been indefinitely postponed, it was not now
competent to move to reconsider.
Mr. MILLER moved to reconsider the vote,
by which the consideration of the motion to
reconsider (Debates page 50) was indefinitely
postponed.
The PRESIDENT overrilled the motion.
Mr. VALLIANT inquired if his appeal was
in order.
The PRESIDENT ruled the appeal out of or-
der.
Mr. VALLIANT appealed from that decision.
Mr. CHAMBERS, (by general consent) said:
I should be pleased to have the proposition
made by the gentleman from Talbot, (Mr.
Valliant) divided. Let us take a vote on
the subject of adjournment simply. There
are many of us here who suppose that an ad-
journment is to take place, but not knowing
at what period, would be much convenienced
by the information at as early a day as prac-
ticable. Same of us may have appointments
at home to make, and would be much grati-
fied to be permitted now to say at what time
they may expect to be there to meet those ap-
pointments. Then let those who wish to
move the Convention to Baltimore settle that
among themselves. Others of us have no
interest in that whatever.
Mr. VALLIANT. I think there will be no
objection to dividing the question. My ap-
peal is upon this ground. The Chair having
decided my proposition out of order, because
substantially, the same proposition bad here-
tofore been determined by the Convention,
and a motion to reconsider made and indefi-
nitely postponed,—
THE PRESIDENT. The Chair has not decided
that point. The Chair decided that it was
incompetent for the gentleman from Talbot
to appeal at this time, having withdrawn his
appeal, and there having been intervening
business.
Mr. CLARKE moved to adjourn.
The motion was rejected.
Mr. DANIEL moved to reconsider,
The PRESIDENT ruled the motion out of or-
der, an appeal bring pending.
Mr. VALLIANT withdrew the appearl.
Mr. DANIEL. I move to reconsider the vote
taken deciding against moving to Baltimore.
The PRESIDENT ruled the motion out of or-
der.
Mr. DANIEL appealed.
The PRESIDENT. The proper mode to re-
consider is to reconsider the motion to post-
pone indefinitely.
Mr. DANIEL. I withdraw the appeal and
make that motion.
Mr. BERRY, of Baltimore county. The gen-
tleman moves to reconsider a motion for in-
definite postponement. " A motion to post-
pone indefinitely is of American origin, and
peculiar to legislative assemblies of this coun-
try, in which it is used as an adverse motion
to reject or suppress, and with the same ef- |
fect." In the House of Representatives in
Congress, it is provided by rule that when a
question is postponed indefinitely, it shall not
be acted on again at the same session. In
the absence of any specific rule, we are to be
governed by legislative practice. It is the
practice of the highest legislative body in
this country that a motion to indefinitely
postpone prevailing, it cannot be reconsid-
ered during that session of the. legislative
body.
Mr. BARRON. I am satisfied that we arein
the majority in this Convention. If all these
reconsiderations are out of Older, please tell
us, Mr. President, whit is in order. Let us
have a vote on some question or other,
Mr. SANDS. On the morning after this
motion lo reconsider was made, I recollect
distinctly that the gentleman from Baltimore
city, (Mr. Stockbridge) moved to amend the
Journal so that it should read that Mr. Stock-
bridge moved that the consideration of the
subject should be indefinitely postponed. I
at once reminded the gentleman that the
subject had not been postponed, but the mo-.
tion had.
Mr. STOCKBRIDGE. By referring to the Re-
ports of the Debites and Proceedings, page
51, members will find exactly what passed
on that occasion.
Mr. STIRLING. I submit that it makes no
difference whether the motion to reconsider,
or the motion on the amendment, was indefi-
nitely postponed. It is the ordinary rule of
parliamentary law that the indefinite post-
ponement of an amendment carries the whole
subject. If an amendment is pending. and
it is laid upon the table, the original motion
goes with it, and there is no possibility of
get ing at it separately; and so the motion
to indefinitely postpone, an amendment car-
ries the whole subject with it. ex necessitato
The PRESIDENT. There is a motion and an
amendment pending, and a motion to post-
pone that motion indefinitely. Of course it
carries the amendment with it. How can
the Convention arrive at the original proposition
without first talking up the amendment?
And how can they reach that at all without
first reconsidering the motion to postpone in-
definitely.
Mr. DANIEL. I am convinced looking
at the Journal that that is correct; and I
withdraw the motion.
COMPENSATION FOR SLAVES.
The following resolution, submitted by Mr.
CLARKE, on Tuesday last answered the second
time:
Resolved, That a select committee to con-
sist of nine members, of which committee the
President of the Convention shall be chair-
man, be appointed by the Chair, whose duty
it shall he to confer with the President of the
United States, our Senators and Representatives
in Congress, and the appropriate com-
mittees of Congress, to ascertain and report |
