1856.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.          355

pie of the State since 1851, have made any contracts in pursu-
ance of the directions contained in section 5, of article 7, of the
constitution, or of the provisions of the act of 1852, chapter 113,
and, if any, what contracts have been so made, and with whom,
and upon what security, and at what periods they expired or ex-
pire, and what amount has been secured to the State thereby, and
whether, under said contracts, the contractors have fully complied
with the terms of these contracts.                 

We have appointed Messrs. Sothoron; Berry and Gaither on
the part of the Senate, to join the gentlemen who may be ap-
pointed on the part of your honorable body.                     

By order,                                    

C. Harwood, Sec'y.

On motion of Mr. Merrick,           

The rules were suspended to allow him to offer the following
message.                   

              By the House of Delegates,

                   February 18th, 1856.

Gentlemen of the Senate,

We have received your message, proposing the appointment of
a joint committee to examine and report to the Legislature
whether the Commissioners of Lotteries, elected by the people of
the State since 1851, have made any contracts, in pursuance of
the directions contained in section 5, of article 7, of the constitu-
tion, &c, &c, and concur therein.                           
We have appointed Messrs. Merrick, Valiant, Brengle, Golds-
borough and Hall, on the part of this House, to join the gentle
men on the part of the Senate.

                By Order,                  

                                         Thomas H. Kent, of Jos.

                                                                      Chief Clerk.

Mr. Stack, from a select committee, reported a bill entitled, an
act to change the name of a certain village in Caroline county,
known by the name of "Snow Hill," to the name of "Pres-

ton."                                             

Mr. Daniel, from a select committee, reported a bill entitled, an
act to provide for the election of a Chaplain to the Maryland Pen-
itentiary:

Also, a bill entitled, an act to provide for the erection of a new
dormitory to the Maryland Penitentiary, and making suitable pro-
visions for a chapel, and for insane persons confined in said Pen-
itentiary.