The President announced the appointment of the following committees: The Committee of Twenty-one, "to enquire and report what method would be most expedient to bring before the Convention the forms and provisions of a new Constitution."-Messrs. Jenifer, Blakistone, Ricaud, Sellman, Sollers, Buchanan, Dickinson, John Dennis, Hicks, Constable, Sprigg, Spencer, Dirickson, Johnson, McHenry, Stewart, of Caroline, Gwinn, Schley, Davis, Smith, and Brown. Committee on Accounts.-Messrs. Wells, Williams, Lloyd, Neill and Ware. Committee on Reporting and Printing.-Messrs. Stewart, of Baltimore city, Bowie, Randall, Johnson, Spencer, Ricaud, and Weber. On motion of Mr. Stewart, of Baltimore city, The Convention adjourned until Monday morning 12 o'clock. MONDAY, November 18th, 1850. The Convention met pursuant to adjournment. Present the same members as on Friday. Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Graff. The proceedings of Friday were read. Ordered, That the Register in Chancery be requested to inform this Convention, at the earliest practicable period, the number of suits now pending in the High Court of Chancery, and how many of those suits have originated in each of the counties of this State, Howard district and the city of Baltimore; also, in what year they were severally instituted, and the probable length of time which would be required to decide the cases now pending in said court; provided, the origination of new cases was prohibited by constitutional provisions. On motion of Mr. Blakistone, The Convention took up for consideration the report submitted by Mr. Phelps, on the 15th inst., being rules and orders for the regulation and government of the Convention. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd rules were severally read and adopted. Mr. Randall, moved to amend the 4th rule by inserting after the words "questions of order," these words "without debate;" Determined in the negative. On motion of Mr. Bowie, The 4th rule was amended, by striking out in the last line thereof, the words "an adjournment," and inserting in lieu thereof the words "one week," The 4th rule, as amended, was then adopted. The 5th and 6th rules, were severally read and assented to. On motion of Mr. Donaldson, The 7th rule was amended, by striking out in the 5th line, these words "to postpone indefinitely," and by striking out also the two last lines, being in these words "and when a question is postponed indefinitely, the same shall not be acted on again during the session;" The said rule was then adopted as amended. The Sth, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th rules were severally read and adopted. Mr. McHenry, moved to amend, by inserting as the 15th rule, the following. "No member shall absent himself from any sitting of the Convention, except in case of indisposition, without leave previously obtained, and in the journal shall daily be recorded the names of all absentees ;" Which was read, and on the question being put on the adoption of said rule; it was Determined in the negative. Mr. McHenry, moved for the yeas and nays; Which motion was not sustained. Mr. Kilgour, moved to amend the 14th rule, by striking out these words "Oflicers of the Army and Navy;" Determined in the negative. Mr. Ware, moved to amend said 14th rule, by striking out all said rule except the last paragraph. Determined in the negative. On motion of Mr. Schley, The Convention reconsidered their vote upon the motion of Mr. Ware, to strike out all of the 14th rule except the last paragraph; The question then recurred and was put upon the amendment as offered by Mr. Ware, and Determined in the affirmative. The said 14th rule was then adopted as amended. On motion of Mr. Schley, The 15th rule was amended by striking out the word "notice," and inserting in lieu thereof "instance." The said 15th rule was then adopted as amended. The 16th rule was read and adopted. On motion of Mr. Crisfield, The 17th rule was amended, by inserting after the words "shall preclude all," the word "further." On motion of Mr. Dorsey, Said rule was further amended by inserting after the word "consideration," in the 6th line, these words "and if the previous question is sustained." Mr. Biser, then moved to amend said rule by striking out these words, "when on taking the previous question the Convention shall decide that the same shall not now be put, the main question shall be still under consideration." Determined in the negative. The said 17th rule was then adopted as amended. The 18th, 19th and 20th rules were severally read and adopted. On motion of Mr. Bowie, The 21st rule was amended by striking out in the 10th line thereof, the word "three," and inserting in lieu thereof, "one." On notion of Mr. Blakistone, Said rule was further amended by striking out the words "but the question shall not be taken on the motion to reconsider on the same day on which the decision proposed to be reconsidered shall take place unless by unanimous consent." Mr. Blakistone, moved to reconsider the vote of the Convention, upon the amendment of Mr. Bowie, amending said rule by striking out "three," and inserting, "one;" Determined in the negative. The said rule was then adopted as amended. Mr. Bowie