tent for this house to decide this question lor itself. We have light enough. Whatever may be the motive or intention of tllis mo tion—I know it is perfectly honest and patriotic as far as the gentleman from Washington (Mr, Negley) is concerned—I am satisfied it will but delay this question. Mr. pUGh. i agree with a great deal that the gentleman from Baltimore city (Mr. Stirling) has said. And I have no doubt that he agrees with a great deal that has been said all over the house. We all agree that it is very important that we should have something in a shape that we can act upon it We are all very much interested in this mat ter. My only reason for supporting this motion to appoint a select committee—it may not be well founded, still I have that reason— is this : I did not know that there were one hundred and fifty amendments or different propositions before the house. There are a great many amendments, each one of those amendments expressing some peculiar view of some particular member of this body on this subject. If a committee is selected, that committee will have all these different views before them to govern them in framing a report. I know myself of two different amendments that are proposed to be offered to this section. I have one myself; my colleague (Mr. Earle) has one. I have no doubt there are other members of the convention who also have some amendments to offer. But in cage the committee should be appointed, members can make suggestions to that committee. Now, is it exactly fair that some gentlemen here should have had opportunity to present their amendments by notice or in other manner ? Mr, stiRLING. the gentleman can offer amendments. Mr. push. suppose I offer my amendment; I do not understand the condition o the case now. After I have offered my amendment and made my little speech—for each one who proposes an amendment does make his little speech—then my colleague (Mr. Earle) offers his amendment and makes his little speech. And if other members of the Convention go on to offer their amendments and make their little speeches, we shall then be in inextricable confusion. Now, in reply to the gentleman from Baltimore city (Mr. Cushinsg) in regard to waste of time, I wish to say that there is no one more opposed to that than I am. But it is because I see there is gome chance of petting this subject cornered; getting it so that we can master it, that I go for this committee. It is merely for the purpose of saving time that I favor the appointment of this special committee. Now, I would ask the gentleman if he voted for my five minute rule? Mr. stirlinG, i would ask if this report and all these amendments go to the select committee, are they not bound to bring back into the house everything that they take out

The pRESIDEnt. the proposition, as the chair understands it, tor raising a select committee, was introduced with a view of obtaining the views of the committee as to what they may consider a fit substitute to be of-fered for all the various propositions. The action of the Convention will be governed by the report of this select committee. If the Convention adopt the report of the select committee, then that takes the place of all pending propositions on this subject. If they refuse to adopt the report of the committee, then the action of the committee will be of no avall, and the subject will stand before the Convention just the same as if no select committee bad been raised. Mr. schLEy, i move to amend the motion of the gentleman from Washington county (Mr.Negley,) by adding thereto the following: "And that said special committee beinstructed to report a provision for the sale of the works of internal improvement in which the State is interested as stockholder or creditor." My object is to bring up the question at once before the convention as to whether they desire to sell the public works or not. Mr. AUDOUN. I hope my friend from Frederick (Mr. Schley) will withdraw bis amendment. Upon looking about me this evening, 1 find that Baltimore city is represented here to-night by but six members; Baltimore county is represented by but three. In justice to Baltimore county and Baltimore city, who ire deeply interested, as much so as Frederick, or any other portion of the State, I hope he will withdraw his amendment. Mr. bERRy, of Prince George's. I rise for the purpose of asking a question for information. It is whether it would be in order now to move to strike out from the legislative report the thirty-ninth section ? And would not the striking out that section cause all the amendments now before the house to this sec-tion to fall with the section? I do this for the purpose of carrying out the object of the gen-tleman from Frederick (Mr. Schley.) The president. that motion is not now inorder. The preceding question must be first disposed of, Mr. millEr. i would like to inquire of the gentleman from Baltimore city (Mr. Stirling,) whether he is prepared to vote for the thirty-ninth section as it now stands in the report of the legislative committee? I think the sense of the convention lias been taken once or twice against a sale by the legislature, or against any provision by the legislature to sell these works. If the gentleman is in favor of striking out this section, I would like to ask him further, whether he is in favor of insert-ing a provision forbidding the legislature passing any law providing for the sale of these works ? The amendment of the gentle-