Marbury, Mayhugh, Mitchell, Miller, Morgan,
Negley, Nyman, .Parker, Parran, Peter,
Sands. Smith, of Carroll, Smith, of Dorches-
ter, Swope, Sykes, Todd, Turner—38.
Nays—Messrs. Abbott, Annan, Audoun,
Barron, Brooks, Carter, Cunningham, Cush-
ing, Daniel, Davis, of Washington, Earle,
Ecker, Galloway, Hatch, Hebb, Hopkins,
Hopper, Keefer, Kennard, Markey, McComas,
Mullikin, Murray, Pugh, Purnell, Robinette,
Russell, Schley, Schlosser, Stirling, Stock-
bridge, Thomas, Wickard—33.
The order as amended was accordingly
adopted.
Pending the call of the yeas and nays, the
following explanations were made by mem-
bers as their names were called :
Mr. ABBOTT. Believing this to be a matter
with which this convention has nothing in the
world lo do, I vote "no."
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. Believing
this to be in keeping with precedents estab-
lished by this convention, I vote "aye."
Mr. KENNARD. Believing that the informa-
tion desired can be had, and ought to be had,
without recourse to the means proposed, I
vote "no."
Mr. NEGLEY, Believing it is the duty of
each citizen of the State to see that justice is
done to every citizen of the State; believing
that it is right that this information should
be had, and that Marylanders should look af-
ter Maryland interests, I vote "aye."
Mr. STIRLING, I am perfectly willing to
make proper inquiry of the government in
regard to this matter. But as I conceive it
is an utter usurpation of power on the part
of this convention to undertake, over the
heads of State authorities, to correspond with
the authorities at Washington in regard to
this matter; and as I think the gentlemen
interested in this proposition refused a fair
compromise, I take great pleasure in voting
"no."
Mr. SANDS. I should like to understand
from the gentleman (Mr. Berry, of Prince
George's,) who offered the order, whether
this committee is to correspond with the gov-
ernor of Maryland or with the President of
the United States? I have voted "aye," be-
cause my impression was that the committee
was to correspond with the governor. If
that is so, then my vote shall remain as it is.
If it is to correspond with the President, then
I shall change my vote, as I believe the mat-
ter to be peculiarly appropriate to the gov-
ernor of the State.
Mr, BERRY, of Prince George'?. My object
was to ascertain the proper authorities, and
then correspond with those in authority.
''Mr. STIRLING. It says "authorities in
Washington."
Mr BERRY, of Prince George's. No, sir; it
says "proper authorities."
Mr. SANDS. I merely wish to say that if
the committee is to correspond with the gov- |
ernor; I shall vote for the order very cheer-
fully. But if it is with the President or with
any federal authority, then I shall vole "no."
if the gentleman who offered the order will as-
sure me that the committee is to correspond
with the governor, my vote shall remain as
it is.
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. It says "to
correspond with the proper authorities."
The PRESIDENT announced the vote to be,
yeas 38, nays 33.
Mr. STIRLING. Has the vote been read over
by the secretary?
The PRESIDENT. The assistant, secretary
informs me that the roll has been read over
by him.
Mr. STIRLING. I think the secretary is mis-
taken. I do not think the roll has been read
over since the vote was taken.
The PRESIDENT. The chair will direct the
roll to he read over again.
Mr. CHAMBERS. By what authority is that
order made ?
The PRESIDENT. There seems to be some
misunderstanding as to whether the roll baa
been called off properly. And the chair has
directed the secretary—
Mr. CHAMBERS, I ask under what rule that
is done?
The PRESIDENT. The gentleman from Kent
(Mr. Chambers) is out of order.
Mr. CHAMBERS. I say the chair is out of
order.
The PRESIDENT. The chair was announcing
what had been done, and before be bad con-
cluded, the gentleman from Kent interposed,
in which he was out of order.
Mr. CHAMBERS, The president has authori-
ty, I know, but it is authority to enforce the
rules. :
The PRESIDENT. And the president will
see that the rules are enforced; he will com-
pel the enforcement of them, if he has any
power in this body. The president called
upon the clerk for the purpose of ascertaining
whether the roll had been read over, being
under the impression that the roll had not
been read. The clerk informed the president
that it had been read over, and thereupon
the president announced the vote. There
seems, however, to be some misunderstanding
on the part of several members of the conven-
tion in regard to the subject, and the president
will therefore direct the roll to be read over
again. There can be no barm done. . The
trouble has occurred only from the interposi-
tion of the gentleman from Howard (Mr.
Sands,) who asked several questions of the
gentleman from Prince George's (Mr. Ber-
ry, ) after the vote had been taken but be-
fore it had been announced. If gentle-
men will just be quiet, and interpose at
the proper time, there will be no difficulty
about the matter. The president will take care
hereafter that the rules are strictly enforced.
While gentlemen are walking all about |
