The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-02-16
EXTRA SESSION. CALLED.
March g the Date-The Governor 8
Reasons for the Call

Gov. John Walter Smith on Wednesday is
sued a call for an extra session of the General
Assembly to convene at Annapolis, on We'd
nesday, March 6. The Governor also issued
the following address to the people, giving his
reasons for the call
"After mature deliberation have decided that it
is my duty to call special session of the Legisla
ture.
In my Judgment, upon careful review OF the
situation an extraordinary OCCASION exists which
due regard to the welfare of the State requires me
to give to the General Assembly an opportunity to
consider pass upon and provide for.
For some months past urgent appeals have come
to me from all parts of the State to take this step
and 1 have sought to ascertain public sentiment
upon the subject by diligent and extensive inquiry
The result of my Investigation fully satisfies me
that there is a widespread and universal feeling
that there ought to be a special session.
AS TO THE OPPOSITION.
Considerable opposition has manifested itself to
the CALL as to be expected, but, while this has
made it all the necessary for me to weigh the
subject with deiberation and care, it obviously
could not relieve me of the duty of finally deciding
the question for myself under full sense of my
official responsibility. And in mining to issue
the call it is small qualification to me to feel that
am sustained by an aroused public opinion, which.
yet am not at liberty to disregard.
Having said this much, might. perhaps, well
postpone statement of the reasons which have in
huenced me, until in formal and official shape
can lay them before the General Assembly in the
special message which shall send to the two houses
when they convene. But in view of the somewhat
harsh comments which the suggestion for the call
of an extra session has elected it is proper that
shall give some explanation of the grounds
upon which deem it my duty to exercise the
power conferred on me by the Constitution and to
obey its mandate.
NECESSITY FOR CENSUS
First The necessity of prompt census of our
population under State authority in view of the
papable errors and dangerous and unjust results in
certain of the counties under the recent Federal
census
The trainers of our present Constitution of 1867,
wisely following the precedent set them by the
craftsmen of the Constitution in 1861 made proyi-
sion in Sections 8, A and of Article for rear
rangement and reapportionment of the representa-
ton to which the several counties and baltimore
city should from time to time be entitled, for upon
the justice and fairness of this representation the
excellence of our State government depends
The people of the several counties are manifestly
interested, not only that their own counties shall
have all the representation which their popula-
ton, as prescribed by the Constitution. entities
them ut they also equally interested that other
counties shall not as the result of fraud mistake
in the census. obtain an undue representation and
thus an excessive and overshadowing share of egis
lative power.
Express provision is therefore made for an emu
meration of our popua ton under State authority,
and the duty is laid upon the Governor after each
Federal census or State census to issue his proela
matt vi declaring the number of Delegates to which
each county is entitled.
THE FEDERAL CENSUS
.JJnCer the recent Federal census result has been
announced as to some of the counties which is so
totally contrary popular belief that am unwill-
lug in matter of so grave concern to accept it as
correct and to act upon it until it shall be subjected
to scrutiny and verifieation under State authority
feel that ought not to officially proclaim that to
be fact which personally and individually do
not believe to be true. to give my official sane
tion to that which believe to be both untrue and
unjust.
feel that my duty forbids my blindly accepting
and acting upon the figures given out without of
fetal investigation, and this enumeration, being
begun should be made thorough and complete and
cover the whole State, that there can be no mis-
take anywhere and no ground of complaint of dis
proporionate representation from any section what
ever The value of accuracy and fairness in vital
a matter as this is we'll worth the moderate expense
of State census.
The situation, in my opinion clearly presents an
extraordinary occasion directly covered by the
provision of the Constitution declaring that the
Governor shall convene the Legislature or the Sen
ate alone on extraordinary occasions. But this is
not ALL
THE ELECTION LAW.
Second The practical working of our present
election law demonstrates the imperative necessity
| of prompt alteration of some of its provisions
1t is not possible shut eyes to the fact that
under the sections relating to registration OF voters
many thousands of voters not bonaide residents OF
the State are permitted to register and go to the
polls and by their votes materially influence. and
in some quarters absolutely control, the votes Of
| our resident population This is great and palp
| able evil. No fair-minded man can say that II
| ought to be permitted to exist. In my judgment II
ought to be cured and prevented by effective legis
latio before at another election it again make
| itself oppressively felt.
BRIBERY.
Third Still further, something must be done
without delay to protect the suffrage from bribery
and to secure the secrecy of the ballot. This Ger
taInly is an object of the highest Importance and
no one can honestly contend that it ought not to
| be ACCOMPLISHED if possible at the earliest moment
believe it can be accomplished without inter
ference with the legal rights of and any voter by
some amen lments of our existing law wholly free
| from constitutional objection.
SEWERAGE SYSTEM.
The necessity for the prompt passage of an enabl
ing authorizing the city of Baltimore to provide
without further delay an adequate sewerage system
is urgent and the special session may also consider
and dispose of this most important subject.
EXPENSE OF SESSION.
The expense of special session cannot be great
for the session will necessarily be brief and viii
not be pected to take up miscellaneous matters
| legislation which can well await the next regular
session.
LEGISLATION CONFINED.
Calling the special session only for special pur
poses of great importance and urgency, wish it tc
be distinctly understood in ad vance that my execu
tive approval will not be given to any matters Of
| ordinary current legislation.
| With this emphatic announcement there need be
no fear that any legislation will be enacted outside
| of those measures for the passage of which the
spec al session is called.
fully realize the responsibility of the call which
have decided to issue, but upon the best consider
ton which am able to give the whole situation
feel that the conclusion which l have reached il
right and will be approved by the great body of thu
people,