The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-03-01
Proceedings Of the Legislature.

The Senate and House Friday held brief
sessions. In the Senate bills were introduced
to simplify the settlement of small estates and
to amend the law relating to shares of widows
in estates of decedents. In the House set
of resolutions prepared by Isaac Lobe Straus,
the Republican leader, was passed. The res
olutions denounced alleged bossism and out
side interference with matters of legislation.
The Democrats, with a few exceptions, voted
for them, seeing that the unholy Alliace of
Straus and the Anne Arundel delegation with
the Republicans had sufficient votes to pass
them and that they amounted to nothing more
than an exhibition of spleen upon the part of
Straus. Preceding the passage there were
some hot speeches by Dallam, of Prince
Georges, Painter, of Baltimore county,
Straus, of Baltimore city, Campbell, OF the
same city, and others. Straus charged that
Dallam and others were puppets of the bosses
and in turn was charged with party lnhdellty,
disappointed ambition and told that his whole
course was dishonorable, and the result of his
not being made Speaker. After the session
was over Straus made a sneering remark to
Painter, and was promptly smacked Ill the
face. Straus attempted TO use his umbrella
but did not succeed, bystanders interfering to
stop hostilites. The Unholly Alliance dur
ing the session wanted to force the immedl-
ate production of bill to amend the election
laws The order for its production was offered
by Straus, and Painter, Chairman ofthe Com
mittee on Elections, said he could not imme-
diately comply. Upon this order a warm de-
bate ensued, and the fight was the outgrowth
of the debate.
MONDAY.
Both houses met on Monday night In the
Senate bills were passed in regard to diplomas
issued by the State Normal School and to
amend the law in regard to School Commls
sioners in the counties and to define theIi
powers The following House bills were
passed and go to the Governor for his sigma
ture-
To amend the local law of Carroll county in
regard to repositories of public funds;to extend
corporate limits of the town of Union Bridge,
to authorize the Commissioners OF Ianeytown
to purchase lot on which to build flre-en
CINE house; to amend the charter of the Sy kes-
vile Bank, of Carroll county. Special order;
second reading.
In the House bills were introduced to amend
the Constitution so as to provide punishment
for the bribe.giver only; to provide additional
punishment for drunk and diSorderly persons,
and TO repeal charters of corporations which
have not organized Favorable reports were
made on the bills to amend the Charter OF
Manchester and to refund the bonus tax paid
by the Baltimore, Westminster and Getty
burg Railway Company. The Straus cleo
ton bill, called for by resolution of the House
on Friday night, was presented by Mr.. Pam
ter of the Elections Committee without recon-
mendation. A committee was appointed 10
investigate the allegations Of bribery IN refer
ence to the bill compelling the United Rail
ways Company of Baltimore to sell SIX tickets
for Il quarter
The proceedings in the Senate mostly re-
lated to local matters, though some general
bills were introduced. In the House Mr..
Ganter's bill appropriating $500 annually to
the Manchester High School was reported
mfavorably, and his motion to substitute the
bill for the report was defeated by vote OF
SO to A.. The bill to authorize Manchester
to levy tax to pay for fire apparatus was
passed to the third reading file, also the bill
authorizing the Commissioners of Manchester
to make laws governing the town.
WEDNESDAY.
The bill amending the Charter ofthe Hamp-
stead bank was read a second time III the
Senate. and the bill postponing the assess
ment of personal property unit! 1906 was
passed. The proceedings of the House were
enlvened by tilt between Dallam, of Prince
Georges county, and Straus, Of Baltimore
City. Each accused the other of mlsstate-
ments, subserviency and other short coming
ings, and afterward each congratulated the
other on his speech. Both told the truth.
The proceeding was without the rule OF con-
duct that should obtain in the House and was
Il was IL waste of time. The law requiring
railroads to furnish separate cars or compart
ments for white and colored people, commonly
called the Jim Crow bill, was defeated by a
vote of As to 40 Ganter and Baer, Of Carroll,
voted against the bill; Fuss and Hotfacker for
it. The Senate bill appropriating $1,000 for
a bust of Schley was passed by il unanimous
vote.
THURSDAY.
Both houses held night as well as day SEES
sions and are more than making up time lost
during the early days of the session, waiting
for the organization of committees and getting
bills ready. In the Senate the Hannah oyster
bill was substituted for the untavorable report
and made a special order for next WedneS-
day night. A mass of local legislation was
considered and the House bill amending the
charter of the Hampstead Bank was passed
1t now goes to the Governor.
In the House many local bills were intro.
duced, and the vote by which Mr. Ganter S
bill appropriating $500 year to Manchester
Academy, was defeated, was reconsidered and
the bill placed on the second reading file.
The bill for the consolidation of schools and
free transportation of scholars was untavor-
able reported and the report adopted. No
law on the subject was necessary, the matter
now being in the power of the School Com
missloners.