136 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [Jan. 23,

the House passed on the 16th inst., respectfully report that
they have had the same under consideration, and, after the
best reflection they could give the subject, fail to perceive why
such a bill as is contemplated by said order would not fall
within the prohibition contained in section 59 of the 3d
Article of the Constitution, which declares "the Legislature
shall pass no law establishing any general pension system
within this State." Such a law would, in the opinion of
your committee, be clearly unconstitutional and void.

They therefore respectfully ask to be discharged from the
further consideration of the aforesaid order.

Respectfully submitted,

C. S. KEECH,

Chairman.
Which was read and adopted.

Mr. Nicolai submitted the following Joint Resolutions :

Resolved, by the General Assembly of Maryland, That a
joint committee of two members of the House and one of the
Senate be appointed, who shall have authority to procure a
life-size portrait of his Excellency, Thomas Swann, Governor
of Maryland, to be placed in the Executive Chamber.

Resolved, That the Comptroller of the Treasury be, and
he is hereby authorized and directed, upon the order of the
committee above named, to issue his warrant upon the
Treasurer of the State for the cost of said portrait, not to
exceed in amount the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars.

Which were read a first time.

Mr Bond, Chairman of the Committee on Colored Popula-
tion, reported favorably

A bill entitled an Act to amend Article 60 of the Code of
Public General Laws, by adding thereto an additional section
relating to the marriages of people of color.

Which was read a first time.

Mr. Mitchell, Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary,
reported favorably

A bill entitled an Act to make valid the levy of the State
tax made by the County commissioners of Allegany county.
for the year 1867.

Which was read a first time.

Mr. Offutt, Chairman of select committee, reported fa-
vorably

A bill entitled an Act to repeal the 39th section of Arti-
cle 15 of the Code of Public Local Laws entitled Montgom-
ery county, relating to the number of Justices of the Peace