promptly distribute the same among the peo-
ple, the copies to be furnished by the con-
tractor for printing the same within one week
after the final adjournment of this conven-
tion."
Mr. VALLIANT. It seems to me that the
pamphlet form is decidedly the best form for
the distribution of the new constitution. If
distributed in sheet form, they will not be
preserved longer than the first week; while
if distributed in pamphlet form, every man
will like to be in possession of a copy of the
constitution, although every man does not like
to incur the expense of paying for it, 'So that
if printed in pamphlet form they will be much
more likely to continue in the possession of
the people of the State.
As to the cost there will be no material dif-
ference. If there is any it will be very trifling
indeed. And the distribution can be made in
the form prescribed by the gentleman. I see
no reason why we should print it in newspa-
per form, when we can print it in pamphlet
form, suitable for preservation, at the same
cost, or very nearly the same.
Mr. WICKARD. I think that 5,000 German
copies will not be sufficient. I move to increase
the number to 10,000.
The amendment was agreed to.
The question recurred upon Mr. STOCK-
BRIDGE'S amendment, and it was agreed to—
ayes 40, nays 21.
The order as amended was agreed to.
RECALL OF CONVENTION.
The convention proceeded to the consider-
ation of the following resolution submitted by
Mi. ABBOTT on Saturday :
Besolved, That in view of the uncertain
condition of affairs in this State, owing
to the possibility of an invasion by the
public enemy, which may interfere with the
expression of the popular will on the day to
be fixed for voting on this constitution, that
this convention, when it adjourns without
day, will be adjourned subject to the call of
the president, and in case of the death or dis-
qualification of the president, (H. H. Golds-
borough,) Frederick Schley, of Frederick
county, Joseph B. Pugh, of Cecil county,
Henry Stockbridge, of Baltimore city, Wm
T. Purnell, of Worcester county, be and the
are hereby authorized, in the order in which
they are named, to act as president, and call
the convention together."
Mr. ABBOTT modified his resolution so as to
read:
Resolved, That in view of the uncertain
condition of affairs in this State, owing to the
possibility of an invasion by the public ene
my, which may interfere with the expression
of the popular will on the day to he filed for
voting on this constitution, that this conven
tion when it adjourns, for the purpose of tak-
ing the sense of the people on this constitu
tion, stand adjourned, subject to the call of |
the president, and in case of the death or dis-
qualification of the president, (H. H. Golds-
borough,) Frederick Schley, of Frederick
county, Joseph B. Pugh, of Cecil county,
Henry Stockbridge, of Baltimore city, Wm.
T. Purnell, of Worcester county, be and they
are. hereby authorized, in the order in which
they are named, to act as president, and call
the convention together; but should the day
appointed for the adoption or rejection of this
constitution pass without interruption, then
the president shall declare, through the pub-
lic press, the final adjournment without day
of this convention.
Mr. RIDGELY. What effect will that have
upon the question of the per diem of mem-
bers? Would members draw their per diem
for the interim ?
Mr. CUSHING. It would cease on the ad-
journment.
Mr. RIDGELY. But the convention does not
adjourn. It is still a convention. It is doubt-
ful, in my mind, whether there would not be
such an obligation to pay members; although
I have no idea that that formed any part of
the gentleman's intention.
Mr. ABBOTT. No, sir. I will add the words,
"and no per diem shall be allowed for the
recess "
Mr, DENNIS. I confess that I do not see
clearly the reason for this. The resolution
as it now stands differs from the form in which
it was originally submitted. I feel some cu-
riosity to learn from the gentleman from Bal-
timore who offered this resolution (Mr. Ab-
bott,) how it was that we could adjourn sine
die subject to a future call. But that part of
it is changed.
Mr. ABBOTT. The resolution was drawn
up very hastily.
Mr. DENNIS. It is to be hoped that such a
resolution as that was drawn hastily. But
as it now stands I do not understand why
this body should continue in session. The
legislature meets, performs its work, and ad-
journs subject to the constitutional limita-
tions and provisions. The convention which
has met here has been in session for four
months performing its work, made its consti-
tution, printed it in the English, German,
High Dutch and Low Dutch, and put it before
the people; and yet it seems that this body
is still to be continued, cui bono? Why is it
to be continued? Is it on account of inter-
ruption on the day of taking the vote? What
kind of interruption? Where is the inter-
ruption? How it is to take place? Is it to
be from a foreign enemy, of from a domestic foe?
Is it to be from rebels abroad or from traitors
in our midst? Is it to be from a drunken
spree? Or what is to be the interference
which is to require six, eight, or a dozen
gentlemen seriatim to be authorized to call
the convention together again? And when
called together again, for what purpose is it?
To revise and amend the new constitution |
