Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1874-02-27
The Maryland Legislature.
sen ATE.


standing and select committees To "a
mend Article 45, Public General Laws,
Husband and W ife, by adding Il new sec
ton, with amendments, which were adopt
ed, and the bill ordered engrossed. This
bill provides that the husband shall in no
way be liable for any debts of his wife con
tracted previous to marriage. Also favor
ably House bill, relating To attachment OF
wages, CIR. Fenton's bill, which was read
a second time. Also, tavorabiy, to add a
new section to article 81. Pub. Gen. Laws,
to follow section 40, and provide for SUI
persedeas of judgments Of atfirmance or de
novo judgments on appeal from Justices
of the Peace; read first time.
On motion Of Mr. Phelps, it was ordered
that the committee on Finance inquire
into the expediency of reporting bill,
providing that all interest accruing on
money, deposited by the proper authori-
ties in banks or moneyed institutions be
longing to the State. shall be paid over to
the Treasurer. and disbursed by him in
payment of the current expenses of the
State. 1t was also ordered, on motion OF
Mr.. Phelps, that the committee on Finance
inquire into the propriety OF providing by
law, that no portion of the money belong
ing to the State of Maryland shall be de
posted for safe keeping IN any bank or
other moneyed institution of this State,
which has hitherto failed or refused to
comply with the laws of the State.
The Senate bill relating 10 the sale Of
spirituous or fermentcd liquors in Danes
Quarter District, Somerset county, submit
ting the question to vote of the electors
-, raj rfa
up on its second reading.
protracted and animated discussion
ensued. participated in 10y Senators Davis,
Earle, Brattan, Stevens and Tuck, IN which
the question of local option, and the me-
rits of this bill, was discussed in all Its
bearings, constitutional, legal, financial
and moral.
Mr. Brattan urged the passage of the
bill, and argued that its constltut!onailt!
could not be called in question, similar
acts having heretofore been passed and
their validity not questioned. lie replied
AT some length 10 Mr.. Davis, and state,!
that the people in Danes Quarter district
were nearly 10 a man IN favor OF such i
law.
Mr.. Stevens made brief speech, IN
which he avowed himself in favor OF local
option, which, he said. he had never done
publicly, before
Mr.. Tuck said notwithstanding the opin-
ion of Mr.. Brattan, there was grave ques-
ton of the constitutionality of such an act
and able iurists had this doubt.
Mr. Tuck read from section 3. artists Is. !
same article. and coutended tina: on the
fulilIment of these requirements bills be
came laws. He denied the right of the
General Assembly 10 submit IL vote OF
the people the question whether law
should take effect. After = bill had pass
ed, in accordance with the Constitution, II
was law, even should the people vote u
gainst il. The General Assembly was the
only law making power.
Mr.. Blake asked how il was with ap-
preparations made by the City Council OF
Baltimore which had been submitted 10 a
vote of the people.
Mr. Tuck-I was just coming to that
point. There is a special provision IN the
Constitution for the submission of such
questions To the voters of the city.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Tuck's remarks,
Mr. Davis submitted an order referring
the bill To the committee on Judicial Pro
ceedings, and that said committee inquire
into its cousttutionality and report there
on at an early day, which was adopted.
The Senate then, , o'clock, adjourned,
and stands adjourned until Tuesday next.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Staylor offered an order that even
ing sessions of the House be held At 5
o'clock on Tuesday, " ednesday and Thurs
day of next week; adopted. By Mr.
Maclin, that the committee of Ways and
Means inquire and report the expediency
of taxing every species of property in this
State; adopted. BY Mr.. Merryman, that
the employees of this House shall not alb
sent themselves from the place where ser
vices are required during the session, with
out leave of the Chief Clerk adopted
The following leaves to introduce bills
were granted: To Mr. Robey, to amend
chapter 294 of the Local Laws of Prince
Georges county. To Mr.. Latchford, to re-
peal section of an act of 1874 of Prince
Georges county, in relation to killing
hawks and owls. To Mr.. Brown, for the
appointment of a general inspector and
four assistant flour inspectors by the Gov
ernor. To Mr.. Stake, to amend the char
ter Of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad
passengers and freight passing from the
Western Maryland Railroad at the same
rate per mile as is charged for passengers
and through freight on said Baltimore
and Potomac Railroad.
Mr.. Freaner presented an unfavorable
report from the Judiciary committee or
the several petitions asking a change il
the death penalty to imprisonment; report
adopted. Also unfavorably upon the bill
amending article II, section %, of the Gen
eral Law, in regard to fees OF States At
torneys; adopted. Favorable report from
the Judiciary committee on the House
bill amending the 10th article of the Gen
eral Laws, title Trustee" providing fol-
the removal of trustee, under a will, il
he does not bond within a certain time
also on the Senate bill amending attach
nieht proceedings; also on the House bill
to re-codify the General Laws of the State
and to provide for the payment and pur,
chase Of copies thereof when printed; also
on the Senate bill amending the Iesta-
mentary Laws of the State; also on the
House bill to repeal and re-enact section
20, article % of the General Laws title
County Commissioners" SO that no pub
lie road shall be opened through the gar
den, yard, or burial grounds of any person
without consent. Favorable report from
the committee Oh Inspections on the House