The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-04

is an improbability OF anything more he
ing done. All proceedings seem TO have
been Indefinitely suspended. The commits
sion has no expectation at present OF taxi
ing any further steps. The trend OF
events has already placed Maryland I'm a
very unenviable attitude towards the
Commonwealth OF Virginia. and there
seems az present. no available means 20
dissipate the difficulties. A knowledge OF
the condition into which the matter had
fallen is what induced the commission TO
abandon all ideas OF holding a future
meeting.
The real work war accomplished during
the first sessions OF the commission, at
which time the line was laid and She two
states acquiesced in the conclusions then
reached. Colonel Thomas S. HodsOn, Of
this city represented Maryland. and
States Attorney Gunter, Of Accomac
county, was the representative Of Vir-
glnia.
50 soon as the Virginia legislature met
it passed a bill providing for an appro-
prlation 10 put into execution the recon-
mendatiOns OF the commission. A similar
measure was introduced at Annapolis, on
behalf of Maryland. The bin was con-
Quoted successfully through all its inter-
mediate stages until Il reached the point
for final enactment. The passage OF the
bin was scheduled for the last night OF
the session. However. when that day or
hurry disorder and general commotion
arrived. the bill for the appropriation was
not passed. And for why?
II was not passed for the simple rea-
son that tho bill was mon est BY one
OF those mysterious and unseen acts OF
political ledgerdemaln the bill has been
made 10 vanish into space. never again
10 return 10 IT'S sponsors and promoters.
A most diligent and persistent search
was made TO locate its whereabouts. but
each investigation was a "love's labor
lost" The bin had been lost or cap
tured. no one could tell which. for IL
had not encountered an opposition such
as would have caused IL 10 be killed.
II was one OF those Instances IN WhIch.
amid the excitement and confusion OF
the final hustle and hurry the bill dis
appeared and. as there was no explana-
ton. the entry therefor was written
simply as missing" Al all events the
LEGISLATURE failed 10 provide for the ex-
penses Of the commission or for the pay
ment Of Marylands necessary quota re-
Quired TO put the suggestions Of the com
mission into actual effect.
That left the future operations on
Maryland part not simply crippled, but
actually crushed. The commission has
already gone as far as 1t can on the
wings OF a mere prospective pay. 1t has
reached that point now where somtthine
more tangible than mere hopes Of pay
ment is essential The controversy Is in
that stage Of development in which money
IS needed for its further progress. and
since that has been denied. the Mary
land side Of the negotiations seem 10
have been effcctually brought 10 a halt
The commission contemplates no more
meetings. because II realizes that no.
thing practicable or tangible can be ac-
complshed Mr.. Hodson himself feels
keenly the humiliating position to which
this State has been reduced. IL Is an
illustration. so fl is claimed, Of where
the higher plane Of Maryland's honor
has been sacrificed IN order that certain
persons might wresk some political yon-
geance upon fheir alleged coterie OF ad-
versares The disappearance Of the
bill is accredited to a carefully conspired
intrigue. formulated and executed TO
prevent "a certain politician from utlliz-
ing its enactment for his own advantage.
At all events Maryland, after having en-
gagged with Virginia for the amicablo set
Element Of an aggravating disupte, has
been deprived OF tho ability TO fulfill her
obligations.