is already a growing dissatisfaction among
the people of this State at the dilatoriness
with which this Convention is performing its
labors, and we will add to that feeling, if this
motion prevails. I can conceive no earthly
reason why we should, at this time, be cut
short for one entire week in our deliberations
We are now discussing an important part of
our work. Why not go on with the bill of
rights, and complete it before the time comes
to adjourn over. I think this motion is en-
tirely out of place at this time, and I am
utterly opposed to it.
Mr. STIRLING. I agree entirely with what
the gentleman from Washington county (Mr.
Negley) has said in regard lo this adjourn-
ment. However, what I desire to say is more
for the purpose of clearing my skirts of any
responsibility in this matter, than because 1
think it is going to have any particular effect
upon the result. My friend from Baltimore
county (Mr. Ridgely) urges as one reason for
this adjournment, that the order we have just
now adopted in regard to the printing of our
debates, can be more certainly complied with
by allowing the time which will be given by
this proposed adjournment. I voted for that
order with great pleasure, because I think
our debates have been kept from us too long.
But if that is going to he regarded as the
main object too occupy the attention of this
body; if each individual member is to be
constantly engaged in studying these debates,
in order to lie able to make some reply to
something that has been said here, then this
body will resolve itself into 'a mere talking
machine. Now I think the less we read them
the better; the less we undertake to consider
the elaborate speeches of other members, after
they get in print, and to cook up other
speeches in reply, the faster will the work of
this Convention he performed.
Now what reason is there for this adjourn-
ment? No reason can be assigned except the
mere facet that because of the great interest
taken in the Convention to meet in Baltimore
on Tuesday next, it is probable the tempta-.
lion to be there will be so great that we will
beleft without a quorum. That is the only
practical argument which can be made in
favor of tills adjournment. And so far as
that is concerned, if it is deemed certain that
we cannot get a quorum here on next Tues-
day and Wednesday, then let the Convention
adjourn over. But so far as I am concerned,
1 do think that, considering the dignified pur-
pose for which this Convention is assembled,
it is our duty to stay here, and pay no regard
to the nominating Convention, or any other
kind of Convention. The Congress of the
United States has deliberately refused to ad-
journ over on account of the Baltimore Convention.
I know there is a strong temptation
on the part of many to attend when that Con-
vention is in session; and if that is the case
here, let us yield a part of the time. Why |
cannot we meet here on Monday, and Thurs-
day, and Friday next" Some' of the mem-
bers of this Convention may be obliged to be
absent on Tuesday and Wednesday, and even
after that. But I think this Convention can
get along without them; surely our labors
here are not dependent upon the presence of
half a dozen individuals.
1 say to my friends of the majority of this
house, that if they prepare to adjourn for one
week, they must prepare lo assume a severe
responsibility. There is no doubt that the
people who sent us here, whether a minority,
as the gentlemen on the other side contend,
or a majority of the people of the State. still
the people who sent us here are dissatisfied
with the slowness of progress of this Convention, and
there is no doubt about our work
being belittled before the people, and its ac-
ceptance rendered doubtful, if we turn this
Convention into a machine for talking, and
do not go to work deliberately to do what we
are sent here to do. We have been in session
for five weeks, and we have not yet passed a
positive declaration on the main subject for
which we were sent here. Everybody knows
this is a peculiar season of the year, nobody
wants to sit here during the heat of summer :
it will be almost impossible to keep the Con-
vention here all summer. It is absolutely
practicable for this Convention to terminate
its session by the first day of July, if mem-
bers will but determine that it shall be done,
and will resolve to sit here and do it—and in
my opinion the Convention will deserve the
condemnation of the people, if they do not
terminate its session by that time. I hope
this Convention will not adjourn for the time
it is proposed.
Mr. BARRON. I seconded the motion of
the gentleman from Baltimore county, (Mr.
Ridgely,) and I doit upon a proper basis. I
made a motion last Friday to adjourn 'till
Tuesday; that motion was amended to meet
on Monday; now I was here. in my seat on
Monday, but I noticed that the gentleman
who made the motion to meet on Monday
was not here. We hear a great many buna-
combe speeches about injustice towards the
people—now there is no main here who is not
fonder of work than I am, for God knows I
don't like it. But I noticed that gentlemen
started out here that we should not go to
Baltimore; that we were sent here to do the
people's work; yet some of them have been
away five, six, eight days. Now I don't
blame them: that is all right—and whether
we adjourn or not, I suppose that, being one
of the peers of this house, if I choose I can
stay away a week, and there will not be
much said about it. Now there are many
members here who want to attend the Con-
vention in Baltimore. I want to be there
myself; I am in favor of father Abraham
and I want to be there to see all the log-roll,
ing and wire-pulling, and all about it. Now |
