and a modification, arbitrary to some extent
must be make.
Mr. C. regretted he could not have the aid of
his friend from Prince George's, (Mr. Tuck.)
He did not complain that the gentleman consult-
ed the feelings and opinions of his particular con-
stituency, but he thought while consulting the
wishes of the people, we should still keep an eye
to what is right in itself, and he most certainly
believed it was in itself right and proper, and
therefore, the duty of the Convention to district
the city of Baltimore. He should, therefore, en-
deavor to effect that alone, but failing in that he
should go for also districting those counties
which will be entitled to three or more dele-
gates.
Mr. C. said, provision had already been made
for such cases in the bill which was before us on
that subject. The voter must reside six months
in that part of the county in which he offers to
vote, but does not lose his residence in one part
of the county until he gains it in another.
BASIS OF REPRESENTATION.
Remarks of Mr. Chambers, same date.
Mr. CHAMBERS. The purpose which I intended
in making this motion was, first, to propose a re-
duction of the number of delegates allowed to
the city of Baltimore. By the present bill, the
city of Baltimore will be entitled to ten delegates.
I do not mean to repeat the reasons which have
been so often urged, why neither the interests of
Baltimore, or of any other part of the State, re-
quire this enlargement of their number. I have
only to say, that so far as I have been able to observe
what is the public sentiment, I am convinced
that out of the city of Baltimore, the measure has
not received commendation, and that within the
city of Baltimore, it is not approved by a very
large number of its inhabitants.
Another object is to enlarge the delegation
from the counties of Charles and Montgomery.
It will be found, by reference to the tables, that
Charles county, with a population of 16,162, is
allowed two delegates. Cecil county, with a
population of 18,933, and Harford county, with
19,355, are each allowed 3 delegates. Mont-
gomery, with a population of 15,860, has two
delegates. This is not based upon any principle,
but is an arbitrary and gratuitous assignment of
members. Allegany county, with a population
of 32,872, has a delegation of four; while Charles
county, with more than 16,000, has but two.
Does not that strike every man's sense of justice
as being at variance with the respective claims of
those counties I do not wish to disturb the al-
lowance made to Allegany county, but is it pro-
per, in connection with it, to allow a county
within 6 or 7000 in population, only one-half the
number.
I will state further, for I wish the whole scheme
in my mind to be developed, should the conven-
tion decline to reduce the number of delegates for
the city of Baltimore, I shall certainly renew the |
attempt to district that city. The number of
votes, and the character of the votes given in the
city of Baltimore, are familiar to every one. It
is not necessary at all to my argument, that the
parties in that city should be so equally balanced
as to render the result of any election uncertain;
but it cannot be denied that there is a very large
number of voters who are not represented in their
political feelings in the Legislature, and who, ac-
cording to this arrangement, never will be.
In a population of 170,000, when nearly one-
half of the people are unrepresented, it is a very
strong consideration to afford this immense mass
of people an opportunity of expressing their po-
litical opinions. I suppose it is conceded that
the Constitution is not made for the exclusive
purpose of gratifying the majority; or in other
words, that minorities have some rights, and that
to enforce those rights, or at least to make them
known, they are entitled to a representation in
the counsels of the State. Under the present arrangement,
such a result is hopeless, is it right
that it should be? I think not. There are dis-
tinct interests in Baltimore city, in other matters
as well as politics. Every principle which leads
to the separation of the population of the State
in counties, would seem to lead to a separation
of the different portions of this immense mass of
population, falling but little short of 170,000.
This is so manifestly right that the city of Balti-
more itself, acting according to its own sense of
justice, has adopted this very principle, electing
by wards, and not by general ticket. Without
enlarging upon these views, which I suppose are
fully comprehended and fully appreciated, I
merely announce these as the general reasons
why I shall be obliged to adopt this course, if
driven to it by the necessity of retaining the pre-
sent number of representatives.
I have no desire to consume the time of the
Convention, which is exceedingly precious, and I
forbear to multiply remarks, believing that the
Convention have a full, entire and comprehensive
view of this subject. But although not disposed
to provoke debate, I shall be the last to shrink
from it, if debate be considered necessary.
Remarks of Mr. Chambers, same date.
Mr. CHAMBERS. Unless some other gentleman
wishes to speak, I have a few words to say be-
fore the vote is taken. I regret exceedingly to
hear the sentiments avowed by gentlemen whose
aid I had expected. I think I had a right to sup-
pose that gentlemen who imagined the present
scheme iniquitous, would not withhold their votes
to allow the Convention an opportunity to make
it less so. We have been told by the gentleman
from Baltimore city that he regards this bill, as
adopted by the Convention, as utterly in violation
of every claim which could be made by his con-
stituents, sanctioned by principles of political
propriety. It is a scheme against which all his
exertions have been levelled. I maintain that
neither the late hour of the session, nor any
other fact can justify this Convention, or any individual
in this Convention, in doing an act of in-
justice. It is the duty of every man and every |
