The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-03-15
LETTER FROM ANNAPOLIS.
STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS,
March IL. 1902.

general election law, which will make it one of
the best laws In the country so that it is difficult
to see how the Senate can turn it down without
qualification. In fact the House has the whip
hand of the situation, and should the Senate re-
fuse to pass its reform bills, practical notice has
been served by the leaders of the coalition that
measures in which Democratic Senators are
much concerned will be held up in turn when
they come up for action in the lower body CT
the General Assembly.
Another important measure passed by the
House. is the Corrupt Practices Act. prepared
by the Reform League and introduced by Mr..
Straus. This bill has also gone to the Senate
and the onus is thrown on that body of passing or
rejectingit. The Senate in past years has passed
the bill by the votes of Democratic Senators,
SO it is difficult to see how it can turn it down at
the present time.
Time after time the Democratic leaders have
attempted to break up the coalition but without
success. Only this week they tried to pass bill
to pay $1,000 of a deficiency due for taking the
useless State census last summer. All sorts of
old-time ring tactics were used by the leaders of
the ring to break up the combination and pass
the bill, but they met with crushing defeat in
the end and the bill was ANONYMOUSLY defeated.
The debate which took place over the question
was spirited and the census affair was ventilated
to an extent heretofore unheard of, the Repub-
licans making an aggressive attack all along the
line, while the Democratic defense was absurdly
lame and impotent from start to finish. So far
as the House is concerned more reform legisla-
ton has been passed than at any time for many
years, and much Of it is in such shape that it
will probably be passed by a reluctant Senate,
although grudgingly and of necessity, not cheer
fully. The Republicans, by their skillful alli-
ance with Mr.. Straus and their other Demo-
cratic allies. have turned q defeat into victory
so far as legislation is concerned, and the peo-
pie owe them debt which cannot easily be re-
paid.
Mr.. Rogers has introduced bill to provide
five County Commissioners for the county, or
one from each three election districts as follows:
District No. l to be made up of LIST, I'd and 18th
election districts No. 2, from districts 4, and
O.; No. 8, from districts 8, 8 and Z; No. 4, from
districts o, 10 and II No. 5, from districts IL, IA
and Is. The delegates would like to know how
the people of the county look upon this bill.
Mr.. Painter has introduced most important
measure which regulates the granting of public
franchises in the county. The bill is so impor-
tant that the following synopsis is given:
.'That no franchise or right in relation to any
highway, avenue, street, lane or alley, either on,
granted by the County Commissioners of Balti-
more county until the following provisions shall
be complied with:
..The application for such franchise or right
shall be published by the applicant once week
for three successive weeks in some newspaper
published in Baltimore county and having gen.
eral circulation, setting forth the location,
character and extent of the franchise sought.
Upon the first publication of said notice it
missioners to make diiigent inquiry as to the
money value of the franchise or right asked to
be granted, and the adequacy of the compensa-
ton proposed to be paid therefor.
''If any objection is made to the granting of
the franchise asked, by any person or persons
interested therein, either as taxpayers or having
with the clerk of the Board, before the expira-
ton of said notice, opportunity shall be granted
and time set for the hearing of such Objec-
lions.
IF no valid objection is made to the granting
of such franchise, and 1t appears to the said
Board that the granting of the same is expedi-
ent and proper, the said Board shall have au-
thOrity to grant such franchise for such money
compensation as it shall appear upon inquiry
determine to be just and reasonable, and upon
such terms as to payment as may be prescribed
by said Board. for period not longer than
twenty-five years, but such grant may at the
option of the said Board provide for giving the
grantee the right on fair retaliation including
in such revaluation the value, If any, derived
from the said franchise or right to renewals not
exceeding in the aggregate twenty-five years.
Every grant of any such franchise or right shall
make provisions by way of forfeiture or other
wise of the grant for the purpose of compelling
compliance with the terms thereof and to Sc
cure efficiency of public service at reasonable
rates, and the maintenance OF the property in
good condition throughout the full term of the
grant The grant shall also specify the mode of
determining the valuation and revaluation
which may be provided for therein, and time
limitation IN which there shall be an exercise of
the rights given, and in default thereof for
lapse of the grant.
when the grant of franchise or right is made
in compliance with the afOregoing sections, the
said County Commissioners shall not part with,
but shall expressly reserve the right and duty
and al regulation in RESPECT to ali matters con-
the terms thereof.
fecting any private rights or the rights of adj
lacent landholders as now held and enjoyed by
law.
grant of any franchise or right under this Act
shall be entitled to the same when any personal
privilege has been extended by said corporation
to any member of the Board during the current
year in which the application is made, and after
the passage of this Act.
THAT all moneys received by the County Com
missioners of Baltimore county under the pro-
visions of this law shall be applied to the Gem
eral Road and Bridge account of the county"
The following bills have been introduced:
By Senator Hubner-To regulate laying car
tracks on the Baltimore and Liberty road.
By same-To sanction deed from Rich'd Wall
shall to Relay NJ. E. Church.
By same-To incorporate Patapsco Light and
Construction Company.
By Mr.. Everhart-To amend the health laws
of Baltimore county.
By Mr.. Painter-To amend the police laws of
Baltimore county.
A large delegation of gentlemen and ladies
was here Thursday to urge the passage of the
bill to prohibit the sale of liquor within one
mile of the White Hall public school. Rev. DR..
Davis, pastor of the NJ. E. Church near that
school house, headed the delegation, and as a
result of the visit the county members, with
the exception Of Mr.. Slade, agreed to favor
able report on the bill, which passed the Senate
several weeks ago, and was undergoing not
unusual process of being held up in the House.
The bill will now be passed with promptness,
unless its enemies get in some fine work. as the
Speaker and others have taken the matterup.
A great many citizens who have been here since
the bill to increase the number of Commits
sioners was introduced, have spoken in strong
terms in praise of the measure. Letters have
also been received favorable to the bill on the
ground that it will give representation on the
Board to different sections and that county af-
fairs will be better considered as result of its
enactment. PAUL WINCHESTER.
THERE DIED in Chicago a few DAYS ago, at