The Democratic advocate., 1878-02-09

/ FRIDAY-In the Senate favorable report
was made on bill to impose tax upon all
ardent spirits sold in the State. An unfavor-
able report on the House bill in reference to
attachments was reconsidered, and the bill
recommitted. Several bills Of local nature
were passed.
! In the House joint committee was ordered
/ to investigate expenditures by the late comp
I troller, in accordance with his request.
| Both Houses adjourned until Tuesday.
/ TuEsDAY.-In the Senate bill to pay DIR.
/ Z. W. Chaucellor's salary as secretary Of the
/ State board OF health was considered. A
motion 70 strike out the enacting clause of
/ the bill was warmly debated, but rejected by
a vote of yeas 4, nays Is.
/ In the House, Messrs Morris and Hunni-
I chen, recently elected members to ill vacan-
/ cIes, IN the Baltimore city delegation, were
sworn IN. Leave was granted to introduce
bill 50 annex the belt to Baltimore city,
and the bill was referred to q select commit
tee of three from the city, three from Balti-
more county, and one from the State at large.
Resolutions were reported by a select com
mittee IN favor of reduction of the federal tax
on manufactured tobacco from "a cents per
/ pound, with proper rebate for stocks on hand.
A bill was passed TO amend .he law regulating
the working and ventilation of coal mines In
Garrett and Allegany counties
! WEDSEsDAY.-In the Senate the directors
OF the Chesapeake and Ohio canal were re-
quested to furnish the Senate with a detailed
statement of gross receipts and expenditures
since 1872. Untayorable report was made by
the committee on judicial proceedings on a
bill amending the attachment law. The bill to
amend tbs Baltimore Safe Deposit Compan's
charter so as to require the directors to make
returns Off condition to the Supreme Bench
OF Baltimore city, and TO extend the com
pany's powers, and in reference to investment
OF its funds and capital, was ordered to be en-
| crossed, by 10 yeas to IL nays. The bill pro-
l posing to further prevent cruelty 70 animals
was defeated by striking out the enaciinr
clause, by vote Of l3 yeas TO IL nays. Bills
were passed to pay the salary of DIR. Chancel-
lor as secretary of the State board of health;
to prevent cattle and geese from running at
| large IN Towsontown. Also several local bills
In the House, committee was ordered to
investigate the accounts and condition of the
State Normal School. Unfavorable report
was made upon petition Of Maryland Acad-
emy OF Sciences for an appropriation of $10,-
600. Joint resolutions in reference to redue-
ton OF the federal tax on tobacco were passed
by yeas 4S, nays Is. Bills were passed to
punish officers of corporations for making
fraudulent reports, and to extend the jurisdic-
ton Of magistrates to cases of petty larceny.
Mr.. Rayner has introduced bill amending
the law of 1876 for the general valuation and
assessment of property in this State. The
only change is TO exempt hospitals, asylums,
charitable schools and benevolent institutions
from taxation as in 1874. The militia bill,
which has been reported by Mr. Yandiver,
chairman Of the militia committee, appropri-
ates $50, 900 to the existing militia organiza-
tlons of the State, including Baltimore city
/ Tor 1878. and 900 for 1879. Out of this
is to come the salary of the adjutant general
and the cost of keeping the armory at Easton.
The fund is to be distributed by the Governor
as commander-in-chief from money in the
treasury not otherwise appropriated. There
is no provision for the increase of the militia
force, though no restriction is placed on the
organization of volunteer companies and the
regulation of the same by bylaws to be APP
proved by the General Assembly.
THURsDAY.-In the Senate the vote AGAINST
striking out the enacting clause of the bill TO
prevent cruelty to animals was reconsidered,
and the bill was referred to the Baltimore city
delegation. The school appropriation bill by
; the late comptroller was considered and laid
over. On leave obtained Mr.. McLane intro
duced bill to settle the long-pending con-
troversy between the State and the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company up to January
10, 1868, the substance of which is that the
company shall pay certain sum TO the State
in lieu of all claims against that company by
the State, and that hereafter there shall be a
payment by said company to the State of one
half of one per cent. on the gross receipts of
the railroad within the State, including that
ofits Washington Branch road line
The House was occupied in passing bills OF
local character.