The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-11-15
MIR. STRAUS FOR NEW LAWS.

Mr.. Isaac LObe Stratus, VINO was electeu
to the House of Delegates from the Second
Legislative district of Baltimore city, gave
his views in reference to probable legisla-
ton at the coming session Of the General
Assembly to Il reporter of the Baltimore
Sun Mr. Straus said he was sure that
no definite plan or schedule relating to
legislative matters had as yet been formu-
lated by the majority leaders of the Gen
eral Assembly.
"As for myself" ne continued, Il have,
of course, had no chance even to take 4
general survey to see what additions to or
modification of our law are required.
From now on, however, | shall devote
myself without ceasing, by conference,
personal investigation and reflection to
the study of the present needs and inter-
ests of the State and the city, SO that by
the time the Legislature convenes l shall
have such topics as may deem proper to
bring to its attention well arranged and
in shape for effective presentation.
"Of course there are some matters which
am now prepared to say will receive the
attention of the Legislature. l shall de-
vote myself mainly to putting our entire
election system, both primary and general,
upon the highest possible plane of eff
cheney, fairness and honesty. The Demo-
cratic majority is pledged to pass law
insuring fair primary elections, and l am
confident such law will be passed.
This will be the first step in the general
scheme of election reform which l have
in mind. 1 know by personal experience
something of the shortcomings of our
present primary election statute. With
out going into details here l should say
that the law in question should be modi-
fed in the following main respects:
Il. Absolutely equal and impartial rep
resentation in the conduct of the primary
should be guaranteed to every candidate
for nomination. 1t should be made by law
impossible for any candidate to secure an
advantage 'in the window
''2. Efficient provision should be made
to prohibit Republicans from voting at
Democratic primaries and Democrats from
voting at Republican primaries.
50. The most rigorous statutory means
should be used to preserve an absolute
neutrality and non-interruption as be-
tween candidates upon the part of the
police in the primary.
~. The expenditure of money by candi-
dates in the primary should be limited to
proper and legitimate purposes after the
fashion of the Corrupt Practices acts
which obtain in divers Northern States.
The second step in this scheme of cleo
tions Improvement should, l think, be
some amendments to our present general
Election law-I mean the law of 1901
The theory of this law is most excellent
one. l still regard it as a great reform
which will prove of vast advantage to the
State. 1t was very clumsily administered
at the recent election, but still heartily
approve of its main features. 1t should
however, be amended in some important
respects.
stringent provision should be made
against the use of such ballots as were
lately employed in some of the counties OF
Southern Maryland. The law should pre-
scribe that all the ballots in use through.
out the State and in Baltimore city should
be printed in uniform type, with a uniform
arrangement of names of candidates anG
party designation, and the type to be used
should be required to be of plain ant
bold sort
''In the next place the ballot should con
| tain above each group of Candidates fol
| the several offices to be filled a specific
direction as to the number of candidates
to be voted for.
another suggestion which occurs to me
| now is that the standard of qualification
of judges and clerks of elections, as wei
as their compensation, should be raised sc
that every polling place could be equipped
with officials who could make up the cleo
ton returns with promntness and pre-
cision.
The third and final step in the up)ift
ing of our elections to a higher plane i:
the passage of law in the nature of tn,
New York Corrupt Practices act TIL,
essential and drastic features of that law
adapted to conditions in this city ant
State, would, think, work great improve
| ments in our electoral system.
Another subject which think demands
attention is our general incorporation law
which is now a sort of patch work. con
| siderably behind the times. l know F.;
| number of recent interpretations Of large
home interests where the parties have
found it necessary to incorporate under
the laws of New Jersey, Delaware ant
| other States. In recent years almost al
| the commercial States have modernizeC
and liberalZed their general incorporation
| laws. Even the staid State of Connection
has, l understand, lately done this Ou
| law upon this subject should be put il
better order and should especially be Sc
| modified that the substantial interests o
the State Can find ample security at home
"Other subjects suggest themselves, bu
| they shall have more mature consideration
| before | venture to discuss them