Talk:Government of Maryland

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[edit] Introduction phrasing

The introduction is clumsily phrased.

It is also controversial, and requires toning down to become an expression of consensus. In particular, the effect of the "republican form of government" clause is debatable - including the question [how far] Congress may choose to tolerate a "non-republican" government. Also, to assert the general exclusive jurisdiction of the states is too strong - it being limited both by explicit grant in some matters, and by the rights of citizens of the United States. Septentrionalis 14:32, 9 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Thanks a lot. It was indeed clumsily phrased. As to the controversy, I don't think either of the two of us who wrote most of the original article are constitutional scholars. We weren't intending to be controversial; we just weren't aware of those issues. Nothing wrong with correcting us. That's the point of wiki. Isomorphic 16:10, 9 Apr 2005 (UTC)

You are most welcome, and I have amended my initial comment; which is justification for the change, rather than criticism.

I am moving the "republican" sentence to the Constitution section, where it belongs. (It should also be added to any future discussion of the Federal intervention of 1861.) Septentrionalis 17:07, 9 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Plurality: Why mention here? First past the post is usual in the United States Septentrionalis 21:16, 9 Apr 2005 (UTC)

If for no other reason then because as I understand it at least some other states now use a run-off system. When I read the article I thought it was at least possible that a run-off system was in use but no-one had bothered to mention it. So I had to look up the Maryland constitution to find out.

By the way, please sign your posts. It makes communication easier. You just need to type "~~~~" at the end of your post and it does it automatically. Iota 20:49, 9 Apr 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Motto on the Seal

The motto on the state seal, as defiend by the State of Maryland:

"The Latin legend on the border is the last verse of Psalm 5 (from the Latin Vulgate Bible). It translates as "with favor wilt thou compass us as with a shield."

From the Maryland State Archives [1]. --Boothy443 | comhrÚ 04:39, 10 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I've removed the motto mention, since there are two mottos and putting the translations of both mottos up there is unnecessary in an article not about it. This should be (and is) on Seal of Maryland. --tomf688^(talk) 04:42, Apr 10, 2005 (UTC)

Agreed, thats probley for the best any way, i was getting tried of the anon rv the translation, so i figured i put the translation as defined by the state here as a refrence. --Boothy443 | comhrÚ 04:59, 10 Apr 2005 (UTC)

[edit] U.S. District Court

Shouldn't the reference to the U.S. District Court be updated to reflect the fact that there are now two judicial divisions sitting in Baltimore and Greenbelt? 216.214.103.34 22:35, 11 Apr 2005 (UTC)

I've made this update. 216.214.103.34 14:43, 14 Apr 2005 (UTC)