Mr. THOMAS. I am perfectly satisfied from
the explainations made by members of several
committees here, that the committees need
another clerk, and therefore I am prepared to
vote for this order. As to our committee
clerks not attending to their duties, I rather
think they have attended to their duties as
well as the members of this Convention have
attended to theirs. I think those who live in
glass houses should not throw stones.
Mr. TODD. I would like to have this order
amended by adding " the Committee on Fu-
ture Amendments to the Constitution."
Mr. NEGLEY, I will accept the amendment.
I will simply state that this gentleman is very
competent, and I am satisfied will do as much
writing as two ordinary men.
Mr. HEBB. The remarks that have fallen
here from various members of committees
may be considered a reflection upon our com-
mittee clerks. I can only say that I know
that they have been sitting here ready to
work, but with nothing to do. They have
spoken to me several times, and told me they
had nothing to do. For that reason I shall
vote against this order.
Mr. STOCKBRIDGE. I am satisfied that we
now have clerks enough appointed to perform
all the clerical work of the Convention. They
are ready and willing to do the work, but it
may he that. members do not know the com-
mittee clerks when they see them. I am sure
that is the case, for I have heard gentlemen
remark that they had performed clerical
duties for their committees, when in one case
I know that at the very time the gentleman
made the remark, there was a clerk in the
committee room while he was attending to
the duties of clerk himself. It must be that
gentlemen do not know the clerks. I am sat-
isfied if they will inquire they will find the
clerks willing and competent to do all the
work required of them.
Mr. ABBOTT, I hope that no one will think
that I intended to cast any reflection upon any
clerk of our committees. I simply desired to
state that I had not yet seen any of the clerks,
but I supposed they were engaged upon any
committees,
The PRESIDENT. I do not know that it is
the duty of a clerk to attend all the sessions
of a committee, unless be is directed or re-
quested to do so. He is to copy all manu-
scripts handed to him, &c.
Mr. NEGLEY. I am satisfied there is a de-
ficiency of clerical force here. The gentleman
from Baltimore city (Mr. Stockbridge) says
that he considers the clerical force sufficient,
But members should consider that there are
seventeen standing committees, and I do not
know how many outside committees. And I
hold it to he utterly impossible for a man to
be in two places at the same time; and I
cannot conceive how four men can be in seven-
teen different places at the same time. Our
committees generally meet in the early part |
of the day before the session of the Conven-
tion commences. We have but four commit-
tee clerks now, and the old Convention had a
much larger clerical force than that. And I
am sure, from statements made by gentlemen
here, that we need the services of at least
another clerk.
Mr. DANIEL, I will move as an amend-
ment, that the President be directed to appor-
tion the clerks among the several committees.
Then, if it is found that there is any necessity
for more clerks, I will be ready to vote for
their appointment
The PRESIDENT. The amendment the gen-
tleman proposes would be more appropriate
in the form of a substitute. He will reduce
it to writing and submit it.
Mr. THURSTON. I would say, as a member
of the Committee on the Legislative Depart-
ment, that we have had a clerk who has been
very attentive and industrious. It is true 1
have seen committee clerks about here all the
time unemployed, but I am sure it is because
gentlemen do not know who they are. 1
shall vote against this order, because I think
there are already a sufficient number of clerks.
Mr, BRISCOE. I would inquire bow many
committee clerks there are already appointed ?
The PRESIDENT, There are four.
Mr. BRISCOE, It seems to me that these
clerks have not been employed—have bad
nothing to do. I think that number might
be able to go from one committee room to
another, and do all the work of this Conven-
tion, The work here is not like the ordinary
business of the Legislature. Here there are
only a certain number of reports to be made,
while in the Legislature there are generally
from four hundred to five hundred bills to be
drawn every session. And yet the Legislature
has but five or six committee clerks. It does
seem to me that four clerks are sufficient to
perform all the work we require of them. if
it shall be ascertained hereafter that there are
not enough, then we can increase the number.
That is my view of it, though there is such a
variety of opinion about the subject that I
cannot understand exactly bow to vote.
Mr. SCHLEY. It affords me pleasure, as the
chairman of the Committee on the Legisla-
tive Department, to add my testimony to that
of the gentleman from Allegany, (Mr. Thrus-
ton,) and to state that we have a very at-
tentive and industrious clerk, and I think we
have abundant occupation for him, I know
also that there is a general misapprehension
about the clerks here. Those who are here I
am sure have been more employed than the
Convention is aware of; they have been a
great deal employed, it may be that they
have not been constantly and regularly em-
ployed for the reason assigned here, that they
are not known to members of the committees,
but I do think there is occupation enough for
them all, and I am aware, besides, that the
gentleman in whose favor this proposition is |
