1004 JOURNAL OF PEOOBEDINGS [Mar. 25,

to which he is fairly entitled. No honest man would refuse
to pay what he knew was the fair cost of a building, simply
because the architect had ignorantly estimated the probable
expense, before its commencement, at a lower sum than its
actual cost. Such a man would be availing himself of a
technicality to keep back the fair wages of his neighbor.
Surely the State should be unwilling to adopt another rule
of morality; and yet the case supposed, would be a far
stronger one against the State than that under consideration,
for Mr. Black never was called upon to enter into a contract
to build the House; never was furnished with estimates of
cost, and never, as he solemnly avers, supposed for a moment
that the building could be erected for seven thousand dollars,
when all who have examined the plans and specifications,
declare that they call for an expenditure of nearly seven
thousand dollars for materials alone.

Signed,

GEORGE WELLS, JR.
Which was read.

Also, reported a bill entitled an Act to appropriate a sum
of money to pay William Black for the purchase of a lot and
erection of a stable and carriage-house thereon for the State
of Maryland, in the City of Annapolis.

Whfch was read a first time.
On motion of Mr. Wells,

The majority and minority reports of the Committee on
Public Buildings, including the bills, were ordered to be
printed.

The Secretary of the Senate delivered the following Joint
Resolutions in relation to the alleged indebtedness of the Bal-
timore and Ohio Railroad Company to the State of Mary-
land.

Which were read a first time and referred to the Commit-
tee on Ways and Means.

On motion of Mr. Merrick, (the rules being suspended,)

The House proceeded to the consideration of the bill enti-
tled an Act for the support pf Government for the year end-
ing the first day of January, eighteen hundred and seventy-
two.

Said bill being upon a third reading,

The bill was then read a third time.

On motion of Mr. Merrick,

A call of the House was ordered.

Present at the call of the roll, the following members :