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Has every delegate voted?
Does any delegate desire to change his
vote?
(There was no response.)
The Clerk will record the vote.
There being 113 votes in the affirmative
and 9 in the negative, the motion is carried
and the schedule of legislation is adopted
on third and final reading.
The Chair would like to confer with the
two Vice Presidents at the rostrum.
(The Convention suspended for a, few
minutes.)
THE PRESIDENT: This is the final
vote. The question now arises on the adop-
tion on third reading and final passage of
the entire document consisting of the pre-
amble, each of the ten articles, the schedule
of transitional provisions, and the schedule
of legislation.
This is the final vote on the entire docu-
ment, preamble, all ten articles and the
schedule of transitional provisions and the
schedule of legislation.
Is there any discussion?
Delegate Dorsey.
DELEGATE DORSEY: Mr. President,
I realize that the dance is almost over and
far be it from me on this wintry night to
delay the sweet refrain of "Home Sweet
Home."
I realize that this Convention has put a
draft in this document. I realize the great
work that you have done, Mr. President,
but yet I feel that it represents a new move
in government in Maryland.
I know it may be heresy to say a kind
word for the old Constitution, yet I feel
that it is a document which embodies the
wisdom and the experience of good govern-
ment in this State for the past century.
What we are doing is casting aside that
document in its entirety for a new docu-
ment which takes new paths.
You say we have a stronger executive, a
stronger legislative body, a strong judici-
ary. That is all true, but you are creating
bodies further removed from the people
than they were under the old Constitution,
and in this day, when the burden of taxa-
tion rests so heavily on all state govern-
ments throughout the nation, the cost of
this new draft has never even been
estimated.
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Mr. President, as much as I dislike to, I
shall cast my vote against the new consti-
tution. I do not want to close without pay-
ing my regards to you. When I came here I
knew that you were one of Maryland's
great lawyers. Tonight I can truthfully say
that you are the the greatest Marylander
I have ever had the privilege to know.
(Constitution Convention rose and ap-
plauded.)
DELEGATE DORSEY: Mr. President,
let me add that the 142 members who com-
prise this body are the most conscientious
and dedicated group that I have ever known
to gather in this historic building. As I
say it, sir, it is with reluctance that I vote
against this document realizing the great
effort that has been put into it, but the
final vote rests with the people of Mary-
land and whether it is adopted or not. I
feel that the work here and the work that
was done by the commission prior to the
meeting of this Convention will not be lost
because I feel that it will be a reference
work in the reform of government in this
State for the next century.
THE PRESIDENT: Is there any fur-
ther discussion?
(Call for the question.)
Are you ready for the question?
The question arises on the adoption on
third and final reading of the entire con-
stitution and accompanying schedules in-
cluding the preamble, article 1 to 10 inclu-
sive, the schedule of transitional provisions,
and the schedule of legislation.
A vote Aye is a vote in favor of the
entire document. A vote No is a vote
against the entire document.
Cast your vote.
(Whereupon, a roll call vote was taken.)
THE PRESIDENT: Has every delegate
voted?
Does any delegate desire to change his
vote?
(There was no response.)
The Clerk will record the vote.
(The Convention arose and applauded
amidst a flurry of confetti made by the
pages from surplus copies of delegate pro-
posals, committee memoranda, et cetera).
THE PRESIDENT: The Convention
will please come to order.
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