The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-04-18
LEGISLATIVE SNAKES.

Ever since Ewes unfortunate encounter
with the serpent in the Garden of Eden,
her descendants have cherished mortal
antipathy to snakes.
And the impulse to kill a snake is as
general as the dislike of them, whether it
be the snake in the grass, that glides
silently into hiding, the kissing adder, or
the lurking monster, that hides in the
tree-top.
Now all the snakes that infest the earth,
are not confined to the physical creatures
so mathematical ny man.
Symbolizing the vices of mankind, such
as hypocrisy, treachery and deceit, human
snakes, infest society everywhere and prey
upon its life,
No rank or walk of life is free from
them.
They infest the drawing rooms OF the
aiiluent, creep into the church and crawl
into the chambers of legislation.
After the assembling of every Legislature,
they are discovered hidden in the mass OF
the accumulated work of the closing hours
of the session.
A legislative snake of this kind has just
been discovered in a law passed by the late
Legislature, incorporating the Anne Arun-
del and Howard County Agricultural and
Fair Association, which by its terms will
virtually nullify the law of 1894, limiting
race meets in the State of Maryland to
thirty days OH each track, so far at least as
those two counties are concerned.
The Act in question is described by Il
Baltimore contemporary as one slipped
through at the last hour of the last day of
the session, and is not even remembered by
many of the Legislators. 1t is measure
incorporating Amos \. Clark, John T.
Brogau, VIM. II. Shipley. Robert d Carter
Arundel and Howard counties, into an
organization to be known as the Anne
Arundel and Howard County Agricultural
and Fair Association. The body is given
the usual corporate powers. The capital
stock of the concern is fixed at S25, 600,
divided into 1000 shares of $25 each, with
the power of organizing as soon as two
thirds of the stock is subscribed.
The object of the Association is said to
be the improvement of methods and pro-
ducts of agriculture, of cattle, sheep, hogs,
poultry, and especially for the improve
ment OF the breed of horses. In carrying
out such objects the Association is author
lied to hold public fair for the exhibition
of live stock and of agricultural and house
hold products. Then follows the clause in
which the snake is lurking. 1t reads:
"And it may also contract for the use by
any person Of any track which they may
establish or control. and may hold one or
more meetings each year at such place as
it may select for the exhibition and trial of
such animals as it may deem proper, and
may offer and give such premiums as it may
determine on for superiority in the object
sought"
The act, which is to take effect from the
date of its passage, received the approval of
the Governor, April 4.
1t will be noticed that the quoted clause,
while very vague in its terms, is certainly
broad enough to include racing, and if it
does, it is a virtual repeal, so far as the
oount;ac Of Anna A rundal and Howard ore
concerned. of the law passed couple of
years ago combining race meets to 30 days at
each track in the State of Maryland. The
act provides that one or more meetings
shall be held in each year. They may be
made numerous enough to provide for con-
tinuous racing throughout the year.