is treasonable, the remarks of the gentleman
from Baltimore city, (Mr. Abbott), are not in
order. It is the right of each member to
think what he pleases of remarks made here ;
bat it is for the House to determine whether
matter is treasonable or not. Of course the
Chair docs not suppose the gentleman from
Baltimore city intended any reflection upon
the Chair or upon the House.
Mr. ABBOTT. It was not my intention to
offer any insult to the House or to the mem-
bers who see fit to use such language, I un-
derstood the other day that it was the decision
of the Chair that every member bad a right
to characterize the remarks made here, as
they thought proper; and it was not my in-
tention to transgress the rule.
The PRESIDENT. The gentleman must cer-
tainly have misunderstood the Chair, who
stated that no gentleman had a right to use
language reflecting upon other members; but
each member had a reserved right to respond
to remarks referring to him, to decide for
himself as to their character.
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. The gen-
tleman from Baltimore city (Mr. Abbott) has
characterized something said here as treason-
able. Would it be in order for me to demand
of him who used that treasonable language?
Mr. DAVIS, of Charles. If it were in order,
could name both the member and the language.
The PRESIDENT. It is not in order. The
Chair having called the gentleman from Bal-
timore city (Mr. Abbott) to order, will not
permit the discussion to go any further.
ADJOURNMENT UNTIL THURSDAY.
Mr. SMITH, of Carroll, submitted the fol-
lowing order:
Ordered, That when this Convention ad-
journ to-day, it stand adjourned until Thurs-
day next, 9th inst.
Mr. SMITH said: I offer this order in the
belief that the business of the Convention
will not be delayed by its adoption. We
have barely a quorum, and there is a general
impression prevailing in the minds of mem-
bers that the Convention will adjourn this
morning until some day next week, or per-
haps over next week. A number of gentle-
men, members of this body, have official con-
nection with the Convention to assemble at
Baltimore next week, the business before
which is of go important a character as deeply
to interest us all, and perhaps may have an
important bearing upon the future destiny of
this country. I think the minds of members
who may remain will hardly be in that
equable frame which ought to exist in the dis
cussion of the questions before this body. I
am as much in favor of bringing our work to
a close as any one else. I profess myself
heartily tired of this place and of the Con-
vention, being afflicted with a sort of disease
called home-sickness, which I have never got
over since I was a boy. We shall probably |
accomplish nothing by remaining here; for
there will probably not be a quorum on Mon-
day, and all that can be done will be to ad-
journ over from day to day. I think it is
fairer to all concerned to adjourn, and when
we meet again go on with the business regu-
larly.
Mr. DANIEL. For the same reason that I
opposed the motion yesterday, I oppose it to-
day, I know there is complaint of the non-
attendance of members here in the transac-
tion of the important business that devolves
on us. I can see no reason why this Con-
vention is not of as important a character to
the people of Maryland as the Convention
which meets at Baltimore next week. It
certainly is the duty of every member to be
here rather than there. Nevertheless, at the
proper time, if it should seem necessary to
adjourn over a day or two, I do not say that
I should oppose it. At present I am opposed
to any adjournment, and think I shall be
until the Convention adjourns finally. Gen-
tlemen claim that there are questions before
us which will require time for debate. We
have been hereabout five weeks, and we have
not got through with the Declaration of
Rights, I do not say that these questions do
not require deliberate consideration. But
how are we to consider them, if we are to
adjourn ever from time to time, for four or
five days at a time? When will the debate
end? When shall we be able to submit to
the people this Constitution? I say, there-
fore, let us work steadily. If we halve not a
quorum next Monday, let those of us who
want to work come here and teat it. If we
are here ready to discharge our duty, the re-
sponsibility will rest upon those who stay
away and do not come. It seems to me we
ought to have some means of enforcing at.
tendance, that we may go on regularly with
our business. There is soon coming a time,
when it will be more important to adjourn
than now. Two or three weeks hence those
of us who are engaged in agricultural pursuits
will be in the midst of their harvest,
and perhaps no plea for adjournment will
come so strongly as that. In view, there-
fore, of the reasons which may be pressed
upon us hereafter, I say that we ought to
work as steadily as possible for the present;
and I am opposed to all adjournments,
Mr. PUGH. I understood the question to
be upon the postponement of the order of the
day.
Mr. PETER. I think it is due to all the
members of the House that they should have
the advantage, so far as possible, of the ar-
guments which are made; and therefore, the
attendance being so small, hardly a quorum,
I moved the postponement.
The PRESIDENT, The motion wag not
seconded.
The motion was withdrawn, and the Decla-
ration of Rights was postponed informally. |
