men to rise here gravely to discuss a question
settled last night in a caucus. It would he the
extreme of folly to engage in an argument against
a proposition, to the support of which a majority
is solemnly pledged. The Constitution was lo be
made for the whole people, it ought to be made
by the representatives of the whole people. Any
other course of proceeding would impose on the
State a Constitution formed by a minority of the
Convention, in fact, though not in form. Other
gentlemen might think ibis an allowable and pro-
per course. Doubtless if they pursue it, they do
so think. He had no right nor any inclination
to censure them for such opinions, but he did
claim the privilege of expressing a contrary opin-
ion, aid he further thought, that when it became
the settled practice to adjust matters elsewhere
than in this body, and by a portion of it less than
the whole, it would be well for the other mem-
bers to save the State the expense, and them-
selves the time and trouble of remaining here.
Mr. PRESSTMAN addressed the Convention at
some length, but before closing his remarks,
(which will be hereafter published,) gave way to
a motion to adjourn.
Which being agreed to,
The Convention adjourned until to-morrow
morning at 10 o'clock.
WEDNESDAY, March 26, 1851.
The Convention met at ten o'clock.
Prayer was made by the Rev. Mr. GRAUFF.
The roll was called, and
The journal of yesterday was read and ap-
proved.
Mr. BISER, presented a petition of fifty-two citi-
zens of Frederick county, praying that provision
may be made in the new Constitution to prevent
the sale of intoxicating drinks, except the same
shall first be sanctioned or approved by a majori-
ty of the voters in the county, election district or
ward, where the same is to be sold; and
Mr. PARKE presented a petition of forty-nine
citizens of Carroll county of similar import;
Which were severally read, and
Referred to the select committee already ap-
pointed on that subject.
BASIS OF REPRESENTATION.
Mr. HOWARD offered the following order:
"Ordered, That the Convention will on
day next, at o'clock, unless the de-
bate shall have ceased before that time, proceed
to vote upon the various motions, propositions,
articles and amendments, which may be pending
touching the subject of representation.
The order having been read—
Mr. HOWARD said:
His object was to draw out the opinions of
gentlemen, so that some day might be fixed up-
on by general consent, when the debate should
terminate. |
Mr. MERRICK. Does the gentleman designate
any day?
Mr. HOWARD I have left the time blank, so
that the Convention may fix upon some time—I
day or two hence, when the question shall be ta-
ken.
Mr. MERRICK said:
He had conferred with some gentlemen as to
the propriety of designating a day for the termi-
nation of the debate, and the idea seemed to be,
so far as he could learn, that it should bebrought
to a close on Friday next.
The Convention was now quite full—as full,
probably, as it could be expected to be—and, by
fixing a day, gentlemen would have notice in
time to he present. At this moment, however,
the Convention was thin, and he suggested that
the order should lie over until to-morrow.
Mr. BLAKISTONE enquired of the gentleman
from Baltimore county, who had introduced the
order, (Mr. Howard,) whether it was intended
that a vote should be taken on the various propo-
sitions that might be submitted, or that the Con-
vention should be confined to the two proposi-
tions which might be pending at the lime the de-
bate was closed. Were all other propositions
to be excluded?
He desired himself to present what he consid-
ered as the ultimatum for which he was likely to
go. For his own part, he was prepared to vote
now; but he would like to get the proposition
which would be most acceptable to the people.
Mr. MERRICK took it for granted, he said, that
there was no intention to exclude any proposi-
tion, and that the only object of the order was to
fix a day for the close of the debate, so that all
gentlemen might have fair notice when the ques-
tion would be taken.
Mr. BROWN suggested to the gentleman from
the county, (Mr Howard.) so to modify the pro-
position, as to allow five minutes for explana-
tions to gentlemen who might oiler proposi-
tions.
Mr. B also suggested that the blank should be
filled now, and the resolution adopted, so as to
give all the time possible to absent gentlemen to
return to the city.
Mr SMITH asked that Saturday should be sub-
stituted for Friday. One of his friends, (he
said.) from Western Maryland, (Mr. Schley,)
now absent on indispensable business, was exceedingly
anxious to be here when the vote was
taken. It was impossible for that gentleman to
receive notice so as to be here by Friday, but he
could reach the city by Saturday. He had re-
quested him, (Mr. Smith,) when a time should be
fixed for the termination of the debate, to inform
him of the fact.
Mr. MITCHELL expressing his desire that the
fullest possible attendance should be obtained
when the vote was taken, moved to fill the blank
with Monday next.
Mr. MORGAN said, that some gentlemen de-
sired Monday, and some Friday. The object was
that notice might be given to all the absent mem-
bers of the Convention, that the vote would be
taken at a specified time. He knew of some |
