The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-02-08
LETTER FROM ANNAPOLIS.
Gov. McI.ane-A Useful Delegai lon from
Hartford. The hartford APpOintees--
Ilash.S Self

The ancient city of Annapolis presents about
past, except about the Capitol, the grounds
around which have been much improved and
beautifled. The old iron railing has been reInov-
ed and replaced by neat granite curb. The
interior of the building, also. has been handsome
ly painted and otherwise adorned, making the
structure as creiltahe inside as 1t is venerable
looking outside.
Applicants for Office are, as usual, as plenty as
backherri.s, but GOV. McLane is thoroughly
Democratic. and il they can not extract "a pro-
mise from him, they are certain, at least, of ut-
teous reception and patient hearing while their
"pre-eminant claims and remarkable fitness
are set forth by themselves or their friends
Gov. Mciane is old fashioned enough to think
that the Democratic platform on which he was
elected meant something more than idle words
and seems determined to carry out, as far as he
| can, the pledges therein contained. He is in full
accord with the Democratic majority In III e Leg
islature and hisadrice AMI recommendatio will
be respectfully listened to even IL they are not al
ways followed.
The Legislature appears TO contain many new
men, unused to the ways of legislative bodies
but honest, sensible and industrious. If many
grand flights of oratory are not heard. time Is
better spent in useful work. Among the various
delegations that from Hartford is one of the most
active and energetic in the House. They are all
thoroughly independent, not afraid to express
their convictions nor disposed to follow the crowd
against their individual Judgment.
Mr. IL. Harris Archer is chairman of the Com
mittee on Claims. II position In which his fine
business capacity and determination to get
at the bottom facts find abundant scope in Sitting
out the fraudulent for the honest claims.
Mr.. }. NJ McNahb is II member of the Judiciary
| Committee one of the most responsible and
| important in the House. He is attentive to his
| duties and recognized as useful member
As member OF the committee on the Chesa-
peako Bay Mr. Beniamin Silver, Jr. will make
| himself valuable lie Is familiar with the duck
| ing interests and will endeavor to protect the
rights of all concerned. He is u wide-awakc and
faithful representative.
MIR. Jacob H. Plowman IL on the committee on
| Agriculture, whore he will have many opportuni-
ties of looking after the interests of farmers. His
acquaintance with delegates from other counties,
his sound common sense and attention to his
| duties have won for him respect and have
| given him considerable influence in the House.
| Among the local bills for Hartford county al
| ready introduced is one by MIR. Plowman to COM
| pei railroad companies to station hagmen at
crossings OF public roads. 1t applies only to rail-
| roads running ten or more trains day, and the
County Commissioners are to designate the cross.
| ing where such fagmcn are to be stationed. A
similar bill was introduced by Delegate Baker.
| last session, but 1t disappeared before il became
| a law.
Mr.. Plowman has also introduced a bill to di-
vide Abingdon district into two precincts with
voting places at Abingdon and Magnolia.
| Mr.. Silver has introduced a bill to abolish the
| collateral inheritance tax. This has for years
| been an unjust and onernus measure. and of the
same character as the old law taxing bachelors.
senator Allen Is bt silly engaged in perfpcting
| his bill to equaiZe taxation. 1t contains many
| good features, and if passed would bring under
txaation millions of dollars worth of personal pro-
| It is also intended to provide Il method by which
the amount invested on mortgages Cal be taxed
in the hands of the MORTGAGE, but this provision
would probably be evadcd, and the borrower BIO
| compelled to pay the tax. Under this bill every
taxpayer is required to return annually n list OF
his personal property, money in hand or on de-
post, colleetable credits due him. &C., and is al
| lowed to deduct all he may owe on notes of hand,
adjusted accounts, &c, making valuation of his
property himself. Severe pcnalie les are prescribed
| for making false returns Mr.. Allen calls his bill
a Patent Self Sharpener." Senator Allen is per-
s0nally one of the most popular men in either
| House, and snoted for his Hospitality and kind
mss of heart which is particularly shown to any of
his constituents who come to Annapolis The
sergeant. Ut arms of the Legislature, MIR. r. s. Nc
Mutt, of Hartford had been dubbed "Cnlnnor'
| ny mutual cnnennt has iauu many enthubi-
astic friends In Annapolis, by his ready wit and
gentlemanly department lie Yields the mace
| or authority with ease, grace and dignity, and
takes as much interest in current legislation as
any member.
Among the committee clerks is MIR. Geo w.
richardson of Hartford. 1t will be gratifying to
| his friends at home to know that he il regarded
| as one of the best and most accurate clerks in
| the House. The order offered by Mr.. plowman
| for an examination of the clerks ana the dis
charge of all incompetents created Il Hutter
among them and Set some to studying Web
ster's Unabridged with great diligence The
clerical force is already worked To lis fun capa
| city and towards the close of The session will
| not be sufficient.
Altogether, no visitor from Hartford need he
ashamed OF the representatives from his county
| They are making Il good record for themselves