128 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Feb. 1,

Jump, Kimmell,	Young— 19.
	NEGATIVE — None.

Mr. Bowie, from the Select Committee, reported a bill en-
titled an Act, to incorporate the Maryland State Agricultural
and Mechanical Association;

Which was read the first time."

Mr. Earle, from the Select Committee, reported a bill, enti-
tled an Act, to compensate Joseph M. Palmer, for services
rendered the State, in the cases of State vs. George Otto and
George Hape;

Which was read the first time, and
Referred to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. Vickers, from the Committee on Judicial Proceedings,
submitted the following report:

REPORT:

To the Honorable the Senate of Maryland:

The Committee on Judicial Proceedings, to whom was re-
ferred the following order:

Ordered, That the Attorney Jeneral be required to furnish
his opinion in writing, on or before Tuesday, January 29, in,
regard to the right of the present City Council of Baltimore,
to appropriate money for the purpose of contesting or resist-
ing the laws of the State of Maryland, as is evinced by their
recent appropriation of $20,000, for said purpose, ana what
steps are necessary to prevent the payment of said appropri-
ation; and also, an amendment to the order, "whether the
State of Maryland is legally liable for any expenses incurred
in the recent removal of the Police Commissioners of Balti-
more city; beg leave to report, that in consequence of the early
adjournment of the Legislature after the passage of the order
referring to them, the above order and amendment; they have
had but a short period of time to examine into the subjects
submitted to their consideration.

The specific object of the appropriation alluded to, is not
defined by the order, but it was stated in debate, to be to fe-
sist in the Courts, the operation and effect of a bill recently
passed by the Senate, repealing a portion of the charter of
Baltimore city, and directing an election on the sixth of Feb-
ruary, for Mayor and City Council.

The power of the Legislature to repeal or alter the city
charter, seems to some extent, involved in the subject; from
the theory of the State Government, and of public or munici-
pal corporations, as connected with it, and the adjudicated
cases in our Appellate Court, we suppose no question of the
existence of the power can be entertained.