SATURDAY, February 26, 1870.
The Senate met pursuant to adjournment.
Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Southgate.
Present at roll call the following Senators :

Messrs. President, Browne, Carroll, Clarke, Fields, Hen-
kle, Henry, Hyland, Jump, Kimmel, Maddox, Malone, Par-
ker, Sellman, Stephenson, Timmons, Welch—17.

The Journal of yesterday was read and approved.
On motion by Mr. Browne,

Leave of absence was granted to the Senator from Queen
Anne's until Monday next.

On motion by Mr. Malone,

Leave of absence was granted to the Senator from Prince
George's until Tuesday next.

On motion by Mr. Stephenson, it was

Ordered, That the Committee on Judicial Proceedings be
directed to inquire and ascertain whether there is any mode
prescribed by the Constitution or statutes, by which vacancies
occurring in the Boards of County Commissioners can be
filled ; and if there is none, to report a bill providing for the
filling of such vacancies.

On motion by Mr. Stephenson,

Leave was granted to Senators Stephenson, Clarke and
Browne to report a bill to incorporate the proposed White
Hall and Pennsylvania Line Railroad Company.

Mr. Henry presented the petition of H. C. Elliott and 81
other citizens of Dorchester county, praying the passage of a
law for the better protection of fish in the Choptank river and
its tributaries

Which was read and referred to the Senators from Dor-
chester, Wicomico and Caroline counties.

Mr. Henkle, from the Committee on Internal Improve-
ments, to whom the leave was granted, reported a bill enti-
tled an Act to add an additional section to Article 77 of the
Code of Public General Laws, entitled "Railroads."

Which was read the first time.
Mr. Malone, from the Select Committee to whom the leave