Catoctin clarion., 1896-04-02
It's LabOrs Ended.

ltS L6UOK9 GAAOAs
The Maryland Legislature adjourned
on Tuesday morning last at Las o'clock
It goes into history as legislative life
of varied accomplishments. First, 1t
entered upon active life controlled by a
political sentiment that had been for ~
wears, known in the government Of the
State, as a powerless opposition, hence
it found itsesf wholly destitute OF lead
ers accustomed to directing party re-
sponsible for legislation. There is a
vast difference between the methods OF
the majority and those of the minority
in opposition and successful leadership
under the former conditions is the more
difficult, requiring experience, not only
as parliamentarian but as leader Of
men in the party in the State. The re-
publicans sent no one Annapolis this
winter who had been specially promi
nent in the party State councils: this
circumstance coupled with that of new
responsibilities placed we'll beyond any
reasonable promise. the power to &C
complish any decidedly partisan legls
lation. The fact that one branch OF the
legislature, the Senate, was not IN accord
with the House Of Delegates, political
", has not been considered in the fore
going remarks, as they are intended to
cover more particularly those points
and circumstances incident to the newly
assumed responsibilities Of political
party, condition of affairs not at all
foresha allowed at the time Of the noml-
mating conventions Of the afterwards
victorious party, and which lack of pro
phetie vision probably cost the Legls-
latiye rolls the names of number OF
the stronger and more prominent men
of the party in the State.
AS to the work performed by this
Legislature, it will compare more than
favorably with the average Legislature
of recent years; as to quality, personal
bias and the verdict of history Of the
coming two years will largely determine
The number of locals bills passed is
probably greater than the average leg
islation in this line.
The general legislation of greatest
Importance is that of re- assessment and
next in importance, in the order named,
the elections bill, the free school book
bill, abolishing "days of grace" and re-
organizing the State militia.
The civil service bill failed, despite
the fact that it was prominent factor
in vote. getting last November: the fail,
ure to pass it has occasioned very much
more favorable comment than adverse
criticism.
It would seem that we have occasion
to change the opinion recently express
ed regarding the reassessment bill: flom
all that we have heard and read, criti-
cising the bill, we are lead to believe
that many large interests hitherto able
to avoid taxation, have been brought to
book by the law just passed. There can
be no doubt that the property hitherto
exempt, that will be taxed under this
law will produce revenue in excess OF
that added to the exempt list if such
b the case, it follows that property now
paying taxes will, to produce an equal
gross rum to the county and State, pay
a smaller sum. That is, if more new
has been added to the tax basis than has
been taken the-efrom, the property now
paying the taxes will find lts burden
iiahtened, although, owing to the great
reduction in values, both real and per-
sonal, the tax basis in gross may be less
and the tax rate higher.
By the new election law we have a
new registration next fall; we are not
sufficiently familiar with the law as
passed to make any reliable statement
further concerning it.
Handsome testimonials Of esteem were
presented to President Bruce of the Sen
ate and Speaker Mudd Of the House and
quite q love feast, regardless of party,
reigned at the close of the session.
Riailc1Del1 Crv for