The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1880-04-09

Adj Ournment OF the Legislature.

Monday night IL Is dlfncult 10 ascertain,
until the laws are published, the number and
character of the reforms adopted, but it is he
lieved that ON the whole the Legislature has
acted with prudence and wisdom.
All the recommendations made by Governor
Hamilton were not carried out by the Legis- |
lature, but the Governor may take credit TO |
himself for much of wise and useful lcgisla- |
ton that has been accomplished. The habit |
allowing too much important business to re-
main unfinished until the last few days of the
session, was cause of the failure to pass
some of the measures recommended by the
Governor and approved by the people of the
State. The Senate however, was in marked
contrast to the House, having dispatched
promptly all the public business that came
before it.
The public school law has been left I'M
changed, and the appointment ofschool COM
missioners remains as heretofore in the hands
of the judges of the circuit courts. The cat
lie and hay scales will be leased, but the
weighing of cattle is left optional with buyers
and sellers. The bounty laws, an expensive
relic of the war, have been repealed A bill
for refunding the defense loan at lower
rate of interest has been passed, The oyster
law has been amended. The appropriations
have been taken away from certain colleges,
and the militia appropriation has been cut
down to such an extent as to break up all the
militia companies except the favored Fifth
Regiment. The appropriations to agricultu-
raj societies have been cut off, A stringent
and useful law to prevent gambling has been
passed.
The Adjutant Generals salary has been re-
duced The bill to encourage manufactures
ut Havre de Grace has been passed. The bill
TO punish the use of profane language has
also become law.
The proposition to tax mortgages was
wisely defeated, and the bill to lcgalizc pri-
mary elections also failed to pass. The bill
TO modify the existing Sunday law, so as to
allow the sale of ice cream, soda water, &c,
in the city, and TO permit excursions by land
or water on Sundays also failed to become
law.
The new registration law also failed in the
House, not having received constitutional
majority. The responsibility for its defeat
rests with the Republicans and a number of
Democrats, led by Mr.. Damon.
The bill giving the city of Baltimore con-
troll of the street car question was also smolh-
cred 10 death.
During the session the Governor has vetoed
three bills, viz: TO allow justices to dis
charge the duties of noaries; regulating ira
dcrs' licenses, and providing for the next cleo.
ton ofjudgeS, in lieu ofwhch Il constitutions
nj amendment was passcd-thc only one
Of seven or eight constitutional amendments
which have been proposed. The Governor
is likely to pocket several bills which have
been passed.
St Johns College will receive $4,000, and
the Maryland Agricultural College Sc, 600 in
1884, and only s. in 1882, contingent upon
surrendering control of the college to the
State, to be hereafter converted into an agri-
cultural experiment station.
The closing scenes of the Legislature were
more decorous and BETTING the occasion than
those of former years. In the Senate Mr.
Steiner offered an order, which was unani.
mously adopted, thanking the President, Hon
Herman Stump, for the quiet, dignificd and
impartial manner with Which he had per-
formed his duties. At midnight President
Stump delivered his valedictory address, as
follows:
"Ss,,ators-The time limited by the constitu-
ton for the session of the Legislature of 1850
has expired, and 1t becomes my duty, as your
presiding officer, TO bring its deliberations to
close. Before doing SO permit me to say few
words For ninety days we have been zealously
iuborlng together for the public veal. Diversi-
ty of opinion has existed at times as TO the best
mode Of accomplishing this great end, but you
have shown in calm debate, in the excitement
of the hour, in the heat of argument, in the
moment OF victory, or when suffering from the
modification Of defeat, that sin"lcncss of pur-
pose which should actuatc Senators in lcrislat-
ing for the good ofthcir fellow men. Difference
and consideration for the views of each other
have marked your daily intercourse, and prcscrv-
cd the dignity iii" Senate without my intcrvcn-
ton
"What you have accomplished is now mat.
Ter Of history, part of the law of the land
and 1t is not for us to sit in Judgment upon our
acts. Ii belongs To our constituents 10 render
verdict ofapproval ordisapproval, as we may
merit ii ut their hands When Won are inform
ed that four hundred aud fifteen bills haze origi-
mated in your body, and three hundred and
ninety more from the House have been acted
upon, some estimate can he made of the
amount of labor performed 10y YOU and the oili
GERS of the Senate. This is an evidence of YOUR
strict attention to The business of the State and
is, as am informed, unprecedented
''You have originated bills to carry ont and
redeem the pledges made 10 the people during
the campaign Of lSi9 Some have become laws,
for which you deserve the thanks of grateful
people. Those that have fallen by the waySide
have been matters of doubtful reform, or where
dsagircmcnts existed Il" To matters of detail he.
tween The two Houses Enough, however, re-
mains part of the legislation of this session
10 show your earnest endeavor faithfully TO
measure up 10 the full expectation of the PEG.
pie
"To the officers of the Senate is due the hirb-
est commentator for the exemplary manner in
which they have scvcrally performed the various
duties assigned 10 them. The work of the ses-
sion has been promptly prepared and dispatched
without delay, They will accept my thanks for
their efficiency and politrncss ut ali times, and
especially for the kindly spirit prompting this
floral tribute which they have placed on the
Presidents desk This morning. Long after the
lowers shall have withcrrd away the rccolicc.
tion of this delicate manifestation Of their ap.
probation will linger in my memory
g And now, Senators, comes the most disagree
able duty-parting with YOU No doubt all of
you rejoice that our public duties and response.
biitics are At an end and will hasten homeward
with glad hearts, In resume the avucations of
private life With me, however, this parting is
tlloyed with pain, and sadness mnges with the
hour was stranger 10 some of you when Sc
lected as your presiding officer but | have become
so accustomed TO daily contactwith you, and YOU
have become so endeared TO ME By yonr kind in.
diligence, generous fOrbearance and uniform
courtesy, that have forgotten the time when
knew you not, and shall never forget the pleas
ant "reminiscences of the session Of 1880 PRAY
forgive me my shortcomings and errors of iudr
mant; blot out from your remembrance any
matter which has excited Your crnsure, and be-.
lieye me that | have honestly and faithfully.
without fear, favor or pariiality discliurped MY