system we may not pet anybody to take care
of the roads at all. I vote " no."
The amendment was accordingly rejected.
Mr. PUGH. I move to amend by striking
out the words "and constables" in the second
line, and all after the word "counties " in the
third line. My reason for offering that as
an amendment, is to meet the views of the
gentleman from Harford (Mr. Galloway,)
with which views I heartily coincide. I
think there is not, at least' so far as my
experience has gone, any road system which
needs Improvement so much as the road sys-
tem of tire State of Maryland. My amend-
ment is simply to provide for the appointment
of road supervisors. The section will then
read simply:
"Section 5. The general assembly shall
provide by law for the appointment of road
supervisors in the several counties."
Mr. DANIEL. I rise to a point of order;
that we have just passed upon the question of
striking out " constables," upon the motion of
the gentleman from Washington county (Mr.
Davis.)
The PRESIDENT. That was an amendment
to an amendment, and was therefore a differ-
ent proposition.
Mr. HERB. I ask for a division of the ques-
tion. I am in favor of striking out "and con
stables" and opposed to striking out the latter
part of the section.
The question being taken on the first branch
of the amendment, to strike out the words
"and constables ' ' in tire second line, the first
branch of the amendment was agreed to.
The question being taken on the second
branch of the amendment, to strike out all
after the word "counties" in the second line,
the third branch of the amendment was re-
jected.
On motion of Mr. HEBB,
The words "and constables" were also
stricken out in the 4th line.
Mr BELT I think cone of the abuses of the
present system can be avoided by omitting
all reference to the election districts, I know
that in some election districts the roads re-
quire more care than in others, I move
therefore lo strike out the words "in the
several election districts," in the 4th line.
As the section now stands the number of
supervisors in the several election districts is
to be determined by the county commission-
ers, with the further condition that their pow-
ers and duties shall be similar throughout
the State. The question might arise, in the
minds of these local authorities whom we
call county commissioners, whether they
ought not to appoint the same number in
every di strict. I wish to give them the
power of appointing whatever number the
wants of the county require, and let the
people of the counties! take care to have them
properly apportioned. I wish to avoid tine
necessity that election districts having little |
necessity for these officers, should have the
same number as others that require them.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr, SCHLEY. I move to amend the section
by striking out the words " throughout the
State, " at the end of the section.
Mr. EDELEN. I suggest to the gentleman
to strike out all after the word commissioners,
in the sixth line. The evident sense of the
convention is to permit this whole subject
with reference to the roads of the several
counties, and the several county boards, to
come under the direction and supervision of
the legislative department of the State. I
think the latter clause of this section con-
flicts with the general idea the convention
seems to entertain on the subject, if the
design and intention is to allow the legisla-
ture through the instrumentality of the
county boards to create one system for Charles
county,, and another system for Frederick.
county, it seems to me that we should leave
the legislature free and untrammelled to reg-
ulate all the details upon this subject, because
it will be apparent to anybody that a system
good for my county perhaps will not answer
for Frederick or Allegany, or some counties
the Eastern Shore.
Mr. SCHLEY. I will accept the amendment,
because I think that language is superfluous
and move to strike out all after the word
"commissioners," in the sixth time
Mr. VALLIANT. What is the subjection to
the words " but the tenure of office shall be
uniform? "
Mr. SCHLEY. Tiny are unnecessary.
Mr. EDELEN. if we are not going to have
a general law why nut have a system in
Talbot county, and one in Charles county,
differing in all these details? What will be the
advantage or necessity of having the tenure
of office uniform, if we are not going to have
a similar system in other respects fur the
whole State?
Mr. SCOTT, The amendment of the gentle-
man from Charles (Mr. Edelen) is so similar
to one I had drawn up myself, that I am not
disposed to vote against it. There is no im-
propriety in making the tenure of office uni-
form throughout the State; and I will offer
my proposition as an amendment to his, to
strike out all after the word "uniform," in the
seventh line.
Mr. SCHLEY. What does the gentleman
mean by the expression that the tenure of
office shall be uniform? Does be mean uni-
form as to its duration ?
Mr. SCOTT. That is all it can mean.
Mr. SCHLEY. Uniform as to duties?
Mr. SCOTT. No, sir; powers and duties
are embraced afterwards; and I propose to
strike that out. The propriety of my motion
will appear to anybody who considers the
variety of soil and pursuits in different parts
of the State. Some places are so level, and
are travelled so little, that roads can be easily |
