The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-03-29
LETTER FROM ANNAPOLIS.
STATE HOUSE. ANNAPOLIS,
March d. 1902.

terest is lost to sight in this corporation
body whenever a private or corporation Dill
comes up for action. In fact it is but fair to
say without exaggeration that never before in
the history of this State have the corporations
been so powerful In the General Assembly as at
the present time. Hour after hour and day
after day have been passed in one monotonous
grind of corporation bills of all sorts, a large
proportion of which will be hawked around after
the close of the session and sold to the highest
bidder for whatever they may bring. Obscure
and irresponsible people have been able tosecure
trust company and other charters, containing
extraordinary powers. and many of these people
could not obtain a FIVE dollar bill on their note
at any rate of interest, even from the most reck-
less money lender. And yet such men have
been granted charters of all Sorts to dc all sorts
Of things which should only be confded to the
most trustworthy and solvent men in the COM
munity. Reckless corporation legislation has
been the feature of the session, and powers
have been granted to individuals and associa-
lions which will rise up in the future to hamper
the people and plague the children Of those
who have been so prodigal in,giving them away
without adequate restrictions placed upon them.
The political atmosphere has not changed. So
far as partisan matters are concerned the COM
bination of Mr.. Straus, the Anne Arundel
Democrats and the Republicans still control the
House and prevents the Democratic bosses from
carrying out their plans. These plans, it is now
known, were to pass further laws against the
integrity of the ballot and to restrict the suf-
frage to the greatest extent possible under the
Constitution. This has been prevented by the
combination, and if it accompishes nothing else
it will have deserved the thanks of the people.
The Democratic majority in the Senate has been
at all times ready to pass any measure, no mat
ter how drastic, which would be to the interest
of the managers Of their party, and they have
only been held in check by the fear that the
House would retaliate and hold up their meas
ures. Hence they have been on their good be-
havior in regard to political bills. They have
tried in all possible ways to break up the COM
bination have made all kinds of propositions to
both Republican and Democratic members to
aid them, but have failed to accomplish their
ends.
The session will end Monday night at IL o'clock.
So far as any good to the people is concerned in
the way of legislation it would have been better
had it never met One good, however, it has ac-
complished and that is to have demonstrated
the utter inability of the Democratic party to
lead" in in any creditable manner. 1t has also
demonstrated the unpopularity of the same
leaders, and has shown the people of the State
their complete selhshness and thorough disre-
gard Of anything that is intended for the good
of the entire people
Among the county bills already passed. and
now in the hands Of the Governor are the fol-
lowing: M
To amend Mechanics Lien law as to Baltimore
county.
To authorize County Commissioners to build
school house at Sparrow's Point.
To or1fhori1n County commissioners IN rpifn-
burse Arthur w. Shanklin for clerk hire.
To authorize County Commissioners to build
school house in 1st district.
To regulate granting franchises in Baltimore
county.
To amend laws as to county police force.
To give county ten additional days for racing.
The following bills have been introduced by
Mr.. Painter:
To amend Mechanics Lien law as to Baltimore
county. This law abolishes the socalled me-
chanics lien of the material man only. Except
when such materials are supplied by contract
with owner of building or his agent direct"
This abolishes a most prolific source of fraud
whereby so many innocent owners, without
notice. have had to pay twice for their houses.
The true lien of the mechanic is left untouched.
Passed.
To prohibit electric railway companies from
WOThlUB iuOIOTLucu duu COuuuCtOIS LuOTC tudu
IL hours day.-General, passed House.
In interest of farmers. to repeal hay huckster
license in city.
70 repeal act granting power to Commission
ers of Baltimore county to borrow $150OOO.-
Local, passed.
To amend Constitution to prohibit corrupt
practices at elections.-Third reading.
To allow parents or guardians residing in
county to send their children or wards to the
schools in any other county or city in which
they pay taxes.-General, passed.
To regulate appointments and dismissas on
police force of county.-Local, passed House.
To prevent Supervisors of Election and Sher
if publishing duplicate notices of election at
county's expense.-General, passed House.
To incorporate Washington Savings Bank.
To regulate and limit the granting and sale of
public franchises by County Commissioners
Local. passed House.
To regulate salaries of Board of Supervisors.
To Ak hours of closing County Clerks Office
at Towson.
To amend and perfect the local primary laws
of Baltimore county.-Passed.
To allow trustees to appoint assistant teach
ers as well as principals in public schools.-Kill
ed in Senate.
Mr.. Rogers bill providing for appointment of
The bill to provide five County Commissioners
will not pass the Senate. Mr.. Hubner is en-
phatically opposed to it.
1t is but fair to say that while the delegation
is composed of strong partisans, with few ex-
captions the bills presented have been unob-
jectionabe from county standpoint. AS a
general thing the Objectionable bills have been
introduced in order to crafty outsiders and in
most instances the delegates have been prompt
in their attendance, and have looked out care
fully for the county interests.
The Senate yesterday passed the following
bill. introduced by Senator Ravenscroft
ANY person under the age of Il years who
spirituous or fermented liquors are sold and
procure, or attempt to procure, any liquor there
in, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon
conviction thereof shall be fined not less than 81
nor more than $40 provided that the testimony
the prosecution of any person selling or giving
liquors to minors under the laws of this State
shall not be used against such minor in prose
cution under this act; nor shall any minor be
convicted for procuring such sale of such liquor
when the vendor has been indicted for the sale
thereof and the evidence of the minor has been
adduced in proof of such sale by such vendor"
A BIT of good fortune has come suddenly to
Joseph Zane, a crippled inmate of Bayview
Asylum, Baltimore, where he had been for
ten years. BY the death of a rich old uncle,
who was successful business man in Boston.
he inherites something over 100000. Two
nieces of the deceased-Mrs. Georgiana Kel.
ley and Mrs. Ellen Claridge, both residents
of BaItimore-also inherit about 500, 900 each,
while number of other relatives come in for
smaller amounts. The testator, whose name
was also Joseph Zane, was widower without
children, and spent much of his time among
his Baltimore relatives, all Of whom were
poor.
A ROMANTIC young couple, the bridegroom
a Cuban and the bride Canadian. were mar
ried in the dome of the Capitol at Washington,
about noon on Wednesday last. What reason
they had for wishing to be united in the bonds
of wedlock three hundred feet above the earth
they did not make public. The knot was tied
bv a Justice of the peace and only few persons