1868.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 23

Honorable Body to open the returns of the election for Gov-
ernor of Maryland, this day at 2 o'clock P. M. in the Hall
of the House of Delegates, in the presence of both Houses,
agreeably to the requirements of the Constitution of the
State.

By order,

MILTON Y. KIDD,

Chief Clerk.

Which was read, assented to, and sent to the Senate.

Mr. Mullin (the rules being suspended,) submitted the fol-
lowing order:

Ordered, That the Committee on Ways and Means be and
they are hereby instructed to inquire into the advisability of
amending Section 2 of Article 81, of the Code of Public Gen-
eral Laws, so as to abolish the tax on mortgages, and that
they report by bill or otherwise ;

Which was adopted.

The Secretary of the Senate delivered the following mes-
sage :

BY THE SENATE,

January 7, 1868.
Gentlemen of the House of Delegates :

In order to secure harmony of action and facilitate legisla-
tion, we respectfully request, with the concurrence of your
Honorable Body, that the committees on Education, of the
Senate and House of Delegates, shall sit as a joint committee
for the purpose of considering and reporting a law to estab-
lish an efficient system of Free Public Schools throughout the
State.

By order,

H. DAVIDSON,

Acting Secretary.

Also the following message :

BY THE SENATE,

January "7, 1868.
Gentlemen of the House of Delegates :

We respectfully propose, with your concurrence, the ap-
pointment of a joint committee, consisting of three members
of the Senate and four members of the House of Delegates,
to visit and examine into the condition of all the benevolent
and reformatory institutions which are beneficiaries of the
State. We have named upon the part of the Senate Messrs.
Smith, Denson, Hammond.

By order,

H. DAVIDSON,

Acting Secretary.
Also the following :