The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-04-09
The General Assembly of 1898.

The January session, 100; oi INC N0ho'
Assembly of Maryla land expired by constltu-
tiona limitation on Monday night last. What
is the result of the ninety days session IS not
known and will not he for some days AthO
session. perhaps, have there been so many
triAing bills introduced, bills on hawks, hsh and
came. refunding small sums enormously pald
into the treasury, &C. There were also large
number Of general bills introduced and some
Republican partisan measures. Or the latter,
the changing of the legislative districts Of Bal
timore was smeaked through i'll the bill grant
ing new charter for the city, and the con-
gressional gerrymander bill was passed on the
last dav of the session by a strict party vote.
Fully one-third of the bills failed of passage,
as nearly two months Of the session was INT
tered away by reason of factional quarrels
among the Republicans. Several days were
consumed over the election OF Il Speaker OF
the House. the Republicans having two can
didates. a caucus nominee and an indepen-
dent candidate put up by part of the Baltl-
more city members. The latter was elected,
but few weeks later he deserted his friends
and made an alliance with the other side. and
for his turn about was appointed State Fire
Marshal. Later, again, he deserted the
Lowndes- Wellington faction and stood with
the Malsterites against the bill to reorganIze
the Baltimore police commission. As a trader
he was great success and as presiding
officer great failure.
In the Senate, too, there were tactional
differences and two whole DAYS were wasted
by one faction in iilibusterins against bipar-
tisan police commissioner bill. Upon bad
legislation the Republican members Of both
houses were a unit, and every good measure.
nearly, was passed by the aid and votes Of the
Democrats.
How much money has been appropriated
no one knows. Bills carrying appropriations
were continually being carried through. most
" to hospitals, aSylums and educational in
stitutionS. The sum Of these appropriations
is very considerable, while the extra allow
ances to the employees is beyond ull precedent.
1t is true hard work was imposed upon some
during the closing weeks Of the session, but
for nearly two months their labor was less
than light. The number of employees, too,
was far beyond the necessities of the House,
and it looks like the roll was heightened
merely to reward partisan workers.
The sum of all the appropriations for the
session will show lavish expenditure when
the circumstances Of taxpayers demanded
retrenchment and economy. The most in
defensible appropriation was $500 600 to build
an armery for the fifth regiment. and the
$4,000 to the fourth regiment could very we'll
have been voted down. Another state graf
uity that should not have been voted was
200 Il year for two years to the Johns
Hopkins University.
While all this extravaganza was being car
ried through, the Republicans affected to be-
leve that Il reduction Of the tax rate could be
made and actually had a measure in the House
to accomplish it. Had it been passed finan.
cial chaos would have resulted-a shortage of
funds, loans effected to tide over the difficult
ties and an increased rate of taxation by the
next General assembly Either this. or re
sultant injury to the schools and the public
service.
Taken as Il whole, with substantial working
majorties in both houses, the Republican
General Assembly of 1893 was the most in
competent the state has known for many
years. The House members from Baltimore
city were a set Of incompetents and mere
spoilsmen, while Republican delegations from
nearly all the counties, except those Of West
Il
the other hand, the Democrats were. as IL rule.
above the average, and the leaders in both
houses were more competent and able than
for some years. In the House, Wilkinson.
Miles and Writ were three able leaders and
debaters, and behind them at all times stood
the solid Democratic vote In the Senate
were such competent leaders as Herring
Smith, Crothers and jackson, all good speak
ers and able parliamentarians But for
Democratic aid, legislation would ha We been
continually i'll a muddle. by reason Of Repub-
Iican incompetency and factional division in
both houses, and the General Assembly Of
lS9S would have been Il miserable failure
Had the Democrats, recognizing that the at
fairs of the state had been committed to the
charge of the Republican party, allowed that
party to have originated and passed all gen.
eraI bills, Republican incOmpetencv would
have been painfully apparent to all tax pay
ers and those interested in the welfare of the
state. Even with the aid the Democrats
could render, the record will not be a pleas
ing one to the people.