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24 The Maryland Constitution of 1851. [402
embarrassment of the most serious character, and re-
quested that the whole discussion might be postponed until
its agitation could exercise no injurious influence upon
the credit of the State. That " conventional reform"
would be a violation of the constitution, subversive of the
interest of the smaller counties; and an abridgment to
the rights of the minority.20
In the gubernatorial canvass of 1847, the Democratic
party nominated Philip Francis Thomas of Talbot county
for governor. Mr. Thomas's opinion on the question of
a constitutional convention was so well known that he was
presented as the standard bearer of the " reform party,"
whose motto was " reform, retrenchment, and conven-
tion." 21 The leaders of the reform movement entreated
the people to lay aside all party prejudices and act inde-
pendently of party affiliations in order to secure Mr. Thom-
as's election. They urged the counties to select their
tickets for the General Assembly with direct reference to
this question of " conventional reform," which had become
paramount to all other questions. The Whigs, as a party
opposed to the calling of a convention, nominated Mr.
William Goldsborough for governor in opposition to Mr.
Thomas. Active canvass of the State was made by both
parties. Excitement ran high, and invectives were used
to a considerable extent on both sides.
The Whigs characterized their opponents as " syco-
phants " and "parasites," "who pander to the prejudice
and interest of the larger counties in hope of lucre."22
The Democrats returned the abuses with equally oppro-
brious terms. Mr. Thomas was elected governor by a ma-
jority of 709 votes; while the Whigs had the majority in
both branches of the General Assembly. The friends of
" conventional reform " were again destined to disappoint-
ment. The legislature refused to pass an act authorizing
20 Report of Majority on Constitution, Dec. session, 1847.
21 Easton Star, July 27, 1847. 22 Easton Star, October 12, 1847.
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