before been decided by the Convention. Now
I submit the question, is it competent, is it
proper for the same thing to be brought up
over and over again, except on a motion to re-
consider? If that is according to parliamentary
practice in order, I see no end to our deliber-
ation; for the same questions can be brought
up again and again, ad infinitum, to the exclu-
sion of our regular business, I know there is
no specific rule to prevent it, as printed; but
is it parliamentary law? I raise that point of
order.
The CHAIRMAM, (Mr. Purnell.) The Chair
is under the impression that the point of order
is not well taken.
Mr. MILLER moved to lay the motion to
amend upon the table, but withdrew his mo-
tion at the request of
Mr. PUGH, who said: This may as well he
settled finally by a vote. I only wish to ex-
plain the vote that I shall give. I have voted
pretty steadily, I believe, in favor of altering
the rule. I voted in the first place in favor of
an amendment which struck out the latter
portion of it. I may be under a misapprehen-
sion; I may misunderstand what my duty is
here, as one of the majority of this Conven-
tion. As one or two of my colleagues seem-
ingly entertain different views, I think it
important, especially as the subject has been
so frequently discussed, and such frequent al-
lusions have been made to those who have
taken the course that I have pursued, that I
should explain my position.
It has been said here repeatedly that this
Convention has met for a very serious purpose,
and in very serious times. Under these cir-
cumstances the minority have conceived it to
be their duty to claim all the rights to which
minorities are entitled; and to demand, I
think, rather more than minorities according
to parliamentary usage are entitled to. I
admit, sir, that these are serious times. I
admit there never did assemble in the State of
Maryland a body before whose deliberation
there have been placed more important sub-
jects than will be placed before this deliberative
body. I admit that these are terrible and dis-
astrous time, and that under these circum-
stances ought to demand and ought to have all
the rights to which they are entitled.
But admitting these things, what then? If
it be true that in deliberating upon this im-
portant subject in this important time, it is
important for the minority to look out for their
interests and maintain their rights, how much
more important is it that the majority of this
Convention, sent here by a majority of the
people, should look out for the rights of the
majority and protect their interests, which they
were sent here by their constituents to defend.
These are some of the reasons why I think
the majority will act properly in not tying
their hands in this manner or in any other
manner.
At the same time that I defend my position |
as being supported by that view, I wish to
state that it is my intention as one of the ma-
jority to accord to the gentlemen of the oppo-
sition all the time for dehate that they require.
All that they of right could come here as a
minority and ask, that shall always receive
my cordial support. I have not taken the
position I have indicated from any want of
courtesy to them, but as a serious matter of
duty. I do not say that this question has
arisen in the course of the business of the
Convention, allowing us clearly that the posi-
tion the Convention have taken is a. wrong
one. I do not say that we may not remain
here and pass every article in the Constitution
by 49 members of this body. But I do claim
that we, as a majority of this body, are dere-
lict to our duty, to our constituency, and to
ourselves, in relation to the important meas-
ures which may be brought before us in these
awful times, if we detract one iota from the
power which has been given to us to come
here and do our duty, I do not say that we
shall diminish our power if we maintain this
rule; but for fear that we shall, I intend to
vote so as to leave to those in whose hands it
belongs the power of making a Constitution
for the State of Maryland in spite of the op-
position which has been sent here. At the
same time that I claim that right for 'the ma-
jority, and claim that they shall exercise it,
and by my vote shall assist them in exercis-
ing it—
The CHAIRMAN, (Mr. Russell,) interrupted
the debate with the announcement that the
hour had arrived for the consideration of the
order of the day, the Declaration of Rights
Mr. CLARKE. Have not the majority elect-
ed 61 members to this Convention.
Mr. PUGH. Yes sir.
Mr. CLARKE. Having 61 members, if they
fail to get 49 votes will they not fail to dis-
charge their duty to their constituents ?
Mr. PUGH I have thought the matter over,
and am ready to answer the gentleman. I
can conceive of circumstances in which the
action of this body may be delayed and totally
stopped by the minority, under this rule
Mr. CLARKE. Unless there is a division of
opinion on the part of the majority or a fail-
ure on their part to perform their duty, will
they not have full power to give a majority
vote of 49 upon any question that comes up ?
Mr. PUGH. I will answer the gentleman's
question by asking another. Has the gentle-
man never heard of such a thing as balance of
power ?
The CHAIRMAN, (Mr. Purnell.) This de-
bate is not in order. The order of the day
has been taken up.
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's, moved the
postponement of the consideration of the
order of the day for half an hour.
Mr. PUGH. I have no more to say, if I can
be permitted to answer one point which has
been taken repeatedly. |
