HERBERT R. O'CONOR, GOVERNOR. 1961

NO. 16.
(Senate Joint Resolution 15)

A Joint Resolution requesting the Governor to appoint a
Commission to consider the need for a State Constitu-
tional Convention.

WHEREAS, Maryland is one of the few States which has
had no revision of its Constitution during the last seventy-
five years; and

WHEREAS, the present Constitution was adopted in 1867,
immediately following the war between the States; and

WHEREAS, in 1930, a majority of those voting on the
question voted for the holding of a State Constitutional
Convention but the General Assembly failed to make pro-
vision for such Convention; and

WHEREAS, so many changes have taken place in the eco-
nomic, social and political viewpoint as to the functions of
government; and

WHEREAS, numerous amendments have been made to our
existing Constitution, which have left many of its pro-
visions inconsistent and contradictory; and

WHEREAS, it would seem desirable that the question of
proper constitutional revision be considered by persons
especially elected for this purpose instead of continuing
the present system of sporadic and patchwork amend-
ments, without due consideration as to other provisions of
the Constitution; and

WHEREAS, now would seem to be an opportune time to
give consideration to this subject, as the procedure will re-
quire considerable time; and

WHEREAS, if it is decided to call a Constitutional Con-
vention, the members of said Convention would probably
be elected at the November election, 1948, and would have
sufficient time to study and consider a proper Constitution
in time to have it submitted to the voters at the November
election, 1950, which would give ample opportunity to con-
sider changes which are desirable, in view of changing
economic and political conditions; therefore be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That
the Governor be and he is hereby requested to appoint a