Still, in order to avoid any squabble hereafter
about the construction of Rule 49, I moved
to except Rule 43 from its operation. But
upon the explanation of the gentleman over
the way, (Mr. Clarke, ) I withdrew my
amendment.
Mr. PUGH. I do not doubt the statement
of the gentleman; I know that was what
occurred. But I also know that some mem-
bers who voted against amending the 43d
Rule, did so upon the ground that it could
be suspended by a vote of the majority
present.
Mr. HEBB. I suppose if any member who
voted in the negative upon the proposition of
my colleague (Mr. Thruston,) yesterday,
will move a reconsideration of that vote, this
matter can then be reached.
Mr. KENNARD. Upon a review of this Rule
49, I really must confess that I do not myself
see the necessity of it, considering the pro-
visions we have adopted in previous rules in
regard to their suspension. For instance,
the rules provide for separate readings of re-
ports and resolutions, unless otherwise or-
dered, I therefore do not see the necessity of
this rule, unless it is understood to apply only
to the order of business. It might be modi-
fied to read thus: " Any rule in relation to
the order of business may be suspended when
demanded by three-fifths of the members
present" It would not then conflict with
the other standing rules of the Convention.
I did not myself contemplate, when reporting
this rule, that it should relate to any sub-
stantial rule of this Convention.
The PRESIDENT. The Convention having
refused to reconsider, there is no motion be-
fore the House, and therefore debate is not in
order. Of course this subject will be left to
the determination of the President, when it
comes up properly for his decision.
The question was then stated to be upon
ordering the report of the Committee on
Rules, as amended, to be printed and en-
grossed for a third reading, which was or-
dered.
ORDER OF BUSINESS.
The PRESIDENT stated that the next subject
in order was the report of the Committee on
the Bill of Rights, which came up as the order
of the day.
Mr. CUSHING moved that the order of the
day be postponed until to-morrow, and made
the order of the day for one o'clock,
Mr. BARRON moved that it be postponed un-
it) Monday next, ana made inc order of the
day tor that day at one o'clock,
Mr. DANIEL. I do not see the necessity for
any motion to postpone. If we adjourn now
it will come up to-morrow as unfinished bus-
iness, after we shall have got through the other
regular business. I therefore move that this
Convention now adjourn,
The motion to adjourn was withdrawn at
the request of
9
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Mr. STOCKBRIDGE, who said: I shall move
to-morrow morning to reconsider the vote of
the Convention this morning directing a pay-
ment to be made to a certain page named. I
desire merely to give notice now, in order that
no action may be taken under that. vote.
Mr, VALLIANT. I have a report to make
from the Committee on Reporting and Print-
ing, accompanied by a few orders. I am un-
informed as to when it is the proper time to
send that report up to the desk of the Secre-
tary. I endeavored two or three times yester-
day to present it, but it never was in order.
I would ask if it would now be in order for
me to make this report,
The PRESIDENT. That report is not now in
order. The report of the Committee on the
Bill of Rights is now before the Convention
and some disposition of it must be made, be-
fore any other subject will be in order.
On motion of Mr. DANIEL,
The Convention adjourned.
SIXTEENTH DAY.
SATURDAY, May 21,1864.
The Convention met at 12 M.
Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Owen.
The roll was called and the following mem-
bers answered to their names :
Messrs. Goldsborough, President; Abbott,
1 Annan, Audoun, Baker, Berry of Prince
George's, Billingsley, Blackiston, Briscoe,
Brown, Carter, Chambers, Clarke, Crawford
Cushing, Daniel, Dellinger, Earle, Ecker, Ed-
elen, Gale, Galloway, Greene, Hatch, Hebb,
Hoffman, Hollyday, Hopkins, Hopper, Jones
of Somerset, Keefer, King, Lee, Marbury,
Markey, Mayhugh, McComas, Miller, Morgan,
Mullikin, Murray. Negley, Nyman, Parker,
Pugh, Purnell, Robinette, Russell, Schley,
Schlosser, Scott, Smith of Carroll, Sneary,
Stockbridge, Swope, Thomas, Thruston, Todd,
Valliant, Wickard, Wilmer, Wooden—63.
The proceedings of yesterday were read and
approved.
IMMIGRATION OF FREE NEGROES AND MULATTOES.
The Convention resumed the consideration
of the following order, submitted by Mr.
Clarke, on yesterday:
Ordered, That the Committee on the Legis-
lative Department be instructed to inquire into
the expediency of inserting the following ar-
ticles in the Constitution:
1. No free negro or free mulatto shall come
into or settle in this State after the adoption
of this constitution,
2. All contracts made with any free negro
or free mulatto coming into the State contrary
to the provisions of the foregoing section, shall
be null and void; and any person who shall
employ such free negro or free mulatto, Of
otherwise encourage him or her to remain in
the State, shall be fined in a sum not less than
fifty dollars, nor more than five hundred dol-
lars for each offence. |
