The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-03-10
Special Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM ANNAPOLIS.
STATE House, ANNAPOLIS s,.0

STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS,
March 9th, 1900.
MessTs Editors But three weeks more re-
main of the present session, and the General
Assembly will adjourn sine die. Up to the pres
ent time the record, while 1t has not been bril-
liant has on the other hand not been discredit
to the State in any important particular, so far
as the enactment of laws is concerned, no really
Objectionable bills having been passed. That
the result up to the present time is not bad is
largely due to the fact that the Republican mi
nority combined with the better class of the ma
jority members, and by this means nothing det-
rimental to the tax-paying elements has been
allowed to go through. The Democratic bosses,
however, deserve no credit for the present con-
dition Of affairs, for could they have had their
way much partisan and pernicious legislation
would have been put through. As it is, these
people have used all their influence to accom-
plish what in many particulars would have been
detrimental to the States best interest, and
their schemes have only been defeated by
combination of the Republicans with what is
best among the Democrats. The decency of the
Democratic majority, combined with the mi
nority members, deserves all the credit for the
fact that partisanship and corruption have not
run riot here since the opening of the session.
The record has not been completed yet. how
ever, and much that is pernicious and evil may
be accomplished before April 2, when the final
adjournment will take place.
The efforts Of the Democratic bosses to over
throw the majority given the Republican ticket
in Prince Georges county last November was
frustrated by the action of the House of Dele
gates in refusing to unseat Mr. George B. Mer-
rick, one of the Republican members from that
county. Every sort of pressure was brought to
bear upon the members to force them to take
tha .,ansuet and parAisan oOusee marked out for
| them by Speaker Wilkinson, State Treasurer
vandiver and other prominent Democrats, but
| the decent members of the House refused to be
coerced, and Mr.. Merrick still retains the seat
to which he justly elected. The contest
here was simply intended as preliminary step
to an attempt to steal other local offices in Prince
Georges county to which Republicans were
elected, and that it failed was due to the fact
that even many hide-bound partisan Democrats
had not the efrrontery to back up such trans
parent steal.
Among the prominent county people who
were at the State House during the week were
ex-Congressman J. F. G. Talbot, Col. David G..
Mcintosh. Mr.. James Z. Ingram and many
Others Col. Milton W. Offutt, like the poor, "is
with us always" as his duties attorney for the
United Railways has kept him here during the
session. That Colonel Offutt is a very success
full is evidenced from the fact that it was largely
due to his work that the six tickets for quar-
ter bill'' was defeated and that all other legisa
ton which affects his corporation has been man
aged to suit him. That he is an economical lob
byist is also whispered around, and the railway
officials ought certainly TO be satisfied with his
work.
Bills by the county members have been intro
duced as follows:
By Mr.. Choate.-An act to amend Article %, of
the Code of Public General Laws, title "Crimes
and Punishments,' subtitle Gaming" by re-
pealing section 124 E, thereof. as enacted by the
Act of 1885, chapter 2s5, and to re-enact the same
as amended. Also, an act to repeal and re- enact
with amendments sections 4, 10 and 10 of chap
ter 1874, of the Acts of the General Assembly of
Maryland, passed at the January session in the
year 1890, entitled ian act to regulate the sale
and the granting of license for the sale of spir
ituous and fermented liquors in Baltimore
county and also to repeal chapter 426 of the
Acts of the General Assembly of Maryland,
passed at the January session, in the year 1896,
amendatory thereto; and also to add new Sec
lions to said chapter 334 of said Acts of 1890, en-
titled as aforesaid, to come in after sections q,
and to be designated as sections q A, Fl b and
q c, respectively" Also, To incorporate the
Baltimore County and City Railway Company.
This bill gives the corporation created the power
to enter the city and lay tracks on several streets
as well as on the county roads. 1t will be vigor-
ously opposed by the United Railways Company.
By Mr.. Stewart-An act to provide for the as
sessment and collection of distilled spirits.
passed at the January session, 1892, chapter 704,
by adding an additional section to said article,
to be section IL, providing for an appeal from
the assessment and valuation of distilled spirits
made by the State Tax Commissioner. Also, To
tneaFD sisAFfd i6f E6fhfnfssfofere,
to be known as commissioners for the revision
of the laws OF the State of Maryland relating to
State banks, savings banks, fidelity and trust
companies and building and loan associations.
and to define the duties of said board"
by Mr.. Truitt.-An act to repeal chapter 252,
of the Acts of 1898, entitled IAN act to prohibit
the sale of spirtuous or fermented liquors or
lager beer within half a mile of the junction of
Cuttings avenue and Bellona avenue, in Balti-
more county"
Regarding this last mentioned BILL some of
the delegates would like to hear from the people
residing in the neighborhood affected, there
being some doubt as to whether they wish the
law in question repealed and liquor sold in that
place.
The members of the Board of County Commits
sioners appeared before the county delegation
on Thursday to present their protest against the
passage of Mr.. Stewards road law. Col. Benja-
min F. Taylor was the chief spokesman and OBJ
jected to the enactment of Mr. Stewards bill on
the ground that it would add to the expense of
the administration of the county government.
Another bill the Commissioners opposed was
that to create Levy Court for the county, and
they also expressed their disapproval of several
other bills which have been introduced affect
ing the county and asked that they be defeated
as Injurious to the interests of the taxpayers.
All the members of the delegation listened to
what was said and agreed that they would con-
slider with care the views presented.
PAUL. WINCHESTER.