The Washington weekly post., 1900-01-02
Maryland Legislature Will
Convene Wednesday.
CANVASS FOR PRESIDING OFFICERS
Democratic Forces Backward About Sc
leciing Their Men-senaior Hubner for
President of SenaIe-LIoyd Wilkinson u
Very strong for speaker-Baltimore Po-
islation-Fight ht for nm Anne ndment.

Baltimore. Nd. Dec. 31-After an inter-
Val OF twenty-One months the legislature
OF Maryland will convene for a ninety
days session at the State House in
Annapolis, at noon on Wednesday
OF the coming week. The MEM
bers Of both branches will caucus
on Tuesday evening at the State House
for the purpose Of naming their candi-
dates for the various offices. The Demo
Gratis being largely in the majority, will
organize both houses. Tae leaders of the
Democratic forces are backward in select
ing their candidates, and beyond a can
vass for the presiding officer of each
branch, nothing has been done.
Senator Hubner. of Baltimore County.
is slated for the presidency of the Sem
ate, while Lloyd Wilkinson, of Worces-
ter, secretary Of the State Central Com
mittee appears 10 have the call for the
speakership Of the house. Neither will
receive the caucus nomination without a
struggle, however. Ferdinand c. Latrobe,
eight times mayor of Baltimore City land
once speaker Of the house, is a strong can
didate for presiding officer of the lower
branch, and claims to have, besides the
eighteen votes Of Baltimore City. enough
supporters from the country to give him
a majority of the sixty-sevtn caucus
votes.
Senator's Crothers, of Cecil, and Bouic,
of Montgomery are candidates for presi-
dent of the Senate, and probably will
have some support.
The other officers to be chosen are: By
the Senate-Secretary journal clerk. read
ing clerk and chief engrossing CLERK. By
the House-A chief clerk, journal clerk,
reading clerk, and chief engrossing clerk.
Employees Holding Over.
Until an organization is perfected the
three leading clerks in either house hold
ing over from the preceding legislature, as
well as the doorkeepers, continue in the
performance of their duties. After effect
ing permanent organization and the read
ing Of the governors message, both houses
will probably ADJOURN for a week to allow
the presiding officers to appoint commit
tees
Both houses Will take part in the in
augural ceremonies of Gov.-elect Smith
on January 10. Some interest is being man
ifested in the Democratic policy. The
leaders insist that every pledge made on
the hustings must be fulfilled, and in this
they are backed by Gov. Smith
There is enc measure. however, on which
the party will probably be divided, and that
is the bill providing for police reorganiZa-
ton of Baltimore city. The Reform League
stands by the original measure framed by
the organization, providing for a non-par-
tisan board, whereas Mayor Hayes favors
an amendment which would make him a
member of the board. Roger w. Gull, sec
retary of the Reform League, will proba-
bly, make the fight in behalf of the
league, while Mayor Hayes will do the
fighting on the other side. The bill is un-
dOubtedly the most important to be con-
sidered, and as both parties are COM
mitted TO its salient features, its passage
is assured.
Another measure that will be introduced
early in the session is that aimed at cor
rupt practices. 1t will be offered by Sen
ator Putzel, Republican, of Baltimore city
This, too, is acceptable TO both sides, and
will therefore become a law.