1878. ] OF THE SENATE. 15

Which was read, assented to and sent to the House of
Delegates.

On motion by Mr. Peter, it was

Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed by the
President, to inquire by what authority the officers or man-
agers of the State Penitentiary have made a contract with
the United States to take convicts from the District of
Columbia, and also as to the terms of such contracts.

The President appointed as such Committee, Messrs. Peter,
McLane and Freeman.

The Hon. B. G. Hollyday, Secretary of State, appeared and
delivered a communication from the Executive, endorsed
"Executive business. "

The Clerk of the House of Delegates appeared and de-
livered the following message:

By THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES,

January 4th, 1878.

Gentlemen of the Senate:

We have received your message requesting that the pre-
siding officers of the two Houses address the Hon. Barnes
Compton a joint letter, informing him of his election as State
Treasurer, and respectfully concur therein.

By order,

MILTON Y. KIDD,

Chief Clerk.
Which was read.

The hour of 2 o'clock having arrived

The Senators proceeded to the Hall of the House of Dele-
gates to enter into Joint Convention for the election of a
State Printer.

JOINT CONVENTION.

The Senators of Maryland, accompanied by the Secretary
of the Senate, appeared in the Hall of the House of Delegates.

The Speaker, as Chairman of the Joint Convention, then
announced that the Senate and House would now in Joint
Convention proceed to the election of a State Printer, as
agreed upon between the two Houses.

The Chairman appointed Mr. Stump, on the part of the

Senate, and Mr. Merrick, on the part of the House of Dele-
gates, to act as tellers.