The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-05-08
SHARP CRITICISM.
Senator Putzel Says State Senate Did
Not Pass One Bill For We'll
fare of People.
HIS DEFEkSE OF Mr.. ISAAC [. STRAUS
Who, With the Republican Mem bers of the
House of Delegates, Were Enabled to
Block Ubiquitous Legislation and Pre-
vent Corruption Within State House.

anu IGe-
vent Corruption Within State House.
State Senator Louis Putzel. Repub-
lican leader in the General Assembly,
was asked to give his opinion of the
legislation enacted by the General
Assembly, and this is what he said:
ut is human not TO appreciate the
blessings we enjoy. 1t is a rare indi-
vidual, indeed, that is thankful for
the preservation of his health. This
trait of human weakness is infinitely
magnified in respect to the preserva-
ton of our civil political rights. The
people Of Maryland cannot be too
grateful for the fortunate combina-
ton of events that prevented the
Democratic managers from working
their will at the last session of the
Legislature. The plans had all been
mapped out by the craftiest politi-
clans in the United States to take
possession of the State of Maryland,
its profits and appurtenances. Mr..
Straus and members of the Anne Ar
undel county delegation of the House
prevented their plans from being con-
summated. What were the Demo
cratic managers after? If the Anne
Arundel delegates had not abandoned
them, the Democratic managers would
have passed laws to their own advan-
tage for the following purposes:
II. The election law would have
been further mutilated by removing
the party designation from the ballot.
1t would have been absolutely impos-
sible for the illiterates to vote, and it
would be difficult for even a man of
limited education to mark his ballot.
80. The private sewerage bill would
have passed that would have placed
the people of Baltimore at the mercy
OF private sewerage company for the
benefit of certain individuals who
now dominate the Democratic party.
-. The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
would have been handed over to these
same individuals.
The Republicans in the House of
Delegates, with the aid of Mr.. STRAINS
and the Anne Arundel county dele
gates passed:
II. The Reform League corrupt
practices act which the Democratic
Senate rejected.
''2. A bill designating some of the
most distinguished citizens of the
State as a commission to investigate
the public school system of the State.
This bill was also defeated by the
Democratic Senate, although the
Democratic party was pledged to the
passage of a bill of this kind.
Il challenge anyone to mention a
single meritorions bill affecting the
welfare of the people of the State that
was passed by the Democratic Senate
which was not approved by the
House. might go further and chal-
lenge anyone to mention single bill
intended to promote the welfare Of
the people of the entire State that
was passed by the Senate. The pri-
mary election law was worthless as
adopted by the Senate. | have been
informed that many mistakes were
made in Incorporating amendments
in the primary election law while in
the process of engrossing. These mis-
takes were detected by persons not
members of the Legislature, and
still have my doubts as to whether
the bill as signed by the Governor, is
in the form in which it was passed.
1.-The attitude of the Senate upon
the corrupt practices act might be
called grotesque if the matter were
not so serious. Apparently there was
no opposition to it. The Governor of
the State and former Attorney Gen
eral Poe were present at the Reform
League hearing before the Senate on
the afternoon before the final vote
was taken. Mr.. Poe spoke earnestly
in favor Of the bill. He accompanied
the Governor and it was generally
supposed that the bill had the Gov
ernor's approval. In spite of this it
was publicly stated by Democratic
Senator that it was the Governors
influence that prevented the passage
of the bill. The tactics of the Senate
in regard to the sewerage bill were
equally as interesting. The Demo
cratic Senators, against the protest
of all three Senators from the city,
insisted upon taking the name of Mr..
Bonaparte from the commission. 1t
was evidently disappointment to
them when the Republican members
of the Senate voted for the bill in
spite of the rejection of the name of
Mr.. Bonaparte. When the bill was
referred to a conference committee