Delegates, of Maryland. He was not much
in the habit of speaking without some reflection,
and always felt responsible for the opinions
which he uttered, and he would add that this
speech was not delivered without due reflection,
and under a proper sense of the responsibility
of his position.
What he did say, upon that occasion, and
what he had said upon other occasions was
this. That he had never voted to appropriate
one cent of the public money to any work of
internal improvement. That he had been a
member of the committee upon internal improvements,
at a time when this internal improvement
mania, was running wild through-
out Maryland, and throughout the whole country.
That at that time, and ever since, he had op-
posed in committee, and out of committee, in
the House, and out of the House, every propo-
sition to appropriate the public money to works
of internal improvements, which had come be-
fore the Legislature whilst honored with a seat
here. He had said farther; that there was a sink-
ing fund provided sufficient to meet the princi-
pal of the public debt and and that the annual
accruing interest, was the only thing to be pro-
vided for. He stated also, that the internal im-
provement works, were all mortgaged to the
State of Maryland for the payment of the in-
terest of the public debt, that they had up to
to that time, paid the interest, and if the contin-
ued to pay the interest promptly, there would be
no taxes on account of these public works; and
if these provisions were all complied with, he
would hold himself responsible for the taxes.
These were the opinions, sir, and this the argu-
ment used upon that occasion, nothing more, and
nothing his. Now, sir, he would ask if there
be any gentleman here or elsewhere, who
would deny the truthfulness of these propositions?
No sir, they are self-evident, and cannot
be controverted.
Mr. PHELPS said in conclusion, he would re-
mark, that not only this much abused speech, but
all his public acts, had passed under review by
his constituents, again and again, and upon each
and every occasion, he had been triumphantly sus-
tained by them. Not only was he elected in
thirty-nine, but upon every occasion since, when
he had asked an election at their hands. From
the period of that memorable speech, in thirty-
nine, to this day, with the exception of one year,
when he was not a candidate, he had been con-
nected with the public councils of Maryland,
either as a member of the House of Delegates,
of the State Senate, or of this Constitutional
43 |
Convention. This, sir, he said, was his vindica-
tion of this charge; this, his triumphant acquittal
by his own people, and he fell proud to say that
nothing more satisfactory to himself, could be
placed upon the records of the proceedings of this
justly distinguished and honorable body, than
this statement of facts. He would again repeat,
that he felt proud of the opportunity allowed
him, of placing himself right upon the record.
Mr. STEWART said that although a boy of thir-
teen. there was enough on that occasion indelibly
to fasten itself upon his recollection. It was the
first political meeting he had ever attended, and
the delight in healing such a distinguished man
as Dr. PHELPS, whom he had never then seen, but
often heard of, must naturally have made a deep
impression upon him. He could recal various
incidents which would satisfy the gentleman that
his recollection was distinct. He did not think
that the gentleman himself would contend that
he had said a single word at that time against in-
ternal improvements. He believed the gentle-
man might see the day yet, when he could wish
that he had advocated them and voted for them.
He, (Mr. S.,) belonged to a party that was op-
posed, in principle, to governments engaging in
internal improvements; yet. nevertheless, he
must say, that he believed those of this State,
would in the end, work out great profit to the
State, and give her a name abroad.
Mr. PHELPS said, that he had not introduced
the subject of internal improvements. He had
merely suggested that if territory was to be recog-
nized atall, it should be recognized in the appor-
tionment of representatives. He had no further
explanation to make than he had already made a
hundred times. Every man in Dorchester county,
knew that he had stated the argument cor-
rectly.
The question being taken upon the amendment
moved by Mr, SCHLEY, to strike out the proviso,
It was rejected
The question then recurred upon the amend-
ment moved by Mr PHELPS.
Mr. SCHLEY said that the amendment appeared
to him defective, in not providing any mode by
which the sense of the people could be legally
ascertained. He was not prepared, however,
at present, to offer an amendment to accomplish
that object.
Mr. McHENRY then offered as a substitute for
the section and amendment, the following :
"New counties may be formed out of any one
or more existing counties, whenever a majority
of the voters thereof declare through the ballot-
box, in a manner prescribed by the Legislature,
their wish for such division and formation. But
no new county shall be established which, under
the provisions of this Constitution, shall be enti-
tled to less than three members of the House of
Delegates, or the establishment of which would
leave the county or counties divided entitled to
a less number. And in all cases, the separation
shall be made by commissioners chosen by the
electors of the county or counties to be divided."
Mr. DORSEY moved to amend the substitute by
adding at the end thereof, the following proviso : |