moved to strike out the 22nd rule. Determined in the negative. The said rule was then read and adopted. The 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th rules were severally read and adopted. The 27th rule was then read, Mr. Bowie, moved to amend said rule by striking out the words "two thirds," and inserting in lieu thereof "a majority." Determined in the negative. Mr. Ricaud, moved that the Convention adjourn; Mr. Neill, submitted the following order: Ordered, That the clerks of the court of Appeals for the Eastern and Western Shores, be requested to inform this Convention of the number of cases argued and decided in said courts, during the years 1847, 1848 and 1849, and that said reports be made by the 15th of December next. On motion of Mr. Neill, The Convention adjourned until to-morrow morning, 10 o'clock. TUESDAY, November 19th, 1850. The Convention met pursuant to adjournment. The proceedings of yesterday were read. Mr. Brown, submitted the following resolution: Resolved, That the following Standing Committees shall be appointed by the President: A committee on Elections. A committee to prepare a Declaration of Rights. A committee on the powers and duties of the Legislature. A committee on Internal Improvements, the Public Revenue and Property, and the Public Debt. A committee on the Executive Department. A committee on the Judiciary. A committee on all other Civil Appointments. A committee on granting Bank Charters and all other acts of Incorporations. A committee on the Treasury Department. A committee on the Militia and Military affairs. A committee on the Printing for the Convention. A committee on the claims arising out of the expenses of this Convention. A committee on the Free Colored Population of this State. A committee on the amending power of the Constitution. Each of the above committees is to consist of seven members. Also, a committee on the Apportionment, Election, tenure of office, and compensation of the Senate and House of Delegates; to consist of nine members, three to be taken from each gubernatorial district. Which was read, and On motion of Mr. Brown, Referred to the select committee of "twenty-one." Mr. Dirickson, submitted the following resolutions: members be appointed by the President, whose duty it shall be to take into consideration the expediency of simplifying, modifying or abolishing the present system of pleadings practiced in courts of justice. Resolved, That a committee of members be appointed by the President, whose duty it shall be to enquire into the expediency of providing for the election of prosecuting Attorneys by the qualified voters in the city of Baltimore and the several counties respectively in this State. Which was read, and On motion of Mr. Dirickson, Referred to the select committee of "twenty-one." The Convention resumed the consideration of the unfinished business of yesterday, being the rules and orders for the regulation and government of the Convention. Mr. Ricaud, moved to reconsider the vote of the Convention upon the 20th rule. Determined in the affirmative. Mr. Ricaud, then moved to amend said rule by striking out "twice," in the second line, and inserting in lieu thereof "once." Mr. Stewart, of Caroline, moved to amend said rule by striking out the word "twice," in the 1st and 2nd lines, and inserting in lieu thereof "three times." Determined in the negative. The question then recurred upon the amendment offered by Mr. Ricaud, to strike out "twice," and insert "once," and Determined in the affirmative. The said rule was then adopted. The question then recurred and was put, "will the Convention assent to the rules as amended?" Determined in the affirmative. Mr. Fiery, submitted the following resolution: Resolved, That a select committee of seven be appointed by the Chair, to enquire into the expediency of providing in the constitution for a codification of the laws of the State, in order that the people may know the legal and equitable rules by which they must be governed, that litigation may be diminished, and justice more promptly administered. Which was read, and On motion of Mr. Fiery, Referred to the committee of "twenty-one." Mr. Parke, submitted the following order: Ordered, That the committee appointed "to enquire and report what method would be most expedient to bring before the Convention the forms and provisions of a new constitution," take into consideration the propriety of adopting the following standing committees: 1st. On the Rights and Privileges of the inhabitants of this State. 2nd. On the Legislative Department. 3rd. On the Executive Department. 4th. On State Officers, other than Executive and Judiciary. 5th. On the organization of Courts of Justice. 6th. On matters pertaining to Criminal Law. 7th. On Law Practice and Law Reform. 8th. On special and local legislation, and uniformity of laws. 9th. On impeachment and removal from office. 10th. On the Elective Franchise, and apportionment of representation. 11th. On County and District organizations, powers and officers. 12th. On Currency and Banking. 13th. On Corporations other than Banking. 14th. On State Debt and Public Works. 15th. On Finances and Public Taxation. 16th. On the Militia. 17th. On Education. |