The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-03-20
Legislation.

But thirteen more working days remain to
the present Legislature, and it will expire by
constitutional limitation, most likely, without
having accomplished much OF state impor-
lance. The Legislature has not been IDLE.
On the contrary the amount Of legislation al
ready disposed of is immense, and many more
hills will be enacted before the session closes;
but nearly all the bills passed were OF local
character. and those under consideration are
of the same kind.
There are many matters of general impor-
lance that need Legislative action, but there
seems to be a disposition to postpone every
thing of that sort until after new constitu-
tion is formed. 1t is even doubtful, indeed,
whether an assessment bill will be passed this
session. Two assessment bills have been
prepared, one by Attorney General Roberts
and one by Senator Hodson. The former
dispenses with a Board of Control and Review,
and if an assessment bill is passed this ses-
sion. that feature of it will be accepted, Judg-
ing from the unanimity of the press OF the
state in endorsing the ADVOCATES suggestion
TO that end several weeks ago. Senator Hod-
sons bill dispenses with assessors, as well as
n Board of Control and Review, and requires
every citizen, in prescribed time, to make
return to the County Commissioners, on blanks
furnished for that purpose. all property liable
TO taxation; and such returns are to be an
nual.
The Legislature is not TO be censured for
ueglecting general legislation. The members
are kept constantly engaged on local pills'
There are from twelve to fifteen from Carroll,
and every county has from ten to thirty, while
those from Baltimore city are very numerous
II County Commissioners had the power over
sucb matters as we have outlined heretofore,
the Legislature would be relieved ofabout two
thirds of the bills that now engross its atten-
ton. We hope to see such powers granted
at the next session, in 1888, and at so early q
date in the session as to relieve that body OF
the major part of the trivial legislation that
usually affiicts it.
If there should b. no assessment this year,
there is not likely to be one for several years
to come The Legislature decided not TO
submit the question of constitutional con-
yention at the election next fall, and instead
followed the constitutional requirement and
provided for a vote in the year 1887. If the
people of the state decide to hold conven'
tomas is quite probable-the Legislature OF
1883 will have to provide for the election OF
delegates and the holding of the convention.
Eighteen hundred and eighty eight, being a
presidential election year, it will not be ad-
yisable to have it that year, and 1t Will pro-
badly be postponed until 1ss9-three years
hence. If it be deemed advisable now to
postpone an assessment, until aftert lorna
ton of the new constitution, it will be regard
ed more so by the Legislature of 1888, and that
matter be laid over until 1890. And with 1t,
too, will perhaps be postponed, for the same
reason many matters of legislation OF state
Importance. The Hayes early call bill should
have been enacted and new constitution
formed next winter. To have done so would
have saved about three years time.