The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-10-05
SENATOR BENEFITS RECORD.
What He Has Done in the State
Senate.

Senator p. j. Benefits position in the
Maryland Senate has been one of great in
f1uence and importance. He was so fully APP
preciated by the President of the Senate that
he was made Chairman of the Committee on
Agriculture and Labor, Chairman of the
committee having the responsibility of con-
siderng all Executive appointments TO office
and member of the Finance Committee
whose duty it was to pass upon all apprOpria-
tons of the State moneys and guide legisn
ton in reference to the State finances. His
full knowledge and great experience in State
affairs will. therefore, make him necessarily
| a member of great force and influence in the
next Senate, where his services would he Of
great value 10 his State and county.
His record, in part, is is follows In the
matter OF taxation and reasseSSment he IahOred
| assiduouSly 10 increase the legitimate basis Of
taxation, and among other things caused
provision to be inserted in the Senate( Hayes
reassessment bill by which 500, OO0, 900 of
property in mortgages was added to the
Sessable basis for taxation.
He was foremost III the memorable fight of
the people against the Gas Monopoly bill Of
Baltimore city, and as a mark of appreciation
of his services to the people he was rendered
public reception by the leading citizens of
the city.
One of his earliest acts in the Senate, of
service to the people OF this county, was to
cause Il bill to be passed appropriating $40
600 TO increase the public school sessions.
whereby the scholars received an additional
three months tuition and the teachers three
months occupation at Il season of the year
when they would otherwise have been in utter
idleness
He caused the repeal of the provisions Of
the law which gave a discount to those per:
sons who had sufficient bank account to pay
their taxes promptly when levied. but which
necessarily caused higher rate to be levied
on the poor in order to meet this discount.
In the interest of economy of the peoples
money he had bill passed reducing the Sher-
if 5 pay to $500. instead of enabling the
office to acquire from 81 900 to $4,000. which
had been formerly done. This. however. is
| only Il beginning in necessary economical leg
SIation in respect to the sheritfalty. lfelected
Senator Bennett proposes to continue it by
new legislation in respect TO the present tramp
| law as will relieve the people Of this present
| hurdenSome expense.
! He 50 amended the law in respect to the
| States attorneys office as to make the high
| est amount that a State ; attorney can
ceive. after January |, 1896, $500. instead
of a maximum sum of 5000. which was al
| lowed to be made as the law stood prior to
| Senator Bennett law.
lie rendered valuable services to the com
munitv in helping the passage Of many excel
| lent laws originating in the House. among
others the high license law regulating the sell
| Ing of liquor the provisions Of this law re-
| quiring the endorsement of an applicant for
| liquor license of nine reputable freeholdcrs.
This law has met the approval of the people,
the reputable liquor dealers and the temper
ance people. and had most beneficial effect.
He also voted for free books III the public
| schools.
| In fact Senator Bennett stands precmncnt
as legislator for the masses. ever look king to
their interests. His strength arises in the
confidence of the people in his courage, hon
esty and fidelity heretofore proven in their
| service