Mr. PUSH. 1 thought that applied only to
the report on the legislative article ?
Mr. EDELEN. I think the chair will re-
member that when a proposition of this
kind was made by the gentleman from How-
ard (Mr. Sykes,) he ruled that it would re-
quire a motion to reconsider.
Mr. HEBB, This is not a rule, but a mere
order of the house. Of course it is compe-
tent for the convention to pass another order,
• Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. The ob-
ject can be reached by reconsideration.
Mr, HEBB. We do not wish to reconsider
the former order limiting the time to thirty
minutes. We wish to pass another order
relating to this particular question of repre-
sentation. And if it interferes with the for-
mer order, it will take its place to that extent.
These are not standing rules.
Mr. STOCKBRIDGE. The former order may
be found on page 216 of the journal,
[July 7.]
" Ordered, That the time allowed each
member for debate on any question before
the convention, be limited to fifteen minutes ;
that no extension of time be granted except
by a vote of two-thirds of the members
present."
On the next page it will be seen that the
order was amended by striking out "fifteen"
and inserting " thirty." It was divided and
adopted in that amended form.
Mr. CUSHING. If we change the hour of
meeting from 10 o'clock to 9 o'clock, should
we have to reconsider ?
The PRESIDENT. No, sir.
Mr. CUSHING. Then why should we be
obliged to reconsider to change the time for
speaking 7
Mr. SANDS. I move to strike out " ten"
and insert " fifteen." I think "we have con-
sumed more time than was necessary in the
discussion of many matters. I think if ever
a minority in any legislative body in the
world, bad little cause to complain, those
gentlemen who constitute the minority here
are that minority. So far as I have witnessed
the action of the majority, it has invariably
been courteous, liberal and kind. We shall
earnestly endeavor to continue so. I am
one of those who declared originally for full,
free, and unrestricted debate. I do not
any more think that lull, free, and unre-
stricted debate consists in a, two hours' speech
than I believe free speech is slander. The
time which may,be fixed for the discussion of
the matter before the body, is that period of
time within which there may be full, and free,
and fair discussion. Does not the gentleman
see that any rule which is adopted here binds
me as well as it binds him; I ask nothing at
all for myself more than I am willing to
accord to any gentleman. I would be a
party to the requirement of nothing more
for the majority than I would be perfectly
willing to grant to the minority. All that I |
ask is that minority and majority, as to
rights and privileges, shall occupy an equal
position.
As to gectlemeu feeling that they are
stifled, and feeling compelled under that sti-
fling process, as they call it, to withdraw
from the?e halls, that is a question
wholly and solely for them. I have nothing
to do with it. The responsibility will not be
upon me, but upon them. That considera-
tion therefore will not govern me in my vote
.upon this question.
1 only wish to say to them that I believe
the interest of their constituents as well as
my constituents requires that this body
shoald conie to a close of its labors as soon
as possible, ia order to get to that common
close. They cannot say at all, in any event,
that we put any shackles upon them which
we do not at the same time impose upon our-
selves. We acted under, and shall continue,
if left alone, to act under precisely the rule
that those gentlemen would net uider by this
resolution. And I should not fe<ir the ver-
dict of that great jury, the people, upon
such an indictment as that.
1 only wished to say these two things,
that 1 considered it my duty for one to get
to the end of the business of this convention
as soon as possible; and that in order to do
so I would ^impose on no genileman what
1 do not impose upon myaelf; and that
these considerations will govern me entirely
in my vote upon the question without regard
to anything else.
Mr. BKBRT, of Prince Qeorge'i. 1 cannot
see that there is a courtesy due from those
who are speaking to the listener. 1 always
heard the reverse; that it was the duty in all
regulated bodies for the membeiS of the body,
UTiless 6OBie imperative u^^essity required
them to leave the body, to remain and give an
attentive listening to the p^rty who might be
occupying the attention of the house at the
time. The gentleman speaks of our having
been here three months. Does the gentleman
recollect that nearly three weeks of that time
there was a recess had upon vote of this
lJUuac? Do^a lie rcmombov that for anollapr
week the president and mvselfwith other
members were here to attend to the duties of
this convention, when the gentlemen bad all
skedaddled ?
Mr.Pnon. Icall the gentleman's atten-
tion to the fact that 1 was here at least one
day of that week when the gentleman was
not here—Monday.
Mr. BKRRY, of Prince George's. 1 started
from home but could not get here. 1 started
about daybreak and tried to get to Washing-
ton Monday morning, but did not succeed ;
and then on Tuesday morning 1 started at
2 o'clock so as to be here Tuesday morning
at the meeting of the convention. 1 reached
here and found the president and a few mem-
bers, I think eight—nine—eleven. We were |
