80               The Maryland Constitution of 1864.            [426

bing. The uncertain state of the "money market" in
time of war was a potent reason urged against any action
in the matter.¹⁷⁵ The whole question was finally referred
to a special committee of nine Qn July 27, with instructions
to report two days later.¹⁷⁶ A majority of six of the com-
mittee reported in favor of the sale of certain interests
according to a given method, and the reference of the sub-
ject of the sale of the remainder to a popular vote. A
minority of four members of the committee reported
against any provision for the sale of public works, urging
that at present it was inexpedient, as it would tend to
dissatisfy a large part of the people, and as it was doubtful
if any plan could command a majority of the votes of the
Convention. A number of the members had come to this
more conservative view, owing to the lack of any definite
plan as yet, though Mr. Thomas of Baltimore City, who
came originally from Allegany county, vigorously opposed
the move as detrimental to the western part of the state.¹⁷⁷
After much discussion and seemingly endless amend-
ments,¹⁷⁸ provisions were finally adopted¹⁷⁹ which author-
ized the Governor, Comptroller and State Treasurer con-
jointly, or any two of them, to exchange the state's inter-
est in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad "for an equal
amount of bonds, or registered debt now owing by the
state," and also to sell the interests in the other works of
internal improvement or banking corporations, but subject
to such regulations and conditions as the General As-
sembly might prescribe. There were two provisos to the
above, the first reserving from sale the interest of the
state in the Washington Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, and the second requiring a ratification by the
Legislature of the sale of the interests in the Chesapeake

¹⁷⁵ Deb., ii, 814-5, 903, 908.

¹⁷⁶ Proc., 346-9.                                                  ¹⁷⁷ Deb., ii, 966-70.

¹⁷⁸ Proc., 298-304, 315-6, 321-2, 340-9, 391-5, 398-404; Deb., ii,
814-9, 872-3, 899-913, 962-74, 1110-25, 1145-53.

¹⁷⁹ Yeas 39, nays 25 (Proc., 402-3). See Art. iii, secs. 52-3.