The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-01-12
Legislative Notes.

The Legislature met on Tuesday. In the
Senate there was considerable discussion over
the time of electing Comptroller and Police
Commissioner. A majority of the Democrats
wanted to dispose of the matter at once, so as
to proceed with the regular business of the
session, but Senators Lane, Slingluff, Shriver,
Turpin and Gill, with the Republican Sena-
tors, defeated proposition to elect on Jann-
airy 10th, and February It'll was the day set.
A number of local bills were introduced.
In the House the Committee ON organiza-
ton, of which Mr.. Baesman, of Carroll, was
a member, announced the minor officers,
among whom was Alpha NJ. Ruby, of Carroll,
who were duly chosen. A committee was
appointed TO arrange plans for celebrating the
25Oth anniversary of the landing Of the Mary
land Pilgrims, and Mr.. Leeds, of Carroll, is q
member of the committee. Leaves we're
granted to introduce bills as follows: To in
crease the fine for carrying concealed weapons
to S25; to regulate the sale and inspection OF
fertilizers to establish an agricultural exper-
mental station at Pikesville; to amend the
act of 1880 relative to the collateral inheritance
tax; to provide for the establishment and sup
port of the Maryland Institution for lmbe-
cile and Feeble Minded Children and Per-
sons" at the arsenal at Pikesville, Baltimore
county; by Mr.. Baesman, of Carroll, to Gre
ate a new election district in Carroll comfy;
by the same, to sanction the bequest of
Florence Patterson Carroll to the Springfield
Church, in Carroll county.
The standing committees were announced
in both houses on Wednesday. Senator
Shriver is chairman of the Committee on In
ternal Improvements, and a member OF the
committees on Finance, Agriculture and
Labor, and Printing. Delegate Leeds Is
chairman of the Committee on Manufactures,
and member of the Committee on Corpora
tons Delegate Rooms is a member OF the
committees on Colored Population and Cur
rency; Delegate Abbott is on the committees
on Education and Expiring Laws; Delegate
Baesman on the committees on Elections,
Public Records and Roads and Highways.
On Wednesday Mr.. Baesman obtained leave
to introduce bills to incorporate the Sykes
vile and Eldersburg Turnpike Company and
to incorporate the Springfield Hotel Company
of Sykesville Mr. Leeds obtained leave to
introduce bill to enable Union Bridge to
issue bonds for the purpose of introducing
water into that town.
Mr.. Morrison, of Frederick, has given
notice that he will introduce bill to tax
mortgages.
One of the most important matters to come
before the Legislature will be bill proposing
to call a constitutional convention. 1t is I'M
derstood the draft of such a bill has been
prepared, and that it provides for a special
election at the same time the vote is taken in
1884 for President of the United States and
congressman. At the same time the vote of
the people is taken for or against a conven-
ton delegates to it will be voted for, who, if
the call is sustained, will meet at Annapolis
in January, 1885, and prepare the new con-
stitution for submission to the popular vote in
November of the same year, thus anticipating
by two years the requirements of the consti-
tuition of 1867 in this particular.
Hon. Richard C. Hollyday was appointed
Secretary of State by Gov. McLane on Thurs
day and confirmed by the Senate. In the
Senate Mr.. Brace, Republican, of Allegany,
obtained leave to introduce bill to admit
colored lawyers to the bar in Maryland.
In the House bill was introduced to amend
the law relating to appeals from magistrates,
so that no appeal shall be tried unless the
costs have been paid to the justice; an
other bill to abolish tobacco inspections an
other to give justices the right to amend their
proceedings. Both houses adjourned on
Thursday until Tuesday next.