1878.] OF THE SENATE. 157

ELKTON, MD., Feb, 1st, 1878.

To the Hone-rabies George Peter and Clement Sulivane—
Committee on the part of the Senate.

And the Honorables James Turner, Eugene Higgins and
Rich'd B Carmichael—Committee on the part of the House
of Delegates.

GENTLEMEN:—I thank you most sincerely for the courteous
manner in which, in your communication of the 18th ultimo,
you informed me officially of my election by the General As-
sembly of Maryland to represent in part that State in the
United States Senate for six years from March 4th, 1879.

I shall accept that exalted position with many misgivings,
but with a determination, to the extent of my ability, so to
discharge its duties as to aid in promoting the prosperity and
happiness of the people of Maryland, and of every section of
the Union.

I desire to convey to the General Assembly, through you,
my high appreciation and grateful acknowledgment of the
distinguished honor which that Body has bestowed upon me,
and my promise that it shall be my constant aim to prove
myself worthy of the confidence and respect which was dis-
played in my election.

I am, gentlemen,

Your obedient servant,

JAMES B. GROOME.
Which were read.

Mr. Sulivane, from a Select Committee, reported favorably

House bill entitled an Act to authorize the Commissioners
of the town of Cambridge, Dorchester County, to purchase or
condemn a lot and to erect thereon a fire engine house and a
market house, with the following amendments :

AMENDMENTS' PROPOSED.

Sec. 1, line 2, after the word "be," insert, "and they are
hereby."

Sec. 3. And be it enacted, That before proceeding to erect
an engine house or market house, the said town Commission-
ers shall publish proposals therefor, with specifications, in the
Cambridge newspapers for not less than three weeks, and let
out the contract for such building to the lowest responsible
bidder, but the cost in no event to exceed fifteen hundred dol-
lars.

Sec. 4, And be it enacted, That the said Town Commis-
sioners be, and they are hereby, authorized to assess and levy