Maryland State Archives

Article III of the Constitution of Maryland as adopted by the Convention
Source: CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1967 (Constitution) Constitution of Maryland as Adopted by the Convention. Printed for distribution, MdHR 18288-1 [MSA S 783-1, 1/33/1/2]

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1967 COMMITTEE ON THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH (Research and Report File) Fifth Report of the Committee on the Legislative Department, August 5, 1966 [MSA S 847-1, 1/33/2/86]

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1967 COMMITTEE ON THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH (Research and Report File) Ninth (Final) Report of the Committee on the Legislative Department, March 21, 1967 [MSA S 847-1, 1/33/2/86]

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1967 COMMITTEE ON THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH (Research and Report File) Major Changes Between 1867 Constitution as Amended and Constitutional Convention Commission Draft (Legislative Article) September 15, 1967 [MSA S 847-1, 1/33/2/86]

Debates of the 1967 Constitutional Convention, pages 1547-1548:
"...for the first time in the constitution the legislature is given the power to compel the presence and testimony of witnesses, and also the submission of documents and records. Now, this power existed in a limited fashion or exists in a limited fashion in the present Maryland Constitution, as it pertains to grand inquests. However, there are not a significant number of these in any ten year period, and by and large the House and Senate do not conduct their business by the grand inquest basis, but upon the full house and committee basis.."

1967 Constitutional Convention debates (pp. 3313-3315) regarding governmental investigations:
http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000104/html/am104d--3313.html

"The Investigative Power of the General Assembly" - from the Constitutional Revision Study Documents of the Consitution Covention Commission of Maryland:
http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000138/html/am138--125.html

Table comparing Article III Section 24 across all of Maryland's Constitutions - from the Constitutional Revision Study Documents of the Consitution Covention Commission of Maryland:
http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc2900/sc2908/000001/000138/html/am138--782.html

Article III, Section 24 as adopted

Debates of the 1864 Constitutional Convention, page 810:
Amendment proposing change in wording to last line of section. Read and adopted.

Debates of the 1864 Constitutional Convention, page 888:
"There was a time when the legislature of Maryland sat here as the adjudicator of the grievances of the people; and I undertake to say that it was a wiser legislature than we now have. The ordinary system of legislation pursued in these States, when colonies, was to make the house of delegates the grand inquest of the people..."

Article III, Section 23 as adopted

Debates of the 1850 Constitutional Convention, page 250:
The Legislature is the grand inquest of the State, and the knowledge of this brings all these officers up to the line of their duty. This is our great security for their promptness and efficiency. To demonstrate this in detail, would, perhaps, be tedious to the Convention, he [the Treasurer?] merely stated it now, as the result of his own observation and experience."

Debates of the 1850 Constitutional Convention, page 262:
With regard to the supervision over the Treasury, and a strict eye upon accounting officers, he must say he had not much faith in the influence of investigating committees, or in the "grand inquest." He asked gentlemen when and where defaulters had been detected and exposed by such committees. Experience taught us differently."

Article III, Section 28 as adopted

Section 10 as adopted

Majority report Of the Cecil and Harford Delegations, relating to the Petitions referred to said Delegations relative to the Cecil and Harford Counties Boom Company from the 1868 Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland. This report says "This is the "Grand Inquest" of the State of Maryland, and it is to this grand inquest that the people look for protection against injurious legislation and the abuse of corporate power" (pp. 845-848). Minority report appears on pp. 905-907.

The contestant on the other hand, insists that the action of the Registers is absolutely binding upon the Judges, and cannot be inquired into by this House. In our opinion, the action of the Registers is absolutely binding against each individual, touching his right to vote, and for no other purpose, but is not binding upon the public, as to the right of voting, to such extent that this House, which is the grand inquest of the State, cannot review their conduct.

Journal of Proceedings of the House of Delegates, 1890, pp. 298-299; 519-523 - Report of the Committee on Article 3, sec. 24 of the Constitution.

Journal of Proceedings of the House of Delegates of Maryland, 1929, pp. 25, 30-31, 42, 79-80, 1214-1215, 1254.

Text of Joint Resolution No. 1

Report of the Joint Standing Committee of the Senate and House of Delegates in its investigation of the affairs of the Maryland State Roads Commission in pursuance of Joint Resolution No. 2 of the Senate and House, adopted January 23, 1929. Report adopted March 29, 1929.

Report of Committee Appointed by the Governor of Maryland, Confirmed by Act of the General Assembly of Maryland, 1929, to Investigate the Affairs of the State Roads Commission from 1920 to 1928.

Minority report of Paul Berman, member of Grand Inquest Committee to the General Assembly of Maryland, 1929

Minority report of Joseph A. Wilmer, member of Grand Inquest Committee to the General Assembly of Maryland, 1929

Minority report of Daniel C. Joseph, member of Grand Inquest Committee to the General Assembly of Maryland, 1929

State Roads Commission Reports of Haskins & Sells, C.P.As., Dated November 26, 1928, and December 12, 1928 - Relating to Irregular Transactions During the Period from October 1, 1920, to March 31, 1928.

Journal of Proceedings of the House of Delegates of Maryland, 1927, pp. 182-183.