Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1901-01-25
Proposed Extra Session.


the Legislature Of Maryland, subject which
has for some time been sgitated throughout
the State, the Baltimore Sun Of Wednesday
gives the following:
Governor Smith has not yet decided 10
call an extra session of the Legislature.
His position was correctly stated 10 the Sun
yesterday morning. He is carefully watch.
ing the drift Of public sentiment as he learns
it and is prepared TO weigh all arguments
for and against the proposition,
II have not decided to call an extra ses
sion, Notwithstanding published state ment
in morning paper TO that effect. also
saw it stated that had attended a confer
ence of party lead ers, at which the subject
was fully discussed. II there was any such
conference, know nothing Of it,"
Further than this the Governor declined
to talk. The general impression in Demo.
cratic circles Is that decision will proba-
bly, not be reached for several days, and il
will be promptly announced when reached
It is thought the Governor will not keep in
suspense any longer than possible either the
public or the members OF the Legislature,
who may have important business affairs TO
arrange before going to Annapolis Tor sew
eral weeks
The impression lie gaining ground among
members of the Legislature and Democratic
leaders that special session will be called
to meet next month or early 10 March, and
ehaN 10 mil inn OF mn In ri ha
full 80 days allowed by the Constitution.
In other words, the General Assembly, II
called together, will be requested TO pass
certain important measures, among them an
amendment of the ballot law which will do
away with party emblems and sample bal
lots and provide carefully drawn regulations
az to residences of voters, will pass an act
enabling Baltimore city to float loan for a
general sewerage system, and probably ar
range for a new census of the population oil
Maryland by the State authorities.
Mayor Hayes appears to think the extra
session will be called, and Is already con-
sidering features OF an enabling act which
he will ask the Legislature to pass, looking
10 the securing of the sewerage system for
Baltimore.
1t is thought the majority leaders will en-
deavor to shut of as much general legisla.
ton OF other character as they can and to
have rs short special session rs possible.
About the time the Legislature will adjourn
the spring campaign in the city will be get
ting we'll under way, and the first test Of
popular approval or disspprovsl will be
made here, as we'll as the q rst trial of any
changes in the laws governing registration
and elections.
Dissatisfaction with the result OF the re.
cent Federal census is growing all over the
State, according to reports from Democratic
leaders. Gen. l.. Victor Bsughman has
been particularly active In advocating a
State census and urging 1t as one of the chief
matters to be considered by the extra session.
He said yesterday that his views upon the
subject were growing stronger. Unless a
State census is taken, he said, the apportion.
ment of representation in the House OF Del
egates must be made on the basis OF the Fed
eral census, 10 the accuracy of which he did
not believe.
"Any steps in this matter must be taken
at an extra session" he remarked, "as there
will be no regular session until after the next
election, and we would be remedying an
error which no one could reasonably anti
cipate would be committed"
Governor Smith, in speaking of the mat
ter on Wednesday, said:
"The question of an extra session is an
important one and l have refrained iron
discussing or speaking of it for publication
because have not yet concluded what |
shall do in the matter. The Constitution
places upon me the full responsibility OF Is
suing the call.
"In my judgment no mere question Of
party expediency alone would be sufficient
justification for calling an extra session. |
shall be governed solely by desire to serve
the public and advance the welfare of the
State"