Mr. PUGH. I am opposed to the adjourn-
ment, as well as to the postponement of the
order of the day. If there is anything for
us to do, let us go on and do it. So long as
there is a quorum, let us not talk about post-
poning.
Mr BERRY, of Prince George's, submitted
the following amendment:
Strike out the words " Thursday next, 9th
instant," and insert the word's "Monday
next, 13th instant."
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. I think
the reasons for an adjournment until Thurs-
day next apply with equal force to an ad-
journment over the whole of next week.
The gentleman from Carroll (Mr. Smith) de-
sired that the members should be in a proper
frame of mind to discharge their duties here
in the formation of the organic law of the
State of Maryland. I understand that the
Convention of the party to which the gentle-
man belongs is to meet in Baltimore on
Tuesday next. If we are required to return
here on Thursday, I doubt very much whether
we shall be in that state of mind—whether
we shall be either mentally or physically pre-
pared to undergo the labors which we shall
be called upon to discharge; because I have
no doubt that they will be very much fatigued
by the burdens of the sessions of that Con-
vention. If we adjourn until the Monday
following, we shall have a few days respile
from the great charge imposed upon us. We
shall know who is to be the next candidate,
if not the next President of the United States;
and we shall be in a better frame of mind to
return to our duties here as members of this
Convention. Thursday will be near the close
of the week, and if there is anything in the
world pleasant to a man of family, it is to be
at home at the close of the week—I should
like to have been at home to-day—and to
wake up on a Sabbath morning at home. I
like to spend a pleasant Sabbath with my
family; and I have no doubt that other gen-
tlemen like myself enjoy it. I desire there-
fore, although not a member of the Conven-
tion to meet in Baltimore, that we may ad-
journ over the whole week. I shall then he
able to-morrow week to enjoy a quiet Sab-
bath at home, more than any other Sabbath
for the last twelve months
Mr. SMITH, of Carroll. The gentleman
mistakes my position with regard to the Con-
vention in Baltimore. I have no official con-
nection with it.
Mr. SCOTT. I should infer from the re
marks of the gentleman from Prince George's
(Mr. Berry) that he is in some way connected
with that Convention, he takes such a lively
interest in their welfare. I am very glad to
see that he does. Nevertheless, I find myself
obliged to oppose the gentleman's motion
considerate and kind as it is. I would vote
for the original motion, it I was well assured
that there would be no quorum on Monday |
But we are not responsible for other men's
acts. Our business is here, and not in Balti-
more city. Pleasant as it may be to ho at
home on Sunday morning, there are gentle-
men here who cannot be at home on Sunday
morning; and I am willing to enforce the
Democratic rule of placing all upon a level.
My own interests are there, and it is as plea-
sant a place for me as the gentleman's home
for him, I have no doubt. With regard to
the slim attendance here, I presume nothing
will be done but speech making, whether the
House is full or empty. As the gentleman
from Prince George's (Mr. —) very truly
said,—I wish all he said had been as true,—
some of us have come here predetermined to
vote for certain measures; and it is equally
true, undoubtedly, that others of us have
come here predetermined to vote against
them. I presume there will be no converts
made by all the speech-making done; so that
we may just as well keep the House in ses-
sion, and have the speeches delivered to empty
benches, and have them go upon the record
for the benefit of posterity.
Mr. BERRY, of Prince George's. I am not
here expecting to enlighten anybody, but to
receive light from others.
Mr. SCOTT, if my friend is here, he will
receive just as much light if the other benches
are empty as if they were full.
Mr. NEGLEY. The majority of this House
will be responsible for all the delays in the
deliberations of this body. I am unwilling
that the labors of this House, when they are
completed, or as they are progressing, should
receive the opprobrium and reprehension of
our constituents and of the Union people of
the State. I am opposed to our putting our-
selves in that position, to be censured; be-
cause the responsibility is on our shoulders.
The gentlemen of the minority have no re-
sponsibility in that respect. They can say
to their constituents, we are in the minority;
we can do nothing. They may go home and
use this as an instrument to prejudice the
minds of the people of the State against the
adoption of the new Constitution. I hope
that the majority of this Convention will be
very careful indeed in putting themselves
into the predicament of being responsible
for further delay in the deliberations of this
body.
Mr. BERBY, of Prince George's. My friend
from Washington county (Mr. Negley) seems
very careful lest the majority of this House
should lose their popularity with the people
and desires them so to frame their action a
not to meet any sort of criticism from the
people. He assumes the whole responsibility
for the course of action of this Convention
and relieves the minority of responsibility
I do not desire for one to take the responsi-
bility which the gentleman seems inclined to
assume for himself. I willingly accredit it
to the majority; because I think in after |
