84               The Maryland Constitution of 1851.             [462

The constitution of 1851 provided for its own amend-
ment by a convention elected expressly for that purpose.
The legislature was required at its first session imme-
diately succeeding the returns of every census of the
United States, to pass a law for ascertaining the wishes of
the people of the State in regard to the call of a convention
for the purpose of amending the constitution. This was
not done until February 3, 1864.⁵⁷ The constitution went
into effect July 4, 1851. It remained in force until 1864,
and is remarkable for its extremely democratic features.
All state officials from the governor to the constable were
to be elected by popular vote. This provision was a reac-
tion against the very conservative and aristocratic character
of the constitution of 1776.

⁵⁷ Act 1864, ch. 5.