The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-01-04
THE LEGISLATURE.
THE SENATE ORGANIZES WITH
SENATOR W. CABELL BRUCE
AS PRESIDENT.
The House Selects Hon. sydney E.
Mudd as Speaker.


assembled. the corridors of the Carroll
ton motel in Baltimore, to Il casual observer
presented on Tuesday a lively throng. making
1t to all appearances the vestlbule to the State
House at Annapolis. There was however a
noticeable absence of the familiar faces
usually seen in that holstcry on similar occa-
sions. This, was of course easily explained
by the fact, that Il change had taken place in
the political complexion OF the Legislature
about to assemble, and for the first time IN a
generation, the Republicans constituted the
dominant element of the crowd assembled
there. The reception given on Monday night
by the Columbian Club at its new head
quarters on Howard street, to Governor
Lowndes, the Republican members of the
Legislature, Mayor Hooper and prominent
Republicans of the State, brought to Balti-
more, large number OF Republicans en-
route for Annapolis.
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS
Indications early on Tuesday. pointed to
the selection Of Hon. Sydney L. Mudd, as
Speaker of the House. and when the RepubIi-
can members ofthe House of Delegates met in
regular caucus al $50 p. m.. they We're called
to order by II. G. Dodson OF Talbot county.
Charles f. Markell, of Frederick county, and
w. j. Smith, of Cecil county, were nomi-
mated for chairman OF the caucus. and Mr..
Smith was elected by vote of 50 to 3d.
EX-Congressman Sydney L. Mudd, OF
Charles county, William II. Schilling of Bal
timore city, and Charles f. Markell. cf Fred
erick county, were Nominated to be the Re-
publican nominees for Speaker of the House.
The first ballot resulted in the selection of
Mr.. Mudd, the vote being: Mudd, 40: Schill-
ing, %; Markell. 8.
After his nomination Mr.. Mudd was called
upon for a speech. In response, after thank
ing the members for the honor they had con-
ferred on him. he said Occupied with the
pleasure which your action conveys. | am i'm
pressed with u deep sense of the RESPONSE
bility which a satisfactory incumbency of the
cooperation with what shall be my earnest
effort to measure up to the full requirements
OF the position in such n manner as will re-
fleet credit upon tho party whose representa-
tives in caucus we are and in n higher sense
subserve the interest of our State and ourpeo-
pie now looking to us to rid them fthe abuses
that have swept upon the body polite We
are now in Il large measure in control of the
government of this State. 1t will be regarded
as problem for Il time to come whether we
can accomplish the task of controlling our
selves. The administration of which we are
part is expected to reform abuses and inau-
gurate cleaner methods in the politics of the
State. The people have faith in the ability
and the sincerity of Lloyd Lowndes to bring
about the beneficial changes and reforms. 1t
is for us to see to it that we shall not Law be-
hind in the movement nor give to him half
hearted and inadequate support"
The following nominations were also made
by the House caucus: Martin Nj. Higgins, of
Talbot, to be chief clerk; Charles l.. Wilson.
of Baltimore city, to be reading clerk; James
A. Clark, of Prince Georges to be journal
clerk; Frank j. Devilbiss, OF Carroll, to be
Harry B. Joyce, of Balti-
more city. to be engrossing clerk. William J.
Smith, OF Cecil, was made temporary Speaker
OF the House.
THE SENATE CAUCUS.
While the Republicans were having little
or no trouble in selecting their presiding
officer, things were not so serene in the
Democratic State caucus. Senator Bruce. Of
Baltimore, refused to attend the caucus, and
for time it looked as though deadlock
might arise in that body.
1t seems that at conference of Democrats
held in Baltimore some weeks ago, it was
generally understood that Senator Bruce was
to be the candidate for the presidency of the
Senate, and the party leaders expressed them
selves as favorable to him. But after the
Carroll county special election, at which n
Democrat-Dr. Hering-was returned elected,
the attitude of Senator Gorman's friends
toward Senator Bruce seemed to change.
Several of the Senators who had been
favorable to Mr.. Bruce had a sudden and
mysterious change of conviction. and it be-
came apparent that the friends of Senator
German were determined to defeat him, and
III lne Sdllle llllle determined 10 use him to
promote the election of their own man. 1t
was told to Bruce that Senators Crothers
and John Walter Smith had declared, that
under no circumstances would they vote for
him. This Mr.. Bruce understood to mean
that they would bolt should he be the NOM
inee. Senator Smith assured Mr.. Bruce how
ever that he had never made the declaration
attributed to him.
When Mr.. Bruce's attitude became known
every effort was made to get him into the
caucus. In Baltimore q committee waited
on him and intimated that he could name
any one OF the fourteen Democratic Senators
for president except himself and he would be
accepted. This Mr.. Bruce regarded az an
insult and as personal attack on him by
Mr.. German. He determined that II he was
to be boycotted and excluded from the office
which was open to every other Democrat, he
would let them have their caucus to them-
selves, and informed the committee that he
would not attend.
THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS,