1874.] OF THE SENATE. 356

On motion by Mr. Knight,

Leave was granted to Messrs. Knight, Longwell and
Brewer to report a bill to add an additional Article to the
Code of Public General Laws, to be entitled "Public Roads
in Cecil county.''

Mr. Knight, from the Committee on Militia, submitted the
following :

JOINT RESOLUTIONS.

WHEREAS, The Constitution of the United States imposes
on Congress the duty of providing for organizing and arming
the militia of the several States, and Congress did in pur-
suance thereof, on the twenty-third day of April, one thous-
and eight hundred and eight, pass a law making a permanent
annual appropriation of two hundred thousand dollars, to
provide arms as aforesaid, to be apportioned among the several
States, and

Whereas, By reason of the increase in the population from
eight to upwards of forty millions, and the increase in the
number of States from thirteen to thirty-seven, the present
annual quota allotted to this State, of the aroresaid appropri-
ation, is insufficient to arm the militia of the States, and an
onerous charge is imposed upon the State Treasury to supply
form time to time the deficiency, and

Whereas, The Governor of this State, has adverted in his
message to the importance of arming the volunteer organiza-
tions with the improved breech loaders, and the said organiz-
ation are now for the most part armed with inferior muzzle
loading werpons, and

Whereas, A bill is now pending before Congress largely
incressing the annual appropriation for the purpose of provid-
ing arms and ordnance stores for the whole body of the
militia of the United States, and among other things, provid-
ing that all arms issued to the States and Territories shall be
of the same patterns as are adopted for the United States
Army, therefore

Be it Resolved, The House of Assembly, concurring that
the Senators in Congress from this State, be instructed and
the Representatives requested to urge and Vote for the passage
of the bill now before Congress entitled "a bill making pro-
vision for arming and equipping the whole body of the militia
of the United States and for other purposes.

Which was read the first time.

Mr. Tuck presented the petition of three hundred and two
citizens of Annapolis, asking that barber's shops may be
closed on Sunday.