The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1876-01-15
DOINGS 1T ANNAPOLIS.
From our Special Correspondent.

ANNAPOLIS, Jan. IL, 1876.
The hopes that were reused by the election of
Western Maryland Democrat and one who was
pledged to the Washington county platform to
the Speakership of the House, have been sud
denly disspated. 1t is the old story of ne CANT
de sole ct la man de fer.' The Ring, conscious
of its weakness, made bold dash into the camp
of the encmy-the Western Maryland Democrs-
cy-and captured the emily Democrat elected from
Hamilton's own county. What has it pro6ted
them ? whether by intention or by that mild and
gentle means of using the man when be does not
know it, it may be safely set down that the Ring
has every committee packed to suit its purpose
This is not the only advantage the Riag obtained
by electing the present Speaker but ii prevented
an open revolt against them very probably, had
they presented as their candidate enc knewn to
be in ''full communion" with them. What fur
Their profits will accrue to them from this invest
ment remains to be seen.
The ring, pushed to the wall, depends alone
upon selling its Offices of profit to those who
want position by deceving honest but short
sighted folks, through specious reasoning and in
genious sophistry, by ballot-box stufing, and by
brute force when these fail. 1t is playing this
gene now, and shows it in every movement il
has undertaken this session.
But the way of the transgressor has proved
hard. Never, for years at least, has session
witnessed upon its threshold, such a war OF
words and such terrific, if not sublime, parlia-
mentary battles. On the one side were the abi-
ity and minority of the House on the other was
the Ring and the majority. The battles were
sharp and decisive, but the defeated wore all the
laurels Of victory They felt that they had per-
formed their duty, and that the successful party
were only Fastening their inevitable doom.
Heretofore the Ring has had undisputed sway.
Every pet plan and project went smoothly
through legislative channels, and was safely an
chored without let or hindrance, in the volume
of laws orders and resolutions. Now, oppos-
ton meets them within the ranks, and Democrats
have determined that this thing must end. The
representatives Of this sentiment in the Demo-
cratic party found in the Legislature, not COW
ert foes, but open, avowed, uncompromsing en-.
emies. But will they avail anything They
will.
10 the vote to adopt Mr.. Hoblitzell's message
10 the Senate, announcing that it concurred in
its message-an unheardo procedure-te ap-
point joint committee to wait upon Mr.. Carroll
and inform him of his election as Governor the
vote stood yeas 49, nays, "a. What does il
mean That there are "a men in the Legislature
who think that charges OF alleged frauds can be
proved. It means more-if convinced that
wrongs have been perpetrated, they will right
them. Then il the alleged wrongs and frauds in
men of the General Assembly will vote for the
uDseating of II members from that city on that
question, II who voted for Mr.. Hoblitzslls mes
sage cannot vote, as they are interested. Now
subtract that II from 43, and how does the vote
stand-Ring %, ANYTHING A.
As to the debate on Monday last on the cues
ton of the message of Mr.. Hobitzell-the ability
and the weight were plainly on the side OF the
opposition. The role of the Ring was to adopt
this message, and thus by 'side-issue' pat Mr.
Carroll in his seat and thus fasten him there, for
it is feared if once the House Of Delegates puts it
on record that it has found one person to be
elected Governor, that is the end OF it. There is
no going behind that return 1t is the verdict Of
jury from which there is no appeal. The eppe-
sition were prepared, and Mr.. Donaldson present.
ed his amendment proposing to investigate the
charges Of fraud before the Inauguration, and
supported the motion in an able speech in which
the young delegate gave evidence Of talent and
promise. The advocates of Mr. Hoblzells mes
sage made poor work of defending their measure,
and the hot opposition they met with was unex-
pected. Their sole reliance in this case appears
10 be to kill off any case Mr. Harris may establish
by parliamentary tactics To listener and
ooker-on the arguments and the stratsgems Of
the Ring were laughabe and contemplate.
They had their work to do and they did it, in the
language OF an aoIe opponent, like nock OF
sheep" and may add, with about as much
sense as that unthinking animal generally acts.
Mr.. Constable in this matter fulfilled, and more
the great expectations that had been raised for
him. He is about 81 years old, and his very ap-
pearance shows that there is brave spirit be-
hind that cultured face and in that manly form.
His argument was unanswerabe, his diction pure,
his style fluent his manner pleasing-and the eff
fort reached the sublime, in the calm, dignfed
and convincing appeal be made for right and jus
tce. In repartse be was particularly happy, and,
as to interrogations, he made one that hoored Mr.
Gill, who also unfortunately asked him a ques-
ton sometime afterward in return, and received
in reply an answer that affected senSbly the lob
by against even its predictions for the Ring.
Nothing of il iportance has yet cen moved in
Baltimore county local matters, but understand
that the following legislation is contemplated by
the members for your county
/. A new tax law-to abolish the system of
collectors, and to allow also liberal discount for
prompt payment OF taxes.
2. A change in the road law.
s. change in the school laws
4. A complete change in regard to the office of
Treasurer in Baltimore county.
s. A change In the law relating to County
Commissioners.
g. A dog law. R.