We met here as a Convention, strangers to
each other, nearly a hundred men, to become
acquainted with each other. Committees
were to be formed and to meet. Questions
were lo be discussed; and they are discussed
out of the House more than in the House. I
venture to say, that there is not a mess of
boarders in town, where two of our members
are together, that the questions do not come
up how the judges shall be appointed, what
shall be the jurisdiction of the Courts and
other matters which we are to decide. Those
questions are discussed and views are inter-
changed, and they form the foundation of
action here. It takes time for men to argue
upon such questions and ascertain each others
views; and there is a great deal of discussion
in private conversation out of the House,
obviating the necessity of so much discussion
in the House as would otherwise be necessary
It so happens that there is a very exciting
Convention to be held in Baltimore during
the coming week; and a great many gentle
men will feel it to be their privilege to be
there whether this Convention adjourns or
not, I do not see that it is a very unreason
able expectation that they should have the
opportunity to indulge their desire. I have
no desire to be there. I am perfectly willing
to stay here all next week. But I know other
gentlemen will have their convenience and
wishes gratified by being allowed an opportu-
nity to attend there. I am willing to gratify
them. I think it is a reasonable gratification
I am willing to take the responsibility upon
myself. I deny that the majority are respond
sible for these adjournments more than the
minority. I am willing to take our full share
before the people, and let each man answer
to his own constituents and to his own sens
of duty. Whenever a case arises where
member thinks it proper to go or that the
Convention should go, each must determine
that question for himself.
While he is in his seat each member is
obliged to exercise the best faculties of his
mind to serve the people for whom be cam
here, by aiding in the formation of the best
Constitution for the State of Maryland that
he can possibly devise. That is my idea of
the responsibility of members of the Conven-
tion, to their own consciences and their sens
of duty.
I do not believe that on Thursday or Fri
day we shall be likely to have a quorum; an
I think if the Convention is to adjourn at all
it will be better to adjourn to the Monday
following. I am personally willing to take
any day members may select. I do not ex
pect to visit my home in the mean time; an
I am willing to stay here. But I vote for the
adjournment believing that a great man
members have gone away, not expecting
session next week. They have gone to vis
their homes, from which they have been ab-
sent two or three weeks. I think that a rea |
sonable indulgence, I would not serve a
constituency that would grumble at a man's
going home to see his family occasionally, I
do not believe they would, I know that
grumblers exist everywhere. It is constitu-
tional with some men; and if they did not
have something to grumble about, they would
be the most miserable people in the world.
They will find something or hunt up some-
thing to grumble about, in any event. It is
a great relief to them to see the doings of this
Convention in the papers in the morning, for
it furnishes them just what they want—some-
thing to grumble about. I say of them as
the man said of his wife's opinion, it does
not hurt me and it pleases her. I have no
objection to their grumbling to their hearts
content. Let us enjoy the pleasures of social
intercourse precisely as if there were no such
people, for we may be sure it will be a relief
to those who have this unfortunate constitu-
tional disability to be pleased with anything
that comes along, to have something to grum-
ble about.
Mr. CUSHING. As the yeas and nays may
not be called, and I may not therefore have
an opportunity to explain my vote, I am un-
der the disagreeable necessity of saying now
that while I was converted from voting for
the adjournment by one member from Prince
George's, by another member from Prince
George's I am converted back; and I now
intend to vote for tire adjournment until
Thursday.
One word to the gentleman from Prince
George's who said with reference to Balti-
more city, that the minority did not expect
any good out of Nazareth. I remember that
that same thing was said once before, and
that was also said by a minority, the minority
of one man against the Almighty. Perhaps,
for aught he knows, there may come out of
Baltimore city that which may be to the party
that he represents, the same thing that came
out of Nazareth for the Jews, a savior for
them, I will only add a single sentence—
"Jew, I thank thee for that word."
Mr. MILLER. I dislike to say a word upon
the question of adjournment at any time;
but the circumstances under which we meet
to-day induce me to vote for the adjourn-
ment. There is just one member more than
quorum here this morning. Whether we
vote for the adjournment or not, Monday,
Tuesday and Wednesday will find this body
without a quorum. We know perfectly well
that members will leave whether we vote for
the adjournment or not. I will not come back
on those days. When a portion of a delib-
erative body manifest by so large a number
of their members, a disinclination to be
present on particular days or on a particular
occasion, it is always best gracefully to yield
to that disinclination, and not keep a few
members coming here day by day merely for
the purpose of adjourning over for the want |
