afternoon. I understand there are several
gentlemen who desire lo make speeches upon
the subject now under consideration.
Mr. STIRLING. I move the Convention now
take a recess until half-past seven o'clock this
evening.
The question was upon the longest time—
the motion to take a recess until half-pas
seven o'clock.
Mr. BILLINGSLEY. I would say that the
opposition, among whom class the honor-
able gentleman from Baltimore city (Mr.
Stirling.) have been so exceedingly cour-
teous, so exceedingly liberal, that I do really
thick we ought to adjourn until to-mor-
row; for if their own feelings and plea-
sure be consulted, I am sure they would
rather not address the Convention this even-
ing. We are all more or less exhausted
by the labors of this morning, and conse-
quently would not form so appreciative an
audience this evening as we would to-morrow
morning. I merely throw this out for their
benefit, to show that we are at least as liberal
in every respect as the gentlemen of the ma-
jority of this body.
Mr. ABBOTT. I understand that some of
the members here are anxious to have are-
cess for a week or ten days, to attend to their
harvesting. And others are anxious that
this question shall be settled before that re-
cess is taken. In order to give all the gen-
tlemen who desire to speak upon this subject
ample opportunity to put themselves upon
the record, I submitted this motion for a re-
cess until half-past four o'clock, hoping that
it will be carried, and that we will resume
evening sessions for a few days.
Mr. STIRLING. I agree with what the gen-
tleman from St. Mary's (Mr. Billingsley) says,
so far as it is applicable to the motion of my
colleague (Mr. Abbott.) I really do think
we have sat here long enough fur one ses-
sion; and I think we have had sufficient ex-
perience in the past to satisfy us that it is not
advisable for us to meet here in the afternoon.
But as we have nothing to do in the evening,
I think we may as well spend an hour or two
here as anywhere else. Many of the mem-
bers come here in the evening any way.
Mr. BILLINGSLEY. I merely made the sug-
gestion out of compliment to the other side.
I am perfectly willing myself to come here
this evening at. three o'clock, or five o'clock,
or seven o'clock.
Mr. SANDS. If we take a recess until half-
past seven o'clock, we would have to meet
here by gas-light, and perhaps with mos-
quitoes. which would be very unpleasent. I
think the best hour would be half-past four
o'clock.
Mr. BERRY, of Prince Georges. We have
been here now since ten o'clock this morn-
ing, engaged in the duties of this Conven-
tion. I think the labors of the day have
sufficiently fatigued us to render it advisable |
to adjourn until to-morrow morning. I have
no doubt that we can accomplish all that is
desired during this week. The contemplated
recess is not to take place until the latter part
of the week, and if that be so, I am sure we
will have ample time, with five hours' session
each day, to allow every gentleman in the
Convention who desires, to express his opin-
ions, and to put themselves upon record, as
the gentleman from Baltimore city (Mr. Ab-
bott) says. It is very warm here now, more
particularly in the afternoon; and we have
recently had some experience in afternoon
sessions. I think that we got barely a
quorum but once or twice during the whole
period we had afternoon sessions. Nothing
was accomplished, scarcely a speech was
made upon the pending question. There was
not that interest manifested at the afternoon
sessions that should be manifested in the dis-
cussion of this question, I hope, therefore,
that the Convention will adjourn until to-
morrow morning at 10 o'clock. We came
here to labor, but we did not come here to
devote all our time day and night to this Con-
vention. Most of us have to prepare our-
selves for these questions that are coming up
for discussion. Most of us want time for re-
flection and preparation, so that we may
come here and speak understandingly upon
the subjects under consideration. I hope,
therefore, this Convention will adjourn until
to-morrow, as I do not see any good to result
from these evening sessions.
Mr. SCOTT. I would say, in explanation of
our want of success heretofore in holding
evening sessions, that we met here under un-
favorable circumstances. We bad agreed to
terminate the discussion and take final action
upon the fourth article at a particular time,
and there was a disposition manifested to
take up no other business. Had it not been
for that order, limiting the debate to a certain
day and hour, we could have forced gentle-
men to speak, however reluctant they might
be to do so, by putting the article upon its
final passage. We could have put it through
at the afternoon session, whether with or
without speaking.
Mr. BOND. If these afternoon sessions are
to be pressed in order to get through with
this question before we take a recess for a
few days, then I would remind gentlemen
that if there is to be a recess so as to enable
the agricultural portion of this Convention
to look after their harvests, it must be taken
within a day or two, or it will be too late;
the harvest will be over before they can get
home. If there is to be such a recess, it
ought to take place some day this week;
within a day or two, I think.
The PRESIDENT. That question is not now
before this Convention.
Mr. BOND. I understand that. But I
speak of it as a resaon against these after-
noon sessions; or rather I refer to it to show |
