The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-02-12
Maryland Legislature.

FRIDAY,--In tho Senate select com.
mitice to investigate the accounts of the
Chesapeake aud Ohio Canal Company
fepoFtcd that Thomas +. McCardell, editor
Of he Cumberland Times, had been sum.
m0ntd before the committee to testify in
regard to statement made by him, or by
his anthority, in his newspaper, that the
pIesidcnt and Directors of the Canal
Company directly or indirectly had re.
eeifed compensation or consideration
from The preferred bondholders Of that
company, Mr. McCardel in reply said
that Bis information on the subject was
wholly from director in the canal com
nsny but he absolutely refused to give the
nnnlo of that director. The committee
being IN doubt whether it could compel the
witness to testify or ask his commital to
Jail for contumaey, caused leave to be
asked 10 introduce bill rcmedying the
defect in the code in this particular,.by
giving The same power in the premises
exercised by the United State Senate and
iis committees In the meantime the
committee say that, having the power, they
will test the truth or falsity of McCardcl's
statcnents by the examination of all the
directors and bondholders Of the company.
The report was adopted. The committee
on federal relations reported resolutions,
which were read first time, in reference
TO the general governments interference
with the Legislature of Louisiana, stating
that In the opinion of the MARYLAND Leg.
stature the President has committed a
most grave error in the premises which
the i.egislatnre is restrained from con
demning as his action deserves only from
respect to his high office. A bill was
faxpnbly reported to take the sense of
voters In certain districts OF Allegany aud
Garrett counties for and against the cree
tion Of new county out of those two
coun,ses. In the matter of the bill for
the assessment OF property heretofore or
hereafter omitted from assessment, it was
AMENDED so as torestrict assessment to the
owneis OF property at the time, of ossess-
menk aad 'he hlli was cngrossed for a
third reading. The bill for the promotion
Of aeficutural, mechanical and household
10 the several counties was rejected
for Want Of constitutional majority, but
was reconsidered. \ bill was passed
exemptug all cities and towns from the
TAX o. dogs. The Judiciary committc re-
ported favorably the bill providing for the
appointment of magistrates and constables
and thc payment of fines aud penalties.
Ad]onrned until Tuesday.
10 the House, there was Il first reading
Of The bill to prevent fraudulent voting at
elections, The bill providing for taxing
fallroad companies 10 Maryland for county
and municipal purposes, was read IA second
time The House adjourned until Mon.
duyspending consideration in committee
Of the whole of a bill authorizing the West
orn Maryland Railroad Company to con-
tract for the use OF the tracks Of any other
railroad company, and to hold and acquire
real estate for such purpose. In this
connection an amendment was rejected
requiring that the tax on the railroad
companys property shall be the same as is
imposed on the property of individuals.
Several minor bills were passed.
MoNpAY.-Thc Senate was not in
session..
In the House petitions were presented
for repeal OF the BARRIERS Sunday law ;
also several petitions for local option and
against repeal Of the law where tits now
III force \ bill was passed to amend the
charter OF the Western Maryland Railroad
company. r.E n fF Z
TrEsDAY-ln the Senate large mum.
Der Of petitions were presented.
lu the House an order was adopted
which is preliminary to an investigation
Of tees now received by the clerk Of Bal
timore city Court OF Common Pleas.
Leave was granted for the introduction of
blu TO fund the Hartford county schools
lndebtednoss BY issuing bonds and levyine
= tax for their liquidation. The remain
DIT of the days session was devoted tc
oonsideration of the bill to change the
present. system Of appointing justices Of
The peace and constables in Baltimore city
bomc interestin!s discussion was had on
Pforosed amendments, but no conclusion
Easrcached
WEDNEsDAY.-In the Senate favorable
report was made on the bill authoriziBe
thd Punishment by fine or Imprisonment o.
uitnesses who refuse to testify before leg
1slatiye committees. A bill to incorporate
the National Railroad Company Of Mary
lund was referred TO the corporations com
uittce. X bill was ordered engrosset
appropriating ten thousand dollars fol
expenses of the State fisheries commission
andto define the duties of the commission
. i... ,nut nnuio1 differentiation btu mae an,