The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-03-20
Of a Very Dissolute Session.
REFORM IN ARYLAND A
PRONOUNCED FAKE.
Only Twelve Days Before the Leg
islature -Reassessment
Bill May Pass, But it is Doubtful
if the Governor Will Sign IT.
The Bruce Bill Dead-Frederick
County Measures Passed UP To
Date.
[From our Special Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS. March 18th, 1896.


ANNAPOLIS. March 18th, 1896.
Already the mutterings of the coming
storm against any assessments that assess
are heard in the capital. The two acts have
each gotten halfway by passing one each
in both branches of the Legislature, and is in
conference. 1t is quick work when the
Conference Committee agrees; for then all
that has to be done to make the two bills
an act, awaiting the Governors signature
to become a law, is that each House adopts
the report of the Conference Committee.
But neither House so far has given way,
and the great reform promised in one di-
rection halts badly on it's path. There is
beside, seeing it is so far on the Legisla-
tive track, the cry to Governor Lowndes to
veto the measure, has already gone up
from the bond holding interest. This does
not fall on unwilling ears, since Governor
Lowndes on the stump, whilst he said he
was in favor of reassessment, said he did
not want its provisions too drastic or in
quisitous. This opens the door wide
enough to let His Excellency drive two
horse team through the bill. Every
scheme is suggested for the moneyed class
to escape taxation. A principal one is to
let the cities settle the question of taxa
tiOn of personal property. This granted
the City Councils would fall an easy prey
n Rol IN 1oI1 4l,oA IL
be raised to carry the measure and throw
the burden0n real estate.
There are bills on bills for reform that
will not see the light of legislative day, or
if they reach maturity will hardly accom-
plish the mission whereunto they have
been sent. One of them is DIR. Barber's
bill. This is to take from the bribed voter
the penalties of crime and allow him to
testify who bought him. Fancy fellow
who sold his vote refusing to perjure him
self! Had the physician of the bribery
laws tried to heal the disease of political
consumption he would have been nearer
the right method to relieve the briber from
the penalties of the law. This would give
a much better class of witnesses and
there would be more likelihood of having
the truth told, since, a man would prOba-
bly, consider perjury greater crime than
buying purchaseable vote
Beside this there is another bill pending
in the Senate, to require candidates and
committees, and treasurers of political pal
ties to make sworn statements of their ex
penses. This act proposes to put the Sc
verest penalties for failure to give the proper
information, and is in accordance with laws
in other States There is need of improve
ment in the methods.
A most far-reaching and revoutionizing
measure has been introduced in the Senate
by Senator Randall, relative to legislative
procedure in the introduction of bills
This measure provides that all private and
local bills must be printed at the cost f the
promoters, and copies be filed with the
Secretary of State, thirty days before their
introduction. 1t is designed to secure full
publicity of proposed laws affecting various
interests, and to prevent the introduction
of large number of useless bills. The au-
thor of the bill has considerable hope re-
garding its prospects, and says that it will
save much time and unnecessary work.
A law clerk is to be appointed under it at a
salary of ten dollars a day when employed.
Delegate Dick, of Allegany, is the orator
of the House. His ringing voice turning
his neatly shaven sentences of vigorous
English, is always sure to draw every
lounger in the rOtunda to the hall of the
House of Delegates, whenever his resonant
notes awakes the echoes of the dome ofthe
Capitol. And awaken they do, for when
the young miner raises his voice it fills ev-
cry nook in the State House to which it has
reach. Tuesday night he made one of his
speeches on the bill to reor-
ganize the Maryland National Guard.
Speaker Mudd ill-cOncealed his chagrin at
the effort of the brave mountaineer. For
he had bout with the Speaker when he
first let the House know that he had the
gift of oratOry, and the Speaker did not
come off first. After Mr.. Dick had had his
time extended, and had delighted his hear
ers and had been generously applauded by
the ladies, it was discovered that he had
been speaking on the wrong bill. He
thought he was arguing for more time on
the bill to appropriate money to support
the militia, when the bill to reorganize
does not carry cent of appropriation.
The Anne Arundel Republicans are trying
to capture part of the Democratic hosts in
tho coming special election for County Clerk.
The negotiations are carried on in the most
way in the State House, and are
80 notorious as to be known to every one
Meanwhile the Republicans are at fours and
skies amongst themselves, and never under
took to make coalition with disgruntled
Democrats, that they did not cause violent
discussions in their own ranks.
AS usual towards the end of the session,
5he wheels of Legislation are turning around
with great rapidity and bills and orders fairly
ostle each other in their efforts to clear both
Houses. Since our last letter the bill to pro-
libit the sale of liquors and articles of traf-
ic within one mile of any Sunday School
picnic in Frederick County, except by farm
srs, or licensed dealers or persons having a
permit from the superintendent ftheschOOl;
he bill to prohibit the sale of liquor within
swO miles of public school No. 5, in Licks-
yille District, Frederick County, were passed
m the Senate. The bin to transfer the con-
jr0l Of the Frederick County fund for the
erection Of public school houses, from the
Board Of County Commissioners to the
BOARD Of School Commissioners, was passed
n the House. The Senate bill to increase
he number of police magistrates for Fred |
rick City from one to three, was passed in |
he House. The House bill to authorize the |
Mayor and Council of Brunswick to issue |
ponds to the amount Of SIS, 900 to provide a |
yatersupply, was passed in the House. The |
blowing Senate Bill was passed in the |
senate: To sanction the agreement between |
he Mayor and Aldermen of Frederick and |
Willard c. Keller, in reference to a certain
trip of land. Mr.. Rouzer obtained leave to |
bill to provide that the Board of |