Keefer, Kennard, King, McComas, Mullikin,
Murray, Negley, Nyman, Parker, Purnell,
Ridgely, Robinette, Russell, Sands, Schley,
Smith, of Carroll, Sneary, Stirling, Swope,
Thomas, Todd, Wooden—i3.
Nays—Messrs. Abbott, Berry, of Prince
George's, Blackiston, Brown, Chambers, Da-
vis, of Charles, Duvall, Edelen, Hollyday,
Horsey, Jones, of Somerset, Lansdale, Lee,
Marbury, Mitchell, Miller, Parran, Peter,
Stockbridge, Wickard—20.
The amendment was accordingly adopted.
Pending the call of the yeas and nays, the
following explanations were made by mem-
bers as their names were called :
Mr. BRISCOE. As I understand this question
this amendment provides another mode of in-
creasing the representation on a new appor-
tionment. I should like to bear from the
gentleman from Frederick (Mr. Schley) some
explanation of the practical operation of this
amendment.
The PRESIDENT, That cannot be done dur-
ing the call of the yeas and nays, unless by
permission of the convention.
Mr. BRISCOE. If the operation of this amend-
ment ie to affect prejudicially the representa-
tion of my section of the State, as compared
with the western section of the State, or the
city of Baltimore, I want to know it. I should
like to hear some explanation of this amend-
ment.
The PRESIDENT. By general consent the
explanation can be made.
Mr. CUSHING. I object.
Mr. BRISCOE. Then I must ask to be ex-
cused from voting on this question.
The question being taken, upon a division
—ayes 42, noes not counted—the member was
excused from voting,
When the call of ibe roll had been comple-
ted—
Mr. BRISCOE asked to have his name record-
ed in the negative.
Mr. STIRLING. I object. The gentleman,
upon his own request, has been excused from
voting by the convention, and be cannot vote
now.
The PRESIDENT. The gentleman having
been excused from voting, be cannot vote
now upon this question.
Mr, JONES, of Somerset. He can waive the
privilege.
Mr. BRISCOE. It is immaterial whether 1
vote or not.
Mr, JOKES, of Somerset. So far as it is pro-
posed to reduce the number of delegates for
Baltimore city, which I think entirely too
large as reported by the committee, I should
be in favor of it. But because it professes to
regulate the representation solely upon the
white basis, I can never agree to any propo-
sition that has that—1 will not use any epi-
thets—that has that feature in it. I therefore
vote ''no."
Mr. KING. This proposition is not such as |
we want, by any means. I am entirely op-
posed to it; bat it is something better than
that which it follows, and therefore I vote
''aye."
Mr. MILLER. As the gentleman from Som-
erset (Mr. Jones) has said, so far as this de-
creases the number of delegates which Balti-
more city is to have, during the period for
which this arbitrary baais is to operate, I am
in favor of this proposition. But this amend-
ment has never been printed; w& liave had
no Journal embodying it; and from the read-
ing of it merely I cannot anderstand bow it
it is to operate hereafter, with an increased
population in the counties. I cannot give an
intelligent vote at all upon this proposition,
and I therefore vote " no."
Mr. RIDGELY. I shall vote in the affirma-
tive upon this proposition, tor the reason that
it is less objectionable to me than the report of
the committee. But I do not wish, in voting
affirmatively upon this amendment, to be un-
derstood as being committed to vote for the
report of the committee if this amendment
should be adopted. I shall vote against the
whole report of the committee, even though
the amendment be adopted. I offer this as
an explanation of my vote, and as an explana-
tion of the votes of some of my colleagues. I
vote "no."
Mr. STIRLING. I would say that so far as
this amendment stands as an independent
proposition, it does not meet the concurrence
of my judgment. Bat as it harmonizes more-
views of those with whom I generally agree
upon this floor, and practically promotes the
views which I represent, and secures to my
constituents more probably than I think we
are likely to get in any other way, and as I
do not expect to get every thing I want in
this body, I vote "aye.'"
Mr. THOMAS. I have only to say, in ex-
planation of my vote, that I was sent here by
the people of Baltimore to do all in my power
to seccre a representation according to popu-
lation. I do not consider that this amendment
gives to Baltimore city her rights. And yet
I have been assured by members of my own
delegation, who appear to know more about
these things than I do, that Baltimore city can
get no more. I shall therefore be forced to
take what I can get. I therefore give my rote
under proteat, and shall be forced to vote
"aye."
Mr. TODD. For reasons just the contrary
' to those which have been slated by the gen-
tlemen who have last explained their votes, I
shall be compelled to vote "aye." That
may seem like an anomalous proposition.
But I was sent here by my constituents to do
all I could upon this question consistently to
prevent the adoption of a scheme of repre-
sentation upon the basis of population purely.
But as this is a compromise measure, and I
regard it as the best I can get, I shall vote
"aye." |
