"three thousand dollars," and it was not
agreed to.
The question was then taken upon the mo-
tion of Mr, STIRLING to fill the blank with
''twenty-five hundred dollars, "and it was
agreed to.
Mr. HEBB. I move to amend the clause
which reads: "and of a treasurer to be ap-
pointed by the two houses of the legislature,"
by striking out the word "legislature," and
inserting "general assembly at each regular
session thereof."
The question being taken the amendment
was adopted.
Mr, GALLOWAY. I move to fill the blank
with the words "twenty-five hundred dol-
lars," as the salary of the treasurer.
The motion was agreed to.
Mr. HEBB. I move to insert after the words
"and the qualification of the successor'' near
the close of the section, the following: "but
the comptroller chosen at the first election
under this constitution, and the treasurer
appointed at the first session of the general
assembly held under this constitution shall
not enter upon the discharge of the duties of
their respective offices until the expiration
of the terms of the present incumbents, un-
less the said offices or either of them shall be-
come vacant by death, resignation, removal
from the State, or other disqualification of
the said incumbents or either of them."
Mr. CLARKE. I have no objection to this
amendment, for it carries out pretty much
my idea in reference to all these offices. But
when the question was up before in connec-
tion with another report, the section was
stricken out on the suggestion that the com-
mittee on the schedule would report a pro-
vision retaining all the officers until the ex-
piration of their respective terms, I only ask
whether the vote on this amendment is to be
considered as establishing a principle applica-
ble to all officers. In the report of the committee
on the judiciary there is no provision
continuing in office the present judges. I
think it would be proper to deal with all
these cases upon a common basis.
Mr. HEBB. The only officers to which such
a provision as this could apply, are the gov-
ernor, comptroller and treasurer. We do
not propose to elect any other officers a year
in advance, and the only reason it is proposed
to elect them in advance, is that it is desira-
ble that all State officers should be elected
when the members of the general assem-
bly are elected, and all the county officers
should be elected in the intervening years.
Mr. STOCKBRIDGE. This amendment, if I
understand it, provides that the comptroller
who may be elected In the tall of 1864, shall
not take his office until 1865, a year subse
quent to his election. As the elections fol
low in 1866, 1868, &c., I would ask if this
officer is to continue to be elected & year beforehand?
|
Mr, HEBB. The first part of the section
says he is to be elected whenever members of
the general assembly are elected,
Mr. CUSHING. These officers first elected
under this constitution, hold their offices but
one year,
Mr. STOCKBRIDGE. Does the comptroller
elected in 1864 hold his office one year, and
his successors two years each ?
.Mr. HEBB. Yes, sir.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr. SCOTT. I would call the attention of
the convention to the construction of this
phrase, which I think does not express clearly
the intention of the committee:
' 'And neither of the said officers shall be
allowed or receive any fees," &c.
The intention of the committee doubt-
less was that those officers should not be al-
lowed and should not receive fees, &c.
The CHAIRMAN (Mr. Pugh.) The commit-
tee on revision, if they desire to make it any
more clear can suggest amendments.
Mr. SCOTT. That is all I ask.
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. This be-
ing a very important) subject, which I have
not had an opportunity yet to examine, 1
move that the convention now take a recess.
Mr.. STIRLING. This is word for word from
the present constitution, not the dotting of
an i, or the crossing of a at changed.
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. I will
withdraw the motion.
Mr. KENNARD. I move to amend this sec-
tion by striking out at the end the words
" as the legislature shall prescribe," and in-
serting "as are now or may hereafter be pre-
scribed by law."
Mr. STIRLING. The amendment suggested
by my colleague (Mr. Kennard) is a very
proper one. There are already provisions in
the code upon this subject. The difficulty
occurred from copying in this section the
words in the old constitution.
The amendment of Mr. KENNARD was
adopted.
Mr. KENNARD. I would suggest that the
words "general assembly" should besubsti-
tuted for the word "legislature" wherever it
occurs in this section.
The CHAIRMAN. The committee on revi-
sion can attend to that matter,
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. I move to
amend that portion of this section relating
to the election of the treasurer by the two
houses of the general assembly, by striking
out the words " on joint ballot," and insert-
ing the words ' ' by the concurrent Tots of the
two houses of the general assembly," I offer
that amendment fur this reason: The city of
1 Baltimore. miner lire article on apportion
ment, has been given a very large increase,
- not only in her vote in the popular branch of
s the legislature, but also in the senate. She
will have three senators if this constitution is
adopted, which I trust will not be the case; |
