64                The Maryland Constitution of 1851.

against betting on elections; and all deposits of wagers on
elections, were to be paid to the treasurer of the Western
Shore for the benefit of the school fund,⁸⁰ the fines col-
lected from persons violating the oyster laws were also
appropriated to the same purpose.⁸¹

On the 25th of February, Mr. Smith, of Allegany county,
chairman of the committee on education submitted a ma-
jority report. The report recommended to the legislature
to establish a permanent and adequate school fund, so
soon as the financial condition of the State should justify
it. The fund was to be securely invested, and remain per-
petually for educational purposes. The legislature was also
to establish a uniform system of public schools through-
out the State. The report also provided for the estab-
lishing of a State Normal School, and for the election
of a state superintendent of public schools.⁸² The consid-
eration of the committee's report, after several attempts
to have it taken up by the convention, was postponed in-
definitely, and no final action was taken on the subject.

The question of public education was discussed in the
convention when the report of the committee on the legis-
lative department was considered. The original bill as re-
ported by this committee provided that no loans should
be made upon the credit of the State, except such as may
be authorized by an act of the General Assembly passed
at one session; and be confirmed at the next regular ses-
sion of the General Assembly.⁸³ Mr. Constable, of Cecil
county, moved an amendment to this article by inserting
a provision which would authorize the legislature to im-
pose taxes for the establishment of a uniform system of
public schools throughout the State, adequately endowed
to educate every white child within its limits.⁸⁴ This
amendment was rejected. The extravagance of the legis-

⁸⁰ Act 1839, ch. 392, sec. 2.                  ⁸¹ Act 1833, ch. 254, sec. 5.

⁸² Debates, vol. i, p. 339.

⁸³ Debates, vol. i, p. 124; Committee's Report, sec. 21.

⁸⁴ Debates, vol. i, p. 395.