we can become so streamlined that we lose
the vitality that comes from participation
of elected officials in government.
After having studied the figures which
I think the Committee studied of our
neighboring states and the various states
in like circumstances to Maryland, I have
become convinced of the appropriateness
of the Committee's recommendation. New
York, with a population of nearly 17 mil-
lion people, has only a total representation
in both House and Senate of 208 persons.
California, with 15, nearly 16 million
people, has a total representation of 120.
Ohio, with nearly 10 million citizens has a
total representation of 132. Our neighbor-
ing State of New Jersey, with 6 million,
has only 120 elected representatives in both
bodies.
When we look at those states which have
a total population nearer Maryland, 3 mil-
lion or thereabouts, we find that Kentucky,
with 3 million, has a total representation
of 138; Minnesota, with 3,400,000, or
rather, Minnesota, of course, has a larger
representation of 202; Georgia, with 4
million, has a large representation; but
Louisiana and Alabama and Kentucky are
all scaled down from 144 to 138.
I would respectfully suggest to the dele-
gates that the experience of the other
states seems to sustain the position of the
Committee recommendation. While I am
for keeping the vitality of the government
through the maximum participation of the
people through elected officials, nevertheless
I think in the interest of doing the kind of
job that we want to do in Maryland we
ought to support the Committee's recom-
mendation.
THE CHAIRMAN: I take it you are in
opposition to the amendment?
DELEGATE MITCHELL: Yes. 1 spoke
in opposition to the amendment.
THE CHAIRMAN: In view of that fact,
I will ask if any other delegate desires to
speak in favor of the amendment.
Delegate Grant.
DELEGATE GRANT: I would like to
point out one thing. We have had a great
deal of comment about the Committee com-
promise. 1 attribute to them all good faith.
However, I would point out that on this
Committee of 19 people 13 came from
urban areas, only six from non-urban areas,
and as such they may not have been ex-
posed to quite the extent of viewpoint that
other members of this Committee of the
Whole have been. |
I think this factor should be borne in
mind to a certain extent in considering the
compromise the Committee arrived at.
THE PRESIDENT: Does any other dele-
gate desire to speak in opposition?
(There was no response.)
Does any other delegate desire to speak
in favor?
(There was no response.)
If not, the question arises on the adop-
tion of Amendment No. 7 to Committee
Recommendation LB-I.
A vote Aye is a vote in favor of Amend-
ment No. 7. A vote No is a vote against
Amendment No. 7.
Cast your vote.
Has every delegate voted? Does any dele-
gate desire to change his vote?
(There was no response.)
The Clerk will record the vote.
There being 65 votes in the affirmative
and 68 in the negative, the motion is lost.
The amendment is rejected.
Is there any other amendment to be of-
fered to section 3.04?
Delegate Malkus, do you have an amend-
ment?
DELEGATE MALKUS: Mr. Chairman,
I would like to ask if the Chair will yield
to a question?
THE CHAIRMAN: State your question.
DELEGATE MALKUS: Talking about
efficiency, when did we reach, as far as
time is concerned, the point of diminishing
returns? The hour is growing late. Some of
us are a long way from home.
THE CHAIRMAN: The Chair would
hope to adjourn as soon as we finish section
3.04. If there are no further amendments
we are at that point now.
Delegate dark.
DELEGATE J. CLARK: Mr. Chairman,
I have an amendment here, it is rather com-
plicated, but I think this is the time it
should be offered. It is probably going to
take a good while to do it.
THE CHAIRMAN: Section 3.04?
DELEGATE CLARK: Yes, sir. |
