Now the proposition is to go further, an
having adopted a principle, to tinker up the
basis of representation just to suit localities
and make it popular here and there. If the
gentleman from Baltimore county can in an
way satisfy me that, under the rule adopted
here, his county is entitled to this additional
representative, I will vote to open the report
That is the only ground upon which I vote
for the amendment giving a member to Ken
county, that it was actually entitled, by if
population, according to the rule, to have
two members. I am not now satisfied of that
so far as regards Baltimore county; and
therefore vote " no."
Mr. DENT said: When I voted for the sus-
pension of this same rule a short time ago
1 did so under the impression that I was
opening the matter to any amendment that
might be offered, not supposing it was con
fined to the special amendment indicated by
the gentleman from Kent. But since it ap-
pears that it is necessary to suspend in order
to move any and every amendment that
requires a special motion, I shall vote against
any further suspension, unless it have a general
application to other amendments to be
offered on the same subject. I vote " no."
Mr. MCCOMAS said: I voted "no" upon
the last proposition, because I was opposed
to any departure from the principle estab
lished in the bill. I shall vote "aye " upon
this, because the convention, by a large ma-
jority, has concluded to depart from the prin-
ciple established. I do nut see why Kent
county should have two delegates for 7,000,
and Baltimore county six delegates for 46,000.
They are both agricultural districts, under
the same circumstances. There may be jus-
tifiable grounds for discriminating between
the city and the counties, but I see none for
discriminating between counties. I vote
" aye."
Mr. RIDGELY. As one of the delegates
from Baltimore county, I will say a word in
reply lo the question' asked here by the gen-
tleman from Anne Arundel (Mr. Miller,) why
Baltimore county refused eight delegates
upon the theory of representation suggested
by the other side of the house, but went for a
proposition which reduced the amount of her
delegation, and now asks for an increase of
her delegation. I have but a very short answer
to make to that, and it is this: Timeo Danaos
el dona ferentes.
Now, sir, in relation to the remark of the
gentleman from Prince George's (Mr.Clarke,)
who suggested as a reason why he should
discriminate and give an additional member
to Kent county and refuse it to Baltimore
county, that he had been assured by the
declaration of some member of this house
that there was a sufficient population in Kent
county to bring it within the rules, I ask him
as a lawyer, whether, in the course of his
professional career, he ever permits himself |
d to be assured by declarations founded upon
e mere judgment, of any fact?
s, Mr. CLARKE. As the gentleman has put
e the question—
y SEVERAL MEMBERS. Order; order.
d The PRESIDENT. The chair cannot permit
1 discussion,
Mr. RIDGELY. I desire to say that I vote
d for the proposition now before the house
t upon this theory—1 want to explain my
s vote—that the strict operation of the rule ex-
e eluded my county from another delegate, and
, also excluded Kent; and what is fish for one
'•. is flesh for the other.
The PRESIDENT. The gentleman appears
- to be transcending the rule, to state concisely
the reasons for his vote. The chair cannot
s permit discussion at this stage of the case.
t Mr. CLARKE. When the vote is over, 1
- hope I shall be permitted to make a personal
explanation.
Mr. BELT. I move that the gentleman be
permitted —
The PRESIDENT. It is not in order now.
Mr, RIDGELY voted "aye."
Mr. SCHLEY said: When the question was
up before, I voted " no," because I believed.
this was wrong. I have not changed my
opinion in that respect; and therefore I again
vote "no."
Mr. THOMAS said; I desire to say in expla-
nation of my vote, that when I cast my vote
in favor of Kent county having an addi-
tional delegate, I did it in good faith; and 1
did it with the understanding that it was to
be a compromise between those two sections ;
and that while this convention would give to
Kent county her rights, they would not refuse
to Baltimore county, the largest county in the
State, hers. But, to my utter surprise, I find
that gentlemen have gone back from their
promises.
The PRESIDENT. The gentleman is not in
order.
Mr. THOMAS. I am trying to explain my
vote; and I am opposed to this more es-
pecially as gentlemen of the majority of this
house have given to the minority one more
delegate, and have refused to give the ma-
jority one more delegate that they are
entitled to receive. I think it is no more
than just and right that Baltimore county
should have an additional delegate. She
gets but six delegates for 46,000 souls —
Mr. CLARKE. I call the gentleman to order.
Mr. THOMAS. I am explaining my vote. 1
say that Baltimore county is more entitled to
seven delegates than Kent county to two. 1
voted for two tor Kent county; and I vote
for Baltimore county to have an additional
delegate as a compromise. I therefore vote
"aye."
The rule requiring a three-fifths vote, the
motion was rejected,
Mr. STOCKBRIDGE. I ask permission to
move to strike out " 19 " and insert "80." |
