tery system. The grants had been generally
made for charitable purposes. The question
now to be determined, was whether $2,000 annually
should be taken out of the treasury to pay
this lottery commissioner, when the fees received
by them were sufficient to pay them. The
objection was urged that it would continue the
system two years longer. By continuing it two
years longer, there would be received into the
treasury more than $100,000. Would there be
any crime in that? It was benevolence; and if
people would indulge in this species of gam-
bling, why should not the State derive the ben-
efit from it. But it was doubtful whether the
gentleman from Anne Arundel could wind up
the system in five years by his plan. He [Mr.
M.] had consulted the present lottery commis-
sioners upon the subject, as well as ex-Governor
Pratt, and others who were acquainted with the
matter, and they all approved of his amendment,
as the only mode by which the system could be
wound up in seven years.
Mr. SPENCER inquired what was the amount
received by the commissioner at present, inclu-
ding his salary.
Mr. DONALDSON replied that the report of
March, 1848, stated the amount to be $2,579,
in addition to the salary of $1,250; making in all
$3,829; but it had increased since that time.
Mr. SPENCER said he was opposed to the
amendment. He was opposed to all contingent
salaries. He was in favor of fixed salaries, so
that every body could understand them.
Mr. DONALDSON proposed a modification .which
was accepted, and is. incorporated above in Mr.
TUCK'S proposition, to render it certain that the
lottery commissioner would only receive the
fixed salary allowed; and proceeded to show that
it was for the interest of the whole community
that the system should be closed up at the earliest
possible date.
Mr. GRASON preferred that the section should
be stricken out altogether, and that the whole
matter should be left to the Legislature. It
would take at least a week to devise a proper
lottery system. He was opposed to the section
as reported, for several reasons. There ought
to be a correction of present abuses. He had had
occasion to examine the whole subject; and he
had found that the commissioners receiving fees
upon the sale of grants, would sell new grants,
just as they were going out of office. Formerly
there had been three commissioners but in 1841,
a law had been passed reducing the number to
two, and reducing the salary to $1,250, taking
away the payment of clerk. This had led to
the resort to extra fees. He was satisfied that
the sum proposed was never too large. There
was a single officer who had the receipt of an
immense sum of money in the course of the
year, and who might turn it to his own uses, if
he was a dishonest man. It was absolutely ne-
cessary to have a clerk. The labor of the office
would be very heavy, and it was necessary that
one or both should be present at the drawing of |
every lottery. He should prefer that the section
should be stricken out altogether.
Mr. JOHN NEWCOMER moved the previous
question. .
On motion of Mr. SPENCER,
The House was called and the doorkeeper sent
for the absent members,
Mr. MCHENRY moved to suspend further pro-
ceedings under the call.
Determined in the negative.
On motion of Mr. SPENCER, the Convention
resolved to proceed with the ordinary business
of the session during the absence of the door-
keeper.
Mr. JOHN NEWCOMER submitted the following
order.
Ordered, That when this Convention adjourns
to-night, it stands adjourned until Monday morn-
ing next at 9 o'clock.
Which was twice read and adopted.
Mr. MAGRAW submitted sundry accounts,
Which were read and referred to the commit-
tee on accounts.
Mr. MAGRAW from the select committee, sub-
mitted the following report:
The undersigned appointed under an order
passed on the 28th ult., respectfully report that
in pursuance of said order they have examined
the record of the journal of proceedings which.
has been kept by the secretary of the Conven-
tion, and find from the examination which they
have been able to make that as far as completed
it is an accurate transcript of the proceedings.
It will require several weeks to finish the re-
cord, and by an order which recently passed the
Convention, the secretary has had other labors
imposed upon him which will require much of
his time after the adjournment of the Conven-
tion. In consideration of the arduous duties
which have devolved upon the secretary during
the session of the Convention, the committee
would recommend that his per diem should be
increased, and that it should extend to such a
period as will enable him to complete the extra
duties imposed upon him. Your committee
therefore respectfully submit the following resolutions.
SAMUEL M. MAGRAW,
GEORGE C. MORGAN,
J. M. S. MCCUBBIN.
Resolved, That the secretary of this Conven-
tion be directed to have prepared a manuscript
record of the proceedings of the Convention, and
to have the same placeed in the State Library.
Resolved, That the committee on accounts be
directed to pay to George G. Brewer, secretary
of the Convention, as compensation for his services,
six dollars per diem from the commencement
of the session to the 1st day of June next,
in lieu of all other compensation.
Which was read.
Mr. WELCH moved to amend said resolution
by inserting after the word "secretary," the
words "and assistant secretary."
Determined in the negative.
Mr. SPENCER moved to amend said resolution |
