[Dec. Rights 10] MARYLAND MANUAL 365
Art. 10. That freedom of speech and debate, or pro-
ceedings in the Legislature, ought not to be impeached in
any Court of Judicature.
Art. II. That Annapolis be the place of meeting of the
Legislature; and the Legislature ought not to be convened,
or held at any other place but from evident necessity.
Art. 12. That for redress of grievances, and for amend-
ing, strengthening and preserving the Laws, the Legis-
lature ought to be frequently convened.
Art. 13. That every man hath a right to petition the
Legislature for the redress of grievances in a peaceable and
orderly manner.
Art. 14. That no aid, charge, tax, burthen or fees ought
to be rated or levied, under any pretense, without the con-
sent of the Legislature.
1Art. 15. That the levying of taxes by the poll is griev-
ous and oppressive, and ought to be prohibited: that pau-
pers ought not to be assessed for the support of the govern-
ment; that the General Assembly shall, by uniform rules,
provide for separate assessment of land and classification
and subclassifications of improvements on land and person-
al property, as it may deem proper; and all taxes thereafter
provided to be levied by the State for the support of the gen-
eral State Government, and by the Counties and by the City
of Baltimore for their respective purposes, shall be uniform
as to land within the taxing district, and uniform within
the class or sub-class of improvements on land and personal
property which the respective taxing powers may have di-
rected to be subjected to the tax levy; yet fines, duties or
taxes may properly and justly be imposed, or laid with a
political view for the good government and benefit of the
community.
Art. 16. That sanguinary Laws ought to be avoided as
far as it is consistent with the safety of the State; and no
Law to inflict cruel and unusual pains and penalties ought
to be made in any case, or at any time, hereafter.
Art. 17. That retrospective Laws, punishing acts com-
mitted before the existence of such Laws, and by them only
declared criminal are oppressive, unjust and incompatible
with liberty; wherefore, no ex post facto Law ought to be
made; nor any retrospective oath or restriction be imposed,
or required.
1 Thus amended by Chapter 390, Acts of 1914, ratified November 2, 1915.
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