The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-04-05
Adjournment of the Legislature.

Journeu sane dle, at twelve O'CLOCK last Mon
day night During their session of ninety
days vast amount of legislation was done
the full effect of which can only be realized
as time elapses OF course, as always hap
pens, some acts of questionable propriety
were passed. and many things which should
have been done were left undone; but the
legislation OF the session, so far as has come
clearly to view, has been of more salutary
character than usual
The long pending dispute between the State
and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, in re-
lation to the capitation tax on the Washing
ton Branch, has been fairly adjusted in a
manner satisfactory to the Railroad company,
while the interests of the State have been
carefully guarded.
Another important law, of the propriety
of which we are not so certain, was the law
to issue the bonds Of the State, to the amount
of 100000, to repair the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal. The State has already invested
twenty-one million dollars in this enterprise,
from which no interest is derived, and it real
ly looks like throwing good money after bad
to invest any more in that quarter. We have
no doubt it would be much better for the
State to sell the Canal at public auction, to
the highest bidder.
The bill for an annual revision of assess
ments of property and providing for the ap-
pointment of Tax Commissioner, was final
ly passed, after much debate. This bill gives
the Commissioners of the several counties a
control over the revision of assessments
which they have never before had, and if
properly carried out will tend to equalize the
burden of taxation. 1t is believed that I'M
der this new law a large amount of property
owned by corporations, which has heretofore
escaped taxation, will be brought to light and
the corporations be compelled to pay their
quota for the protection afforded them by the
State.
The law granting pensions to soldiers Of
the war of 1912 was repealed, By this
means the State will save about $40, 900 every
year. The veterans named are allowed
pension of 500 a year by the United
States government, but the pensioner can in
no case receive more than that amount. If
the State pension is $50, the general govern
ment will only pay SIG. The State granting
no pensions, the United States will therefore
pay the full amount of 500.
Another general law, applicable to the
counties, the Importance and value of which
will be appreciated in the transaction of the
business Of our county courts, was one MAX
ing some changes in the method of drawing
jurymen. 1t was introduced by Senator
Stump and passed almost unanimously. 1t
provides that torty-eight jurymen shall be
drawn from Il box as heretofore. From the
entire number thus drawn the Judge shall
select the foreman of the grand jury. The
remaining torty-seven names are then to be
placed in box and the first twenty-five names
drawn theretrom, with the foreman previous
ly selected, are to constitute the grand jury.
The remainder will compose the petit Jury
The principal advantage of the law consists
in enabling the Judge to select at every
Term, competent and efficient foreman for
the grand jury,
MIR. Scott secured the passage OF law
authorizing the issue of life insurance policies
for the benefit of wife. children, dependent
relatives or creditors, and allowing the insur-
ed to assign the policy or his life at discre-
ton.
comparatively small amount of local
LEGISLATION for Hartford oounty ,,o, o,oo,ol
the people of the county having asked 70
very little. The following, we believe, in
cludes all the local laws passed for our coun-
ty:
Mr.. Vandiver's bill appropriating $500 for
the purpose OF erecting hay and cattle scales
at Havre de Grace his bill incorporating
Havre de Grace as city; and his bill pro-
hibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors with
in half mile of the Hartford county fair
grounds, during the annual exhibitions.
Mr. Scarboro's bill prohibiting the sale of
liquor within mile of Darlington Academy
Also his bill for the protection of game in
Hartford and Cecil counties. This bill allows
cartridges to be killed in Hartford county on
ly between the 10Th of October and the Goth
ofDecember, and also protects rabbits, pleas.
anlsand woodcock. IN Cecil county partridg-
es may be killed only between the LIST of No
yember and the Gath of December. A gen
eral game law was also passed, the provisions
OF which are very strict and the penalties
severe. A law was passed to prevent the
chOptinu n w ,tul at "a, ~.
law any wild fowl are killed at night, any
person who may have been seen with "A gun
in his possession in the neighbordoed of the
spot where the shot was fired, Immediately
before the firing, or Immediately afterwards,
can be arrested and made to give an account
of himself. The penalty for conviction of
shooting wild fowl at night is 800 fine and
six months imprisonment.
A law was also passed appointing two
additional magistrates for the Third District.
Senator Stump secured an annual appro-
priation of $1,000 for the Hartford County
Agricultural and Mechanical Association.
The present appropriation is $500.
Mr. Stump also introduced and had passed
law requiring the County Commissioners
10 pay cash to State witnesses for attendance
at court. These witnesses have heretofore
been obliged to wait an indefinite and often n
long time for their money, or else have their
certificates discounted at u large per centage
Another local law by Senator Stump was
an act authorizing the County Commission.
crs of Hartford county to condemn "Sod
landing" on Bush river, for the public use.
The Hartford delegation proved themselves
10 be prompt and energetic in the discharge
of their duties. They took an active part in
Che discussion Of every important public