1858.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.          247

The bill entitled, an act to incorporate the town of Wes-
ternport in Allegany county;

Being upon its second reading,

Mr. Thruston proposed the following amendments:

"In the 7th line, strike out his," and insert "their,"

In the 7th and 8th lines, strike out "hand and seal," and
insert "hands and seals,"

Which were assented to.

Mr. Contee proposed the following amendment:

"Section 8, line 2, strike out all after the word "recover-
able," and insert "as small debts out of court, are now re-
coverable in this State;''

Mr. Thruston proposed the following as a substitute for
said amendment:

In line 2, of section 8, strike out the words "before the presi-
dent aforesaid," and also in the third line the word "or;"

Which was assented to.

The said bill as amended was then read the second time, and
ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

The Secretary of the Senate delivered the following mes-
sage:

By the Senate,

February 4th, 1858.
Gentlemen of the House of Delegates:

We propose with the concurrence of your honorable body,
to appoint a joint committee of three from each House to
inquire into the expediency of constructing a fire proof build-
ing for preserving the records of the State, of increasing the
dimensions of the present Chamber used for the sittings of the
House of Delegates, of adding two committee rooms for the
accomodation of each branch of the Legislature—of lighting
the whole building with gas and warming the same with
furnaces;

We propose that said committee shall report to the session
of the General Assembly the result of its enquiries. We have
appointed upon the part of this Senate, Messrs. Hoffman,
Franklin and Daniel.

By Order,

C. Harwood, Secretary.
Which was read.