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tion, and if it decides to recommend to the
people any such revisions, that proposal
will have to be ratified by the voters, just
as ours will have to be ratified by the
voters on May 14.
Therefore, there are more than adequate
safeguards built in to this procedure, and
I submit that in order to give this measure
of government to the people it is essential
for us to support this amendment.
DELEGATE JAMES (presiding): The
Chair recognizes Delegate Boyer.
DELEGATE BOYER: Mr. President,
this is exactly the same type of initiative
that we acted upon, heard arguments pro
and con on yesterday, and substantially
and roundly defeated. May I give you in
quick staccato style, seven good reasons
why this also should be defeated?
First, there is already adopted a manda-
tory provision for calling the convention
every twenty years if desired by the peo-
ple. Secondly, there is a control of the
legislature already by the electorate.
Third, there is a danger of initiative peti-
tion such as this being started and con-
trolled by special interest groups. Fourth,
the shortened constitution that we are evi-
dently adopting here is a good, streamlined
constitution which leaves the details as
such to the legislature. Therefore, I do not
think the calling of the convention for
change is absolutely necessary in initiative
proceeding.
Fifth, it is well established that a prop-
erly proportioned legislature is to be
trusted to reflect the demands of the peo-
ple, and they have the right in our Con-
stitution to call such a constitutional con-
vention. Sixth, I think the unified control
of drafting of written law should remain
in the legislature. Seventh, I feel that the
initiative of calling a constitutional con-
vention has already been voiced by this
Convention, and I think for consistency's
sake, if nothing else, we again should de-
feat the initiative. Lastly, the right of the
people is retained to pass upon the calling
of the Constitutional Convention, and thus
you cannot go wrong when you leave it in
the hands of the people.
I would urge the defeat of this amend-
ment.
DELEGATE JAMES (presiding): The
Chair would like to speak a moment before
calling for the previous question.
Delegate Linton called to the Chair's at-
tention that Miss Shelby Carey of Charles
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County, Governor of Girls' State, Miss
Teenage Maryland, is here to present pic-
tures to Governor Agnew. She is here in
the gallery with her parents and brothers.
(Applause.)
DELEGATE JAMES (presiding): The
previous question has been moved.
All in favor, say Aye; opposed, No. The
Ayes seem to have it. The Ayes have it.
The question now arises on the adoption
of Amendment No. 9 to Committee Recom-
mendations GP-7, GP-8, GP-9, GP-12,
R&P-1 and LB-3 as amended by the Style
Committee Report S&D-17.
The Clerk will ring the quorum bell.
Delegates will record their vote.
(Whereupon a roll call vote was taken.)
Delegate Boileau.
DELEGATE BOILEAU: Mr. President,
thank you 'again for giving me this op-
portunity to speak before the body. I vote
Yes.
DELEGATE JAMES (presiding): Dele-
gate Boileau votes Yes.
Has every member recorded his vote?
The Clerk will record the vote.
There being 72 votes in the negative and
28 in the affirmative, the amendment fails
for want of a majority.
Delegate Marion, do you wish to offer
your amendment? This is Amendment K.
The pages will distribute Amendment K.
This will be Amendment No. 10.
Point of inquiry: Has the electronics
staff been working on your button, Dele-
gate Boileau?
DELEGATE BOILEAU: I do not know,
Mr. President. It still does not work too
well.
DELEGATE JAMES (presiding): Has
Amendment K been distributed?
I have been advised the amendment has
not returned from the print shop as yet
to distribute sufficient copies.
We will proceed to another amendment
and come back to that when copies arrive.
Amendment G? Delegate Weidemeyer,
do you wish to offer your Amendment G?
DELEGATE WEIDEMEYER: I do,
Mr. President.
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