66                The Maryland Constitution of 1851.             [444

to sell intoxicating liquors to any person in any part of the
State, except on the condition that his application to sell
the same was approved by a majority of the voters in the
district where the liquors were to be sold. The petitions
were referred to a special committee; but no report was
made. One member made the proposition that every
member of the convention should join the temperance
society.⁸⁸

Mr. Hicks proposed an amendment which would make
it unconstitutional for a member of that convention to ac-
cept any office or an appointment under the constitution
until ten years after its adoption. This amendment was
rejected by a vote of 39 to 32.⁸⁹

The convention, after a session of more than six months,
adjourned sine die on the 13th of May, at 1.30 A. M. The
constitution was not adopted as a whole by the convention.
That a majority of the members present at the final session
would have voted for its adoption, is doubtful. The final
adjournment took place rather unexpectedly. The reports
from several committees had not been considered.

There was a general feeling of disappointment through-
out the State with the convention, and a demand for its
adjournment. The last scene was one of confusion and
disorder. A gentleman, who was present at the final ses-
sion, and whom the Baltimore American assures the readers
was an authentic and responsible person, said that there
were some things connected with the constitution of 1851
which properly belongs to its history, but which would
never appear in the official proceedings as published. A
few days before the adjournment it was announced by
several of the leading and most influential men of the " re-
form party" that a final vote of acceptance on the con-
stitution as a whole would be taken, when all the parts
were completed and arranged. At this time there were
some eighty or ninety members in attendance. It soon

⁸⁸ Debates, vol. ii, p. 605.                      ⁸⁹ Debates, vol. i, p. 205.