tion in the house of delegates. I think it
will create very much surprise, and very
much opposition, in various parts of the
State. I think that it is not just in itself; I
think that it operates upon the smaller coun-
ties especially, very oppressively. I think
that the true basis of representation for the
State of Maryland, for every State must be
governed somewhat by its own peculiar situ-
ation and interests—would be a basis fixed
upon population in the lower house, and
having reward to territory, by having the
counties equally represented in the senate.
This is the view I take of this subject. I
have not given my attention to it very
closely, not expecting until the question was
taken up for consideration to-day, that it
would be taken up so soon. But upon hear-
ing the report read, and with the little reflec-
tion I have been able to give it, these objec-
tions arise upon the very surface. In my
judgment these inequalities exist; and this
injustice will be done, if the convention car-
ries out the report of the committee.
On motion of Mr. KENNARD,
The convention then adjourned.
SIXTY-FIRST DAY.
FRIDAY, July 29,1864.
The Convention met at 10 o'clock, A. M.
Prayer by the Rev. Mr, Owen.
The roll was called, and the following mem-
bers answered to their names :
Messrs. Goldsborough, President; Abbott,
Annan, Audoun, Baker, Barren, Berry, of
Prince George's, Blackiston, Bond, Briscoe,
Brown, Chambers, Clarke, Crawtord, Cun-
ningham, Dail, Daniel, Davis, of Charles,
Davis. of Washington, Dellinger, Dennis,
Duvall, Earle, Ecker, Edelen, Farrow, Gal-
loway, Greene, Harwood, Hatch, Hebb, Hol-
lyday, Hopking, Hopper, Horsey, Johnson,
Jones, of Cecil, Jones, of Somerset, Keefer,
Kennard, King, Lansdale, Larsh, Lee,
Mitchell, Miller, Morgan, Mullikin, Murray,
Negley, Nyman, Parker, Parran, Peter, Pugh,
Purnell, Ridgely, Robinette, Russell, Sands,
Schley, Smith, of Carroll, Smith, of Dorches-
ter, Sneary, Stirling, Stockbridge, Swope,
Sykes, Thomas, Todd, Valliant, Wickard,
Wilmer, Wooden—75.
The journal of yesterday was read and ap-
proved.
ABSENCE OF MEMBERS, &C.
Mr. ABBOTT submitted the following order :
Ordered, That no entry be made on the
journal hereafter expressive of members'
views on subjects acted on in their absence,
unless they have been excused, or give sat-
isfactory reasons for their absence from the
convention according to rules.
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. I think
that order is contrary to all the usages of de- |
liberative bodies. A member may very pro-
perly and necessarily be absent when an
important vote is taken. And I do not think
that any rule should be applied in this con-
vention which is not ordinarily applied in de-
liberative bodies. I therefore move to lay
this order on the table.
The motion to lay on the table was agreed
to.
On motion of Mr. PURNELL,
It was ordered to be entered on the journal.
that if Mr. Purnell, of Worcester county, had
been present when the votes were taken upon
the order submitted by Mr. Hatch, of Balti-
more city, and the order offered by Mr.
Schley, of Frederick county, on Tuesday,
July 19th instant, the order submitted by
Mr. Sands, of Howard county, on Wednes-
day, July 20th instant, and the resolution
offered by Mr. Stirling of Baltimore city, on
Thursday, July 21st instant, with regard to
the disloyalists, he would have voted in the
affirmative upon each of said propositions.
On motion of Mr. GALLOWAY,
It was ordered to be entered upon the jour-
nal that Mr. McComas is absent from his seat
on account of important business connected
with the draft.
Mr. HOLLYDAY asked and obtained leave of
absence from the convention until Wednesday
next.
LIMITATION OF DEBATE.
Mr. CHAMBERS, I gave notice yesterday
that I would to-day move to rescind the
order requiring evening sessions to be held.
I now submit that motion.
Mr. HEBB. Does not the order of the gen-
tleman from Cecil (Mr. Pugh) in rela-
tion to the limitation of debale take prece-
dence, notice of that having been first given?
Mr. CHAMBERS. I do not care about pre-
cedence; takeup that first, if the convention
choose to do so.
Mr. ABBOTT. I am not prepared to vote
for a ten minute rule, unless evening sessions
are to be dispensed with. I would rather
vote first upon the motion of the gentleman
from Kent (Mr. Chambers.)
The PRESIDENT. Under the rules, the no-
tice of the gentleman from Cecil (Mr. Pugh)
comes up now for consideration, being first
in order.
Mr. PUGH, in pursuance of previous notice,
submitted the following:
Ordered, That during the consideration of
the report of the committee on basis of repre-
sentation, each speaker shall be limited to
ten minutes, and the time shall in no case be
extended excepting upon a concurrence of two-
thirds of the members present.
Mr. SANDS moved to amead by striking out
the word "ten" and inserting the word
"fifteen."
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. I thought
the gentleman from Howard (Mr. Sands) |
