50               The Maryland Constitution of 1864.            [396

entirely non-partisan, it being the general sentiment of the
Convention that the people in their sovereign capacity had
the right to elect whomsoever they pleased to represent
them in that body, even the Convention Bill to the con-
trary, though some based their position on different inter-
pretations of that instrument.⁴⁴

The Convention held one session a day till July 21, when
it was decided to meet in the evening as well, on every
working day except Saturday.⁴⁵ These latter sessions were
not attended very well as a rule, there being no quorum
present on eight different evenings. There was much delay
in the work of the Convention, the larger part of the new
Constitution as finally adopted being passed during the last
six weeks of the session. The long discussion of the
Declaration of Rights and the interruptions consequent
upon the pressure of outside affairs as stated above, were
largely responsible for this. As the people of the state were
beginning to show impatience,⁴⁶ the general result was haste
towards the end, although this caused additional mutterings.
Three sessions were held each day during the five days pre-
ceding adjournment.

The Convention finally adjourned on Tuesday, Septem-
ber 6, 1864, having passed a resolution that, in view of the
uncertain condition of affairs in the state "which might in-
terfere with the expression of the popular will on the day
to be fixed for voting on this Constitution," the adjourn-
ment was subject to the call of the president, and in case of
his death or disqualification, Messrs. Schley, Pugh, Stock-
bridge and Purnell were authorized, in the order named,
to act as president and call the Convention together.⁴⁷

A resolution of thanks to President Goldsborough for his
"dignified, efficient and impartial discharge of the duties
of the chair" was offered by Mr. Chambers, and unan-

⁴⁴ Deb., ii, 764-8; iii, 1730.                                       ⁴⁵ Proc., 272.

⁴⁶ "American," June 10, Aug. 2; Frederick "Examiner," June
22; Deb., i, 98, 148, 204-5, 322-4.                        ⁴⁷ Proc., 600, 773.