Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-11
LATE NEWS BY WIRE
Fighting the Merit System in the
Maryland House.
OPPOSING THE BRUCE MEASURE
What is Said at Annapolis of Its
Prospects.
OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
ANNAPOLIS, Md, February 1.-THE
civil service reform question still commands
great popular interest, and heroic efforts
are being made by those who favor the pas
sage of the Bruce bill in its present shape
to induce the opponents of the merit system
to reconsider their determination to pre-
vent the bill becoming a law.
An effort was made to have the bill re-
ported in the house today, but it's opponents,
led by Senator Wilkinson, whose refusal to
vote for it when it passed the senate has
won him considerable appreciation among
certain republican clubs in Baltimore, in
ducei the committee to postpone reporting
it on the plea that a number of Baltimoreans
interested in the outcome desired to come
before the committee.
1t is understood that large delegation,
represent ns a number of the city political
organizations which have passed reSolu-
lions condemning Mr.. Boaaparte's arraign-
ment of political clubs, will present their
views of civil service reform to the COM
mittee tomorrow, and an imposing turnout
of the anti-reformers is expected.
Numberless rumors are afioat as to the
final disposition of the question. 1t Is re-
ported that the bill will be kept in .om-
mittee for the next two weeks, or until the
governor las exhausted the patronage, end
that it will then be handled without gloves.
Another rumor Is that it will be amended
SO as to apply to the whole state, and the
referendum clause added. But it is generally
believed that it will be well treated if it is
sent back to the senate in the present
shape. as applying to Baltimore, with the
referendum clause attached.
1t is quite likely that the democratic
minority in the house will vote for the hill
in its present form when it comes up.
The state house is crowded will. visitors
today. There is a large delegation of ladies
on hand to advocate temperance measures.
but the present assembly has no greater
.;l.Ix
previous legislatures, and no changes are
anticipated.
Senator Talcott has introduced a bill to
incorporate the Montgomery Power Co.
Little Falls of the Potomac. The company
is privileged to conduct it's operations In
Maryland. Virginia and the District. The
incorporators are the following: Col. H
kyd Douglas of Baltimore, Horace s. Cum
mings of Washington, r. L. Williams OF
Richmond, D. S. Mackall of Fairfax county
Va; s. G.. Smith andsJ. c. Smith, Hartford
| county. Md. and Thos. R. Patton, Howell
Evans and Henry l.. Townsend of Philadel
phia. The company may supply electric
pneumatic, hydraulic, steam Or water
| power, as we'll as light and heat. 1t may
acquire 5000 acres for purposes OF con-
| struction, and it's incorporates may con-
| soIdate with other concerns, as they see
| fit.
Senator-elect Wellington, who came dowr
yesterday to consult with the governor
/ w
| understood that Gov. Lowndes may name
| Col. ]. B. Rouser of Frederick as adjutan'
| general number of prominent repub
| licanS are after the place, and Col. Rouser
! appointment will be regarded as com
| promise OIL. ..
Cen Alan Rutherford of Washington Is
| here today. He called on the governor
| this morning.
| The governor today named the following
| supervisors of elections for Mont conner!
| county: E. J.. Houck, Charles Il. Bono
| and George r. Rice.
The free school book bill was given 6
| black eye in the house today. After two
| roll calls it was decided to recommit it t.
| the committee on education, although Il
| had been previously favorably reported by
| the committee on ways and means. Ru
| mors have been afioat relative to the par
| ticipation of the lobby to promote its pas
| sage and direct charges of such a charac
| ter were made by Delegate Cook Of Wash
! ington county prior to tcday's final roll call
| The bill called for yearly appropriation
| of $4,000 for free school books.