Amend section 13, by striking out in line 9, from the word
'Act," to the end of the section.

Which were severally read and adopted.
Said bill as amended,
Was then ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

Mr. Carroll asked and obtained leave of absence for three
days.

On motion by Mr. Earle,

The Senate took up for consideration the House bill enti-
tled an Act to provide for the renewal of certain bonds and
certificates of indebtment of the State already due and others
falling due in the year 1870.

Said bill being upon the third reading,
Mr. Earle submitted the following amendment:

AMENDMENT PROPOSED.

Strike out all after the enacting clause, and insert the fol-
lowing :

A bill entitled an Act-to create a loan to provide for the
payment of the overdue debt of the State, and for that por-
tion of the debts of the State now approaching maturity.

WHEREAS, there is at this time bonds and certificates of
debt of this State overdue, and others approaching maturity
at an early day, amounting in the aggregate to nearly two
and a-half millions of dollars, nine hundred eighty-eight
thousand, six hundred and twenty-two dollars, ($988,622,)
of which said debt having been due since 1865; and whereas,
not only justice to the holders of this debt demands that the
same be promptly redeemed, but the honor of the State and
her true interest manifestly require that provision be made
on the best possible terms for the consolidation of these debts,
and their prompt liquidation ; therefore,

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That a loan be, and the same is hereby created, to be
called "The Maryland State Loan," not to exceed two mil-
lions four hundred thousand dollars, or so much thereof as
may be necessary, bearing an interest of six per centum per
annum, payable semi-annually on the first days of January
and July in each and every year, said loan to be exempt from
State, county and municipal taxation, and redeemable at the
pleasure of the State in fifteen years from the date of its
issue.

Sec. 2. And be it enacted, That the Governor, Comptroller,
and Treasurer are hereby authorized and directed to have the