right that can be averaged out with those
of other citizens. It is the right of each
single individual citizen to be represented
equally in his legislature.
Under this proposal, again, it is being
done with mirrors. It doesn't do what it
purports to do. It, in fact, relegates the citi-
zens who live in small counties to an in-
ferior status in the State of Maryland, by
allowing them to vote only for a delegate
who would cast only a part of a vote, rather
than as every other citizen of Maryland,
voting for a delegate who could cast a full
vote.
No one can predict what a court would
decide on this question, but it seems to me
at the very best that it is of highly ques-
tionable constitutionality.
The amendment wreaks havoc also with
other things that we have attempted to
achieve. This body has agreed that the
House and the Senate should be larger than
the Committee of the Whole. This is the
decision of the body, and I am willing to
accept the decision of the body, but the
body has also kept the 3 to 1 ratio between
House and Senate, and this proposal makes
most difficult the maintenance of that ratio
in the Constitution.
With everything that I can, I sincerely
urge the Committee of the Whole to reject
the amendment.
THE CHAIRMAN: The Chair does not
desire to prolong the discussion to inter-
fere with the lunch hour, but if we are
within a few minutes of a vote, I would
like to take a vote. I would like, therefore,
to inquire now what other delegates desire
to speak on the question. If you will just
stand, I can decide what to do. The Chair
recognizes Delegate Powers, Chairman of
the Committee on Calendar and Agenda.
DELEGATE POWERS: Mr. Chairman,
I move the Committee of the Whole rise
and report that we have not yet concluded
our consideration of the Committee Recom-
mendation LB-I, but we report progress.
THE CHAIRMAN: Is there a second?
(The motion was duly seconded.)
All those in favor, signify by saying Aye;
contrary, No. The Ayes have it. It is so
ordered.
(Whereupon, at 12.'35 P.M. the Commit-
tee of the Whole rose, and the Convention
reconvened.)
(The mace was replaced by the Sergeant-
at-Arms.) |
PLENARY SESSION
NOVEMBER 9, 1967—12:35 P.M.
PRESIDENT H. VERNON ENEY,
PRESIDING
THE PRESIDENT: On behalf of the
Committee of the Whole the Chair desires
to report that the Convention has under
consideration Committee Recommendation
LB-I and desires to sit again.
The Chair recognizes Delegate Soul.
DELEGATE SOUL: I would like to re-
port my presence.
THE PRESIDENT: Delegate Soul,
would you please repeat, sir?
DELEGATE SOUL: I would like to re-
port my presence.
THE PRESIDENT: Do any other dele-
gates present now who were not present
at roll call desire to record their presence?
Delegate Mitchell?
DELEGATE MITCHELL: I would like
to record my presence.
THE PRESIDENT: Say it again, please.
DELEGATE MITCHELL: I would like
to record my presence.
THE PRESIDENT: Delegate Macdon-
ald.
DELEGATE MACDONALD: Mr. Presi-
dent, I would like to record my presence.
THE PRESIDENT: Delegate Barrick.
DELEGATE BARRICK: I would like to
report my presence, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Delegate Gallagher.
DELEGATE GALLAGHER: I should
like to report my presence, and lack of ef-
fectiveness.
THE PRESIDENT: Delegate Pascal.
DELEGATE PASCAL: I would like to
report my presence.
THE PRESIDENT: Delegate Hodge
Smith?
DELEGATE J. H. SMITH: I would like
to report my presence.
THE PRESIDENT: Delegate Singer.
DELEGATE SINGER: I would like to
record my presence.
THE PRESIDENT: Do any other dele- |
