The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1893-12-22
PROPOSED ROAD LAW.

o. Devries, of Howard county, and
a draft of proposed road law was
read by Mr. Henry w. Williams,
chairman of the legislative commit
tee.
1t provides, among other things, for
the appointment of State road and
highway engineer, of whose services
and advice the various counties shall
be permitted to avail themselves
when in need of expert assistance
The measure further provides that the
administration of the roads N the
counties shall be under the control of
a county board, to be appointed by
the county commissioners. There
are "a sections in the bill, most OF
which describe the functions of the
State engineer and the county board.
The draft was considered by sec
tions, and the first section, providing
for the appointment of the State en-
gineer, caused much discussion, but
was finally adopted.
There was considerable opposition to
the State engineer feature of the law
Mr.. Ralph Robinson, of Baltimore,
city, favored the appointment of
a State engineer but thought the
time was not ripe for the promotion
of the idea.
Mr.. c. Lyon Rogers, of Baltimore
county, was in favor of the people
taking care of their own roads and
employing engineers whenever they
need them.
Owen Norris. of Talbot county,
predicted that the bill would die in
the Legislature. The roads in Tai
bot, he said, are kept in order for
about $40 mile annually.
Mr.. d. G.. Wharton Smith, of Har-
ford county, strongly favored State
engineer. Without competent super
vision no good results would be ac-
complished.
Mr.. William P. Trimble, of Hartford
county, was opposed to the engineer
ing feature of the bill, as expensive,
unnecessary and liable to abuse.
Amendments were made in the draft,
as first proposed, changing the amount
of salary of the State engineer from
$1,000 to $4,000 year; allowing the
members of the county boards salaries
of 800 a year, without expenses,
instead of allowing expenses and
paying them no salaries, and making
the county boards consist of not less
than three nor more than five members
each, instead of three members each.
Gen. Roy Stone, Vice President of
the National League for Good Roads,
made an address, in which he gave
some interesting data concerning road
building throughout the country
Mr.. d. G. Wharton Smith offered a
resolution, which was adopted, re-
commenting the General Assembly to
consider the advisability of setting
apart day in each year to be known
as Highway Day." or of combining
that day with Arbor Day, so that it
may be known in Maryland as High
way and Arbor Day. The object of
this, Mr.. Smith says, is to emphasize
the Importance of highway improve
ment and create a stronger public
sentiment in favor of good roads.
PRESIDENT CLEVEL4ND'S MES
SAGE ON HI VAIL
The long-expected message of Presi-
dent Cleveland on our relations with
Hawaii was read in both Houses Of
Congress, on Monday. 1t furnishes a
complete refutation to the bitter at
tacks ON the President by his politi-
cal enemies.
President Cleveland asserts that
the so-called revolution, which re-
suited in dethroning Queen Liliuo-
kalani and the setting up of provi-
sional government was concocted by
United States Minister Stevens and
accomplished by the aid of United
States forces. Without the powerful
aid of the marines and sailors from
the steamer Boston the revolutionists
could not have been successful. The
Queen surrendered on the express
stipulation that the entire proceedings
were to be reviewed by the administra-
ton at Washington, upon which she
relied for justice and fair treatment.
1t is plain that a wrong was done to
the government of friendly power
and that the proceedings of Minister
Stevens were clearly at variance with
the well settled principles of our
government touching its relations
with foreign powers. The Queen, ac-
cording to President Cleveland's
view surrendered not to the provision
al government but to the United
States, and a wrong having been
done by the United States Min
lister it was but right that the
United States should endeavor to
rectify it. Accordingly, Commission
er Blount was sent to Hawaii to inves-
tigate carefully the situation. Upon
his report, supported by proofs, Min
lister Willis was ordered to the spot,
to make reparation, if possible. Act
ing under Instructions he informed
the Queen of the intention of our gov
eminent to reinstate her, provided she
would grant full amnesty to all who
participated in the movement against
her, and that she would assume all
obligations created by the provisional
government. Minister Willis was
further instructed that if the Queen
should decline to pursue the liberal
course suggested or should the provi-
sional government refuse to abide by
the Presidents decision, the facts
were to be reported and Minister Will
lis await further instructions.
The Queen, it seems, declines to as
sent to the propositions, and it is in
timated that nothing more will be
done for her. The entire matter has
now been handed over to Congress for
its decision.
The steel rail trust, the chief
of which is Andrew Car
negie, according to the Philadelphia
Times, has made overtures to the
Pennsylvania Steel Company, to close
their works at Sparrow's Point, near
Baltimore, in order that the steel