whether they shall have unlimited power to
call Conventions, are questions that may
come up hereafter. But whatever mode be
adopted, I want the doctrine plainly declared
that the members of the Legislature shall
stand under the Constitution, and not take
shelter under the retroactive operation of a
vote of the people.
Mr. DANIEL. There was a similar pro-
vision in the old Constitution; that it should
not be amended but in a certain way,
Mr. CLARKE. The members of the Legis-
lature acted as revolutionists.
Mr. DANIEL. I believe revolution is a fa-
vorite doctrine with the gentleman; not se-
cession, but revolution. The people and the
Legislature will again claim the same right
of revolution. I would suggest that when
the article on amendments to the Constitution
comes up for consideration, that is the proper
time for the gentleman to offer amendments,
if he has any. I do not say I am prepared
to vote for the article as reported, nor do I
say I shall vote against it. But I think that
is the proper time and the proper place for
amendments of this kind.
Mr. STIRLING. I shall vote for this amend-
ment, for I think it provides the same guar-
antee already in the bill of rights, but in a
better form, I am perfectly well aware that
whether there is or not any power or right
in this matter, the thing will be done; and
the only way to secure the proper exercise
of the power is by imposing restrictions
upon the Legislature. I am not afraid of
any alteration of the Constitution except
through the Legislature, If the people un-
dertake to assemble in primary meetings
without any call from the Legislature or
the Executive, it will depend entirely upon
whether there are enough people in favor of
it. I want to provide in the Constitution an
easy method of amending the Constitution,
and then I want to confine the Legislature to
that method. I believe this amendment puts
it in a more definite form than the other
proposition does; and I shall vote for it.
The question was upon the amendment of
Mr. CLARKE, to strike out all of Article 44
after the word "That," and insert;
"The Legislature shall pass no law pro-
viding for an alteration, change, or abolish-
ment of this Constitution, except in the man-
ner therein prescribed and directed."
Upon this question Mr. CLARKE called for
the yeas and nays, and they were ordered.
The question being taken, by yeas and nays,
upon the amendment, it resulted—yeas 40,
nays 17—as follows:
Yeas—Messrs. Baker, Barron, Bond, Brown,
Clarke, Cunningham, Cushing, Dail, Davis
of Washington, Duvall, Ecker, Farrow, Gal-
loway, Greene, Harwood, Henkle, Hodson,
Hopkins, Hopper, Horsey, Keefer, Kennard,
King, Lansdale, Larsh, Markey, Mitchell,
Miller, Morgan, Nyman, Parker, Ridgely, |
Schlosser, Scott, Smith of Carroll, Sneary,
Stirling, Swope, Wickard, Wooden—40.
Nays—Messrs. Abbott, Daniel, Earle,
Hatch, Hebb, Jones of Cecil, Jones of Som-
erset, Mullikin, Murray, Negley, Noble, Robi-
nette, Russell, Smith of Worcester, Stock-
bridge, Thomas, Todd—17.
The amendment was accordingly adopted.
The question recurred upon the motion of
Mr. TODD to strike out the entire section.
Mr. TODD. As it seems to be the sense of
this Convention that there shall] be an article
in the bill of rights upon this subject, I will
withdraw the motion to strike out.
The motion to strike out was accordingly
withdrawn.
Mr. BARRON moved that when the Conven-
tion adjourn to-day, it be to meet on Monday
next.
Before the question was taken—
On motion of Mr. CUSHING—
The Convention adjourned.
THIRTIETH DAY.
SATURDAY, June 11,1864,
The Convention met at 10 o'clock, A. M.,
(Mr. Scott in the chair.)
Prayer by the Rev, Mr. McNemar.
The roll was called, and the following
members answered to their names :
Messrs, Abbott, Annan, Baker, Brown,
Clarke, Cunningham, Cushing, Davis of
Washington, Duvall, Ecker, Furrow, Gal-
loway, Greene, Harwood, Hebb, Henkle,
Hopkins, Hopper, Horsey, Jones of Cecil,
Jones of Somerset, Keefer, King, Larsh,
Markey, McComas, Mitchell, Miller, Mullikin,
Murray, Negley, Nyman, Parker, Parran,
Robinette, Russell, Schlosser, Scott, Smith
of Carroll, Smith, of Worcester, Sneary,
Stirling, Stockbridge, Swope, Sykes, Thomas,
Todd, Valliant, Wickard, Wooden—50.
The journal of yesterday was read and ap-
proved.
APPRENTICESHIP OF COLORED MINORS.
Mr. TODD submitted the following :
Ordered, That the Committee on the Judi-
cial Department be instructed to inquire into
the expediency of incorporating into the Con-
stitution a provision making it the duty of
the Legislature to provide by law for the ap-
prenticeship, by courts of competent juris-
diction, of emancipated negroes, who are
minors, so as to better provide for their wel-
fare and preparation for freedom.
Mr. TODD said. I do not deem it necessary
to make any speech explaining the object of
this order. I suppose as a mere matter of
courtesy it will be referred to the appropriate
committee.
Mr. STIRLING. I am opposed to that article.
In the first place the Judiciary Committee has
nothing to do with the subject matter em-
braced in it. If it should go to any com-
mittee, it should go to the Committee on the |
