many. But the more one studies it, as I
have, after first reflection, one recognizes
that it has inherently within it a goodly
number of elements to keep the status quo
exactly as it is.
THE CHAIRMAN: There is slightly
less than three minutes of uncontrolled de-
bate left. Does Delegate Pullen desire to
speak in favor of the amendment?
DELEGATE PULLEN: Yes.
THE CHAIRMAN: Proceed.
DELEGATE PULLEN: I intended to
vote for this because it seemed to me to be
a deliberate attempt to keep government
close to the people. The essence of democ-
racy lies in settling our problems locally
and knowing the people we vote for.
1 testify after over three decades of con-
tact with the legislature that 150 nor even
180 representatives do not frighten me be-
cause I have always known what was going
on and they were pretty generally courteous
and kind and considerate. I think we are
dealing here with some mathematical fig-
ures that really do not mean too much.
THE CHAIRMAN: Does any other dele-
gate desire to speak in opposition to the
amendment?
Delegate Murray?
DELEGATE E. C. MURRAY: Mr.
Chairman, it is unthinkable that in rem-
edying one inescapable situation we will
leave about one-third of our counties with-
out representation in a foreseeable time. 1
do not know that the bill on the floor is an
answer. I certainly doubt that it is an an-
swer. But I make this as a general state-
ment that I do not think we can, while
this is a part of our responsibility, cure
one evil and dare go home creating and
leaving the other in existence.
THE CHAIRMAN: The Chair will rec-
ognize Delegate Gilchrist to speak in favor
of the amendment for the remaining time
which is one minute.
DELEGATE GILCHRIST: Thank you,
Mr. President. I should like to comment
only on a couple of things mentioned in the
course of the debate. One is the mention
of the warfare between the House and the
Senate. I suggest there is no more warfare
inherent in this proposal than in the other.
In fact, I suggest that cutting to 105 pro-
duces far more warfare than this.
I suggest if the Senate and the House |
of Delegates cannot get along between
themselves with respect to this, they can-
not get along between themselves with re-
spect to the other.
They have the job of reapportioning
themselves and properly so. They have the
job of policing themselves. They have the
job of trying to create that which they
started to create last year under a reappor-
tioned legislature.
It was our feeling in the legislative
branch that we were trying to strengthen
the legislature of the State of Maryland.
I do not believe you can strengthen it at
the expense of either branch. To suggest,
as the proposal does, that we eliminate a
few senators and a great many delegates
does nothing toward strengthening the
legislature.
THE CHAIRMAN: The time has ex-
pired. Time for debate having expired, the
question arises upon the adoption of the
first portion of Amendment No. 5 to Com-
mittee Recommendation LB-I, the first por-
tion being lines 8 to 17 and the first two
words of line 18. A vote Aye is a vote in
favor of the adoption of that portion of
the Amendment No. 5. A vote No is a vote
against.
Cast your votes.
(Roll call)
THE CHAIRMAN: Have all delegates
voted? Does any delegate desire to change
his vote?
(There was no response.)
The Clerk will record the vote.
There being 58 votes in the affirmative
and 78 in the negative, the motion is lost.
That portion of the amendment is rejected.
Does Delegate Gilchrist, in view of the
action on the first portion of the divided
question, desire to withdraw the second
portion?
DELEGATE GILCHRIST: At this time
I will withdraw the second portion of the
motion.
THE CHAIRMAN: The second portion
of the divided question having been with-
drawn, the amendment fails.
That concludes consideration of the mi-
nority reports with respect to section 3.04.
Section 3.04 is still before you for further
amendment if there is any further amend-
ment. |
