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443] The Convention. # 65
lature in granting state aid to works of internal improve-
ment, created a general demand for restriction on the
power of the General Assembly to make appropriations.
The convention adopted a provision which prohibited
the legislature from appropriating public money, or pledg-
ing the State's credit for the use of individuals, associa-
tions, or corporations, " except for purposes of education."
The last clause was an amendment introduced by Mr.
Davis, of Montgomery county, an ardent advocate for a
general system of public education. This amendment of
Mr. Davis was adopted by the convention by a vote of 43
to 24;85 but on the motion of Mr. Thomas, of Frederick
county, was reconsidered and rejected by a vote of 39 to
31. 86
The opposition to the establishing of a uniform system
of public education within the State, came from Balti-
more City and the larger counties. The cause of the op-
position was due to the very unequal manner in which
the existing school fund was distributed; and because many
of the counties and Baltimore City had ample provisions
for schools under their local systems. Several of the
counties had their own funds specially devoted to educa-
tional purposes. There was a general feeling of disap-
pointment in the convention at the failure to provide for a
uniform system of public schools. One member advocated
a poll-tax. No man, he said, would be so unworthy the
name of an American citizen as to refuse the price of one
day's labor, to maintain public schools.87 It is noteworthy
that the constitutional convention in 1864 provided for a
uniform system of public schools along the line recom-
mended by the committee on education in 1851.
Petitions were presented to the convention from citi-
zens of thirteen counties, and from Baltimore City, praying
that a provision might be made in the constitution which
would prohibit the legislature from granting the privilege
85 Debates, vol. i, p. 425. 86 Debates, vol. i, p. 433.
87 Debates, vol. ii, p. 808.
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