cording to the decision of the chair, the house
can entertain five or six amendments at the
same time..
The PRESIDENT, The house can entertain
a thousand amendments.
Mr. HEBB. It seems to me that that is
against all parliamentary rule.
The PRESIDENT. There is no limitation to
amendments except that they must be in the
first or second degree. Every proposition
submitted to and entertained by the house by
recording it on the journal must bedisposed
of in some way.
Mr. HEBB. When the call for the previous
question is sustained, I do not see how
the convention can act upon other than pend-
ing amendments.
The PRESIDENT. The interpretation of the
gentleman of the operation of the previous
question would place the convention in the
anomalous position of having various propo-
sitions upon its records which it cannot dis-
pose of. When any proposition is entered
upon the journal it must be deposed of in
someway. ' ...
The question was then taken, by yeas and
nays, upon sustaining the call for the pre-
vious question, and resulted—yeas 28, nays
28—as follows:
Yeas—Messrs. Goldsborough, President;
Abbott, Annan, Baker, Cunningham, Cush-
ing, Dellinger, Ecker, Farrow, Galloway,
Greene.Hebb, Hopkins, Markey, McComas,
Mullikin, Murray, Nyman, Purnell, Robi-
nette, Sands, Schley, Smith, of Carloll,
Sneary, Stirling, Swope, Todd, Wooden—28;
Nays—Messrs. Audoun, Belt, Berry, of
Prince George's, Blakistone, Brown, Cham-
bers, Clark, Duvall,Earle, Edelen, Harwood,
Hollyday, Hopper, Horsey, Jones, of Somer-
set, Kennard King, Lansdale, Lee, Mar-
bury, Mitchell, Miller, Negley, Parker, Par-
ran, Peter, Pugh, Stockbridge—28.
The call for the previous question was not
sustained.
Pending the call for the yeas and nays, the
following explanations were madeby mem-
bers as their names were called :
Mr. ECKER. I shall vote in favor of order-
ing the previous question. I do not think
we are under obligations to gentlemen who
come here, make propositions of amendment
and alterations, and then go away uncere-
moniously and leave us in the lurch. I think
it is the duty of members to be here at all
times. I therefore vote "aye."
Mr. MILLER. I desire to say in explana-
tion of my vote, that the gentleman from
Baltimore county (Mr. Ridgley,) in connec-
tion with myself, has in view several amend-
ments in order to perfect the substitute he
has offered. If the previous question is sus-
tained, it will utterly prevent any such
amendments being offered, and bring the
house to a vote upon the amendment in, its
present imperfect condition. There are two |
or three little verbal amendments which I de-
sire to offer, and therefore I vote. " no."
Mr. NEGLEY This.subject was left in such
inextricable confusion the .other day, that 1
think it. would be folly to shut down on all
opportunities of amendment, especially as
this is one of the most important matters to
which the attention of this convention can be
called. I feel compelled, therefore, to vote
against this call of .the previous question, be-
cause I do not think that it, is proper that
this matter should be hurried through in an.
empty house by a species of legislative, trick-
ery I vote "no."
Mr. STIRLING. I shall vote for the .pre-
vious question because I believe it is time there
should be some ascertainment of the sense of,
the house upon the general question. I be-
ieve it is useless going on arguing particular.
propositons before we decide the general
question whether we want to sell the State's:
interest in our public works I therefore.
vote "aye."
The question recurred upon the amendment
to the substitute.
Mr. MILLER. I suppose notices of amend
ment to the original proposition are now in
order?
The PRESIDENT. Yes, sir
Mr...NEGLEY. I submit the following order:
"Ordered, That that 39th section of the re-
port. of the committee on the legislative de-
partment, together with all the proposed.
amendments thereto, be referred to a special
committee of nine, with instructions to report
on or before 12 o'clock noon on Friday next ;
and that the president, of this convention
the chairman of said committee."
The PRESIDENT. That can only be recieved
at this time by general consent.
.. Mr. HEBB. Does not the adoption of that
order take the whole report of the legislative
committee along with the thirty-ninth sec-
tion, to the select committee?
The PRESIDENT It does
Mr. Stirling I object to the order.
Mr. CLARKE. I presume that in the case.
of the formation of the constitution of this
sort, we might take out a particular section
and commit it to a select committee
The PRESIDENT. The chair does not under-
stand how the convention can commit a sec-
tion without committing the entire report.
Mr. CLARKE. As the chair decides it is
beyond the power of, the convention to dothat,lwouidmo.ve that this legislative report
be co.milutted'.to a special coniinitlee of nine.,.
with iiistructMu.s to report the ..same. back' to
thi* ..coilYentiQnbJ .12 .o'clock on Friday
next .with a. ailbslitnie for. the. thirty-ninth
secti'ori. "'' ' . '. ' ".'
Mr...CBAMpEBS.Jsit.not perfectly proper
tp commit a report'lo a sele,ct committee?... •
,The:^B.^:sl.BEKr. It is'; or to, re-commit it
to the stancimg comnlitt^e from winch it
emanated. |
