The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-01-20
Special Correspondence Baltimore County linton.
LETTER FROM ANNAPOLIS.
STATE HOUSE, ANNAPoLIs,, o

January 18th. 1900. (
Messrs. Editors Over two weeks of the ses-
sion Of the General Assembly has passed away
and people who have been in constant attend
ance here for generation all agree that this Is
the dullest and most uninteresting meeting of
the Legislature they have even known. Not
only do the appearances indicate that the public
is taking very little interest in what is going on,
but the members themselves seem to be indifer-
ent as to what is done. Visitors are few in num-
Der, and, in most cases. Insignificant in infiu-
ence. The proceedings are characterized by
perfunctory air from the opening to the closing
of each session in both houses. and not one
speech Of any length or any ability has been
made by any of the gathered stateman. although
there are many speakers of considerable ability
among the membership. Up to the present time
not one bill has been passed, and it will probably
be late next week before any new law is ready
to be placed on the statute books.
Contrary to general expectation. President
Hubner, of the State Senate, did not recognize
the Republican Senators in the committee as
signments in proportion to their membership
and well known ability. This act of Mr.. Hub
ner is in glaring contrast to the policy of the
Republicans two years ago, when that party was
in the majority and the Democrats had but
eight out of the twenty sx Senators. Mr.. Hub
ner has been severely criticised for bis course
by members Of both parties. and Senator Will
liams, of Hartford, voiced the protest of his Re
publican colleagues in presenting resolution
which was placed on the journal as part of the
record of the session.
Speaker Wilkinson, of the House of Delegates,
was more considerable in his committee assign
ments and gave the Republicans much fairer
apportionment when his list was handed out,
consequently on his side of the State House
4 there was no HleK from the minority members.
| Bills, as follows, have been introduced by the
| county members:
By Mr.. Jeffries.-To provide for the appoint
ment of three additional Justices of the Peace
in the 18th district and two in the 18th district.
BY Mr.. Sandman.-To regulate fishing in the
| Patapsco river.
BY DIR. Truitt.-To regulate the practice of
pharmacy in the State. Also bill to change
the name of the Fraternal Banking and Trust
| Company of Baltimore city, to the City Banking
and Trust Company, and to change the number
of directors from twelve to twenty-five.
| Applications for Office in large lots are being
received by Governor Smith, who is giving out
no intmation, however, as to what he intends to
do. The new Governor is extremely close-mouth-
ed in most respects, and the office-seekers seem
to be able to get no word from him one way or
the other. They keep on filing their papers
despite all encouragement and in many in
stances present their claims through delegations
| of the unterrified, who assure His Excellency
that the applicant has not only never scratched
a ticket but also that he was for Smith for the
nomination." AS the Governor at one time was
something of a ticket-scratcher himself, the
scenes in his Office on such occasions are not
without amusing features to those who know
| his political record from the beginning.
Upto the present time the absence of the usual
| lobbyists has been the one most conspicuous
feature of the session. Mr.. Rasin has not shown
up; Eugene Higgins is dead. The general
crowd Of agents and attorneys for the bosses
and corporation pluggers, who have in past
years made the State House notorious, have not
been here, and the only lobbyist of note is the
Hon. Murray Vandiver. who, it is asserted, in
tends to be the whole show himself this session,
notwithstanding the fact that he has just been
chosen State Treasurer. Mr.. Vandiver, how
ever, has had considerable experience in the
lobby and is quite equal to the task of attend
ing to the business of the varied interests he
may represent, and his position as Chairman of
the Democratic State Committee will, no doubt.
add greatly to his influence with the members
of both Houses.
The usual bluffs at retrenchment and reform,
which characterize the opening of every session,
are being made at the present time. Going over
the journals for the past generation shows ex-
actly the same performances, and the same for
getfulness which is apparent in those records of
former sessions so far as actual results are con-
cerned, will, no doubt, be seen when the books
of the session of 1900 are made up. The mem
bers come here full of zeal and in many in
stances, no doubt, really anxious to carry out
the pledges on which they made their campaign
for election, but the atmosphere of our old his
spirit of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS reform, and even the
most enthusiastic reformer generally falls into
the usual rut and before the session is half over
the words which are so frequently heard now
will have ceased to echo through the ancient
halls, or if they are occasionally used will only
cause smiles of derision among those who hear
them. At that time, as now, among the observ-
ant, it is known they are only used for effect
among the people who appear to be easily i'm
posed upon by such specious pleas. The only
reforms ever accomplished here were brought
about during the last two sessions, when new
men came forward who were not hampered by
the old traditions of ring rule and boss-dictated
regularity. The people, however, do not seem
| to have appreciated what was done, for they
| took the first opportunity to bring back the old
u,
methods will soon be in full play once more.
States Attorney John Grason and ex-Dele-
gate Wilson were visitors at the capital today.
| Delegate Redmund G. Stewart introduced a
bill to appropriate $4,000 to build an armory for
| Cavalry Troop A, at Pikesville. The bill pro-
vides for the appointment of a commission to
select the site and superintend the construction,
and also that the building shall be large enough
for cavalry drills and for such other purposes as
may make it a complete cavalry armory. The
| commission is to have power to condemn land
for site should it be impossible to procure one
by ordinary purchase.
The impression prevails here that the Senate
will refuse to confirm County Commissioner
Benjamin F. Taylor, and that Governor Smith
will appoint Mr.. Charles c. Councilman to the
vacancy. Other appointments made by Gov
ernor Lowndes before his retirement will also
probably be rejected. PAUL WINCHESTER.
THE ONO House of Representatives has in
definitely postponed action on the resolution
expressing sympathy with the Beers in their
war with Great Britain. All similar resolu-
tions should be likewise treated by public
bodies. The private individual and societies
can say and make resolutions as they please,
and newspapers, Also But city councils, leg
islatures and Congress in their public capacity
have no business interfering with foreign af-
airs. All such action is usually prompted
by demagogism. But the day is passing in
this country when it pays to be twisting the
British lions tail.
WHILE MARCUS W. MONTGOMERY, a New
York business man, was boiling sandwich
in 'quick lunch establishment his $50
overcoat was stolen from a hook on which he
had hungit Montgomery sued the proprietor
of the lunch room and obtained verdict,
which, however, has just been set aside by a
higher court The latter tribunal held that
the restaurant man could no more be held re-
sponsible for patrons clothing than for his
Digestion