sent here without any limitation of time, to
discuss important questions touching the fu-
ture government of the State of Maryland.
It is on all occasions to be witnessed that
some individuals are very anxious to press
business through. Those generally who are
not speakers themselves, and who seem to be-
lieve that no information can be communi-
cated by those who do speak, they are, there-
fore, anxious to shorten debate. But that is
not my view, and I do not think the Conven-
tion as a body should sanction that idea. We
are here not only for the purpose of commu-
nication to the members of this body, who
are to act primarily on the Constitution, but
we must at the same time bear in mind contin-
ually, or else in my judgement a false view of
the subject is taken, that there are others to
act upon this Constitution—that it is to be
submitted to the mass of the voters in the
State for confirmation or condemnation.—
Now, I hold that every member who enter-
tains the idea, however vain it may be, that
he can enlighten the members of this Conven-
tion, or the community outside of the Con-
vention, is entitled to the opportunity to pre-
sent such views as he may think calculated
to accomplish his purpose, and I do not think
it is exactly proper that that disposition
should be smothered by these continual at-
tempts to prevent full discussion in this House.
We began by limiting speeches to an hour.
Now such a question as this cannot be dis-
cussed by any man in an hour. I heard Mr.
Webster discuss this question, and he was as
able a debater as any in this country, and as
able to condense his views as any man, yet
he made no attempt to discuss this subject in
the Senate of the United States in an hour.
Nor did Mr. Hayne, his adversary, attempt to
do so. I was present at the time and heard
that discussion. We adopted the hour rule
here, and then after a speech or two comes a
proposition to shut out all debate on this sub-
ject, by calling the previous question. Then
we have a proposition for an afternoon ses-
sion. And now my friend before me (Mr.
Stockbridge) brings forward a further propo-
sition to stop all debate this afternoon.
I know there are several gentlemen here
who desire to be heard upon this subject.
And although a member of the committee,
and considering myself entitled to be heard
I had not proposed to debate this question
until everybody else had spoken who desired
to speak. It may, perhaps, be better for the
Convention to avoid the opportunity, of hear-
ing me speak, and to shut out everybody
else from speaking. But I speak now as
much in behalf of others as of myself. I do
think the majority of this body are urging
this question of expedition beyond any rea-
sonable extent. And I shall be very happy
if I can persuade them that such is the case
and that this subject should be discussed to
the fullest extent. As the gentleman from |
Baltimore city (Mr. Barron) says, with great
liberality, let every thing be said on this sub-
ject that can be said; keep nothing back from
the public, I do hope gentlemen will per-
ceive that they are carrying this matter of
restraint beyond the proper limit; and that
they will not further attempt to tie down
those who desire to express their views upon
this subject.
Now, in order to test the sense of the Con-
vention, whether they will meet the view of
the subject I have presented, I move to lay
this order on the table.
Mr. STOCKBRIDGE. I hope the gentleman
from Kent (Mr. Chambers) will withdraw
that motion for a moment.
Mr. CHAMBERS, I will withdraw it, to al-
low the mover of the order an opportunity to
reply, if he will renew it,
Mr. STOCKBRIDGE. I will renew it, though
of course I shall vote against it.
The motion to lay on the table was accord-
ingly withdrawn.
Mr. STOCKBRIDGE. I desire to say in reply
to the gentleman from Kent (Mr. Chambers,)
as I said when I offered this order, that I do
not do it for the purpose of stifling debate
upon this question. But I considered it due
in fairness to the members of the Convention
on all sides, that there should be an under-
standing as to the time at which debate should
close upon this article, and the vote betaken.
There are members of this Convention who
may be absent, if they do not know when the
vote will be taken. Yesterday, most unex-
pectedly to all of us I am sure, the previous
question was demanded. If no order like
this be adopted, the previous question may
be demanded at some other time When gen-
tlemen are absent from this Hall, and it may
be ordered by this Convention. I thought it
but just and proper that a distinct under-
standing should be had that at some time,
fixed and agreed upon on all sides, this de-
bate should be closed, and the vote taken. I
did not know who of the Convention desired
to discuss the question; but I designed to
give sufficient time for them all to be heard.
if five o'clock to-day is too soon; then make
it twelve o'clock to-morrow, or five o'clock
to-morrow, or twelve o'clock day after to-
morrow. Fix upon a time so that all can
speak who wish; but I do hope that some-
thing embodying the principle contained in
this order will be adopted by this Conven-
tion, in order that those who desire to vote
on this question may know the time when it
will be necessary for them to be in attendance;
and if they wish to hear the debate, they will
know when to attend for that purpose,
As I promised, I now renew the motion to
lay on the table, designing to vote against it.
On this motion, Mr. MARBURY called the
yeas and nays, which were ordered.
The question being then taken, byyeas and
nays, resulted—yeas 36, nays 46—as follows: |
