Evening star., 1896-03-31
Democrats and Republicans at An
napolis Exchange Compliments.
SPEAKER MUDD Was EULOGEZED
Events of the Closing of the Ses-
sion.
PARTY PLEDGES WE'RE KEPT

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
ANNAPOLIS Md, March 31.-The clos
ing hours of the general assembly early
this morning were marked by the usual
scenes Of noise and confusion, bat con-
trary to the general rule there was no
drunkenness or rioting. and the speakers
gavel fell on a crowd full of good nature
and kind feeling.
In fact, the whole affair terminated in a
sort of love feast, in which democrats and
republicans alike took part, and OF which
Speaker Mudd was the central figure.
Speeches were made by the leading demo-
cratic members, eulcgizing Mr.. Mudd for
bis fairness and impartiaiity in the treat
ment he accorded the democratic minority.
and the republicans lejoined by eulogizing
the democrats for their action during the
entire session The most noticeable feature
of this session, as far as the House was
concerned, was the almost entire absence
of partisanship in the debates and in the
consideration of all important measures.
ST eaker Mudd has won the praise of his
political opponents for the way in which
he treated them, and the fact that he
broke all records by giving the minority at
least two representatives on all the i'm
poriant committees has caused much favor
able comment, for it was not expected.
Reviewing the Session.
The session just closed has been econom-
ical in every respect. and the legislation
enacted will rebound greatly to the credit
Of the republican party. Every pledge
made at the Cambridge convention has
been kept in some form, and the laws
passed are in accord with those pledges.
The assessment hill, which was approved
by the governor after midnight, the new
election law. the submission 10 the people
Of a constitutional amendment providing
for civil service reform, We'll as the
general legislation, are all conservative in
character. ami will no doub. be beneficial
10 the entire people. The absence of par
tisanship the absence of a ''boodliny"
lobby, the failure of almost all the So
called "bocdlc bills mark the session Just
closed as ore of the best i'm many wears.
and the party in power can go before the
people with an untarnished record SO far
as Annapolis is concerned. Democratiic
members conceds this, and i'm some OF the
speeches made last night after the ses-
sion hal closed the democratic leaders
practically stated the above facts.
Mr. Laird's Rejection.
The rejection of Mr.. Philip d. Laird as
land commissioner was not a surprise Sem
ator Talbot of Montgomery county was
aided by six other democratic senators in
the fight against Mr.. Laird. and five re-
puDilcanS Joined with the seven democrats
and secured Mr.. Laird's rejection.
Mr.. W. .. Mitchell of Dorchester county
was given the place, and was promptly
confirmed by the senate.
The other appointees of Gov. Lowndes
which have been held up for several weeks
were also confirmed by the senate before
the final adjournment early this morning.
Election Law.
The best bill passed was the new bi-par-
tisan election law, prepared by the Reform
League of Baltimore city. 1t is conceded
on all hands that this is one of the best
election laws ever enacted in any state.
Efforts have been made from session to
session in years past to secure the passa ge
OF a good election law, but have heretofore
failed. The republicans promised to d. this
act and tn y have fulfilled their promise.
Anne Arundel Democrats.
The democrats of Anne Arundel held a
mass meeting at the court house today and
nominated DIR. George Wells for clerk CT
the circuit court and Messrs. Grafton Du-
val and Galloway Cheston for judges cf
the orphans court, the places declared va
cant by the house of delegates. The meet
ing was largely attended and very cnthusi-
astic. Mr.. Nicholas A. Green was elected
chairman of the meeting and Mr. Druner
X. Anderson secretary.