The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-02-21

measures to be laid before the eau
Gus, and then submitted for action to
the two houses of the legislature. OF
the four officers named, the Cover
nor will be the "lone star" in desir-
ing the abolition of the offices of tax
! and insurance commissioners, and he
will have only two or three votes
with him in the caucus committee,
with five always against him. as re-
CARDS the abolition of these offices.
The Governor and Comptroller Kea-
ting are, however, fully agreed in re-
gard to the uselessness of the oyster
navy, as at present organized. The
Comptroller, at the last meeting OF
the State Board of Fisheries, as here
tofore stated, recommended that the
oyster police be reduced to two stea-
mers to keep guard that none but IL
censed vessels dredge in the waters
of the State. The tidewater counties
have no representation on the caucus
committee, but it is not believed that
the members are willing to go so far
for the present. The special Com
mittee on Oyster Legislation has
prepared the draft of bill for a gen
eral reorganization of the oyster
navy. The bill provides that the APP
pointment of the members of the
police force shall be vested in the
governor, and not in the State Board
of Fisheries; that the use of the stea-
mer Leila be dispensed with, thus
saving with one stroke at least So 900
annually to the State; reducing the
pay of the captain of each sloop from
81, 200 to 5000, and the wages of the
other hands from 5000 to $500. An
other change in the law is that the
owner of the vessel, and not the
hands on the boat, shall be response
bic for violations of the oyster law.
1t is likely that, as compromise, the
plan of the special committee will
be adopted, though it is known that
there is opposition TO the project of
taking the appointments of the mem
bers from the Board of Fisheries.
In regard to the tobacco inspections
a compromise will also be effected by
the repeal of compulsory inspections
and the leasing of one or two of the
warehouses, and allowing the Coy
ernor to appoint one inspector for
each warehouse. The bill already
prepared makes the Board of Public
Works of the governor,
comptroller and treasurer as SUPER
visory board-take charge of these
buildings, lease them by bids or 9TH
erwise, as it may deem fit, and exact
such bond from the lessees as they
may think necessary, to ensure a
faithful performance of the work on
the part of the lessee. If no oDiec-
ton is made to the latter clause, Civ
ing the whole matter in regard to
the disposition of the warehouse
property oyer to the Board of Public
Works, the managers will make no
opposition to this plan of leasing the
warehouses. TO do away with the
land office would nece ssitate consti-
tutional amendment and an election,
and there is therefore, some doubt
whether there will be an agreement
on the question.
In regard to the cattle and hay
scales it Is understood that the Cow
ernor's wishes will be gratified, and
these institutions abolished. A dele
CATION of cattle dealers is expected at
Annapolis to urge the retention of
the present system.
The Registration law will undergo
some immaterial changes. Governor
Hamilton. as is well known, desires
a completed change, with officers of
registration for each 500 voters but
it is doubtful whether the temper of
the Democratic members is such that
a measure of this nature can be forced
through the caucus. The country
members oppose new registration
on account of the expense involved
and will strenuously oppose anything
of this kind. The Governor fayors
a constitutional amendment so that
the Registration law may apply only
to Baltimore, and it is thought that
the managers, yielding to the Cover.
nor, may concede to him this point.
GOVERNOR VS.. COMMITTEE.
ANNAPOLIS, February 16.-The
conference between the Governor.
Comptroller, Treasurer and Attorney
General was held tonight. All the
members of the caucus COMMITTEES
were present, end it lasted four hours,
adjourning at midnight. The con-
ference discussed only bills for new
registration of voters and legalizing
primary elections, other matters be.
ing only incidentally referred to.
Members promised to do the best
they could. The Governor thought
II