The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1884-01-26
The q. s. Senatorship-The Printing Bill
-Commotion Over the Labor Bills
New Bills Introduced -Balti-
more County Visitors,
Etc, ETC., Etc.

place between Senators Moore, Burchinal and
Delegate Randall, and the latter uttered the sig
nifcant phraze, "The time has come, strike."-
SeDator Moore, stationing himself in front of the
Speaker, asked attention, which being granted he
expressed his desire to change his vote. The at
tention of all was arrested his name was called (;
81 change my vote in favor of John NJ. Robinson,
of Queen Anne's county" At once Mr.. Randall
followed suit and others sprang to their feet, when
the Democrats took in the whole situation, and
then ensued a scene of widest confusion and a
perfect pandemonium. Men gesticulating and
shouting at the top of their voices all demanding
to be heard the Speaker pounding with his gavel
and demanding order; the command to the Ser
geant-at Arms to take charge of members; the
repeated changing of votes ofthe Republican mem
bers to Robinson the thunderstruck appearance
of the Groome, Thomas and Heating men, and the
confusion worse COMPOUNDED when the Queen
Anne's delegates boted Robinson and went over
to Wilson. This last capped the climax, and fol-
lowing right afterwards Mr. Gunther, of Baltimore
city, changing from Thomas to Wilson, the wild
est kind of a stampede took place and Baltimore
city's down soiid for Wilson,. The
Speaker directed that the roll be re called so that
members ght know how they had voted, and
probably many of them found out for the first time
how they really had voted. 1t showed 6S votes
for Judge Wilson. Senator Slingluff, in manly,
direct speech showed his position as we'll could
having voted against Judge Robinson, thus vir-
tually withdrew him as candidate, and he was
constrained to vote for Judge Wilson as his next
choice" Had Queen Anne's delegates stood firm
the result would have been different, but Judge
Wilson is as good man as Judge Robinson, and
as far removed from any overshadowing influence
of bossism. The result is due to the courage of
the Republicans, and particularly Senator Moore,
and is so far reaching in its ultimate effects as to
deserve more than passing notice. 1t strikes a
deadly blow at the Ubiquitous caucus system. 1t
is a victory for the rebellious independents. In
defeating Heating machine politics gets terrible
blow on the head. 1t strengthens the backbone
of the new Comptroller and gives him chance to
show clean hand and shake himself free from
any attempted bosssm. 1t opens the way for
Robert NJ. McLane to succeed A. P. German two
years hence. 1t proves that VIM. Pinkney Whyte
is not yet dead by long odds, and above all 1t
demonstrates that there is in the peoples repre-
sentatives that inherent strength of purpose that
is marching steadily onward in the line of reform
and better state of things in our State govern
ment
The new printing BY contract bill meets with
universal appreciation and is Justly regarded as
something far in the advanced road of practical,
common sense legislation. Mr.. 0ffutt, who intro
duced the bill, is in receipt of numerous letters
commencing it, and it would be good idea if our
citizens generally would take the time and trou-
BILE to write to our delegates, encouraging them in
their honest effort to improve county matters. 1
am sure that take pains to give your readers
comp lete inside views of what is going on, and l
also give members great credit for their efforts,
hence if the people would take hold of the facts
given them and let the members hear from them,
they would feel the consciousness of appreciation
and it would make them still more Jealous and
earnest.
Cecil county is preparing new road law. There
foot in IF daft
and in my next will endeavor to give the points
of the bill.
Is 1t possible to make some needed changes in
the Treasurer's Office? is one of the onundrums
now puzzliug the minds of the members.
The turnpike question also is of great interest,
as is evidenced by the inquiries received and the
delight expressed by our county citizens. Ny re-
marks about the Havre-de. Grace turnpike in last
weeks UNION, have evidently struck a tender,
sympathetic chord.
The Maryland Central Railroad tried hard to
get passed its bill amending the charter to
increase the number of directors from 13 to Is in
time for the election the 2lst, but failed. 1t is
after other privileges also.
The city annexation bill is being prepared and
will be pushed in due time.
The Constitutional convention is also being
worked up. This seems to be a measure aimed
more particularly at the judicial system than
would be an improvement.
Regarding the labor bills sent down last week
by Governor McLane, and which seem to cause
much commotion among manufacturers and capt.
talists find there is likewise criticism of them
among the representatives of trades unions. Some
of these bills go further than they had asked,
others not far enough, notably that about
children under 10 years of age not being allowed
to work. The trades say this must be altered to
IA years of age. Then in reference to convict
contract labor. They want first, the abolition of
the contract system second, only as many pris-
oners as are necessary shall be employed in the
production of articles needed By the State institu
lions; third, that only eight hours per day shall
be days work in all prisons and reformatories,
the other two hours to be devoted to mental and
moral improvement of the inmates fourth, that a
portion of the earnings of prisoners be put to their
credit, from which shall be deducted the expenses
of their trial, relieving the State that much, and
whatever is left be paid regularly to their fami
lies if they have any, if they have none, then to
be kept until expiration of sentence and paid to
themselves fifth, that all prisoners not needed on
work for the State shall be employed under the
"piece price system" that no more than twenty be
employed at one branch of business, and that a
Board of Appraisers, consisting oftwo wage work
ers, two business men and one merchant with the
warden as an advisor, be appointed to appraise
the value of the products, to prevent such goods
going upon the market at less than market rates.
There is also manifest disapproval of the idea
that women shall only work eight hours. The
trades unions have a representative down here in
Mr.. Thos. C. Weeks, and this whole subject will
be handled vigorously and pushed energetically.
What do the manufacturers and capitalists intend
to do about it +? This question is answered by the
meeting held this week in Baltimore city. and it
will be seen that such vigorous action has been
determined upon as must result either in a con-
fict between these opposing elements-Labor and
Capital-or a large modification of these labor
bills. But am one of those who think that there
is never any necessity for conflicts between these
powers. 1 may be utopian, but if the desire ex-
lists, fair treatment and right understanding of
the situation always works out harmony and mu-
tual benefit with prosperity to ALL
The general commotion the labor bills leads
to quiet under-current of thought and specula-
ton as to whether making eight hours a legal
working day in this State will not cause great
breaking up of all our manufactures and the re-
moval of the plant and facilities elsewhere. 1t is
plainly manifest that such law in Maryland
would be local in its effects, and Destroying us
would enhance the prosperity of other sections
therefore it is deemed iLexpedient to pass such a
law the idea being thrown out that il would be
impossible to make it available without great in :
jury. If it were National law that would be
quite different matter altogether, because then
all sections would be alike and no one would have
an undue advantage OYER the other. Now will
these changes most benefit or most njure the work.
ing classes? These are points of political eoono-
my requiring careful thought, thorough compre-
hension and such nice discrimination to avoid
injuring the wage Garner or the wage payer.
frankly confess that to me it seems this question
is the biggest" subject this any other Legisla
ture has had to grappIe with for years, and only
the best of judgment should be given it.
There has been a vigorous effort made this week
in the interest of the Maryland journal to break
up the printing bill of Mr.. Offutt's, which, when
passed, will require all public printing to be given
out by contract to the lowest bidder at so much
per EN- or line. The delegation, however, know
that this is such practical reform measure in the
interest of the taxpayers that they more than
hesitate to put themselves on record against it,
with the exception of one member. IF the Nary
land Journal wants this printing cannot its pro-
z,=iata= h;d lilo Tho aEtn.a for = 2 Ihara - no