Evening star., 1902-01-01
STRAUS GETS IN LINE
Democrats Organize the Maryland
Legislature Without Hitch.
TROUBLE HAY COME LATER ON
Mr. Straus Declares His Surrender
is Only Temporary.
GOVERNOR SMITHS MESSAGE

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS, Nd. jan
uary 1.-The general assembly of Mary
land was organized promptly at noon to-
day without a hitch and sthe program of
the democratic bosses was carried through
without friction.
John Hubner Of Baltimore was elected
president OF the senate, and Noble
L. Mitchell OF Hartford county. speaker Of
the house. The other officers elected in
the senate We're Albert Ritter OF Fred
ertck, secretary; Albert J. Almony Of
Rockville, reading clerk. and Richard
Worthington of Baltimore, journal clerk.
In the house DIR. Benjamin l.. Smith of
Dorchester was chosen chief Clerk Mr.
Frederick Sassier Of Prince Georges
county journal clerk, and Walter r. Town
send reading clerk.
The republican nominees were: For pres
ident of the senate, Lewis Putzel Of Balti-
more, and Abraham Lincoln Dryden Of
Somerset for speaker of the house.
The respective nominees polled their fun
party vote and the democratic candidates
were chosen by a majority OF eight in the
senate and seven in the house.
Gov. Smiths Message.
Governor Smith sent his biennial mes
sage to the general assembly after the or
ganzation OF the two houses. Ii is long
and uninteresting document. and Is devoted
to a detailed account of the condition of
public affairs since the opening of his ad-
ministration two years ago. He defends the
extra session of last year and commends
the new election law and the state census.
He recommends several changes in the bal
lot law which will make it more difficult
for illterate citizens TO vote and still fur
ther restrict the suffrage The state
finances are shown to be In excellent condi-
ton, but rigid economy Is urged upon the
general assembly.
The usual time-honored ceremonies were
used in the opening of the two houses. and
the whole proceeding was formal and dig
nified.
Notices of contest were filed by both par
ties against several members who were
returned elected and at least one-third OF
the members of the two houses have con-
tests on their hands, which are about
equally divided between the two parties.
The general impression is that most Of
these are merely bluffs and will never be
pushed to conclusion, as that would in
volve too much time and labor and prevent
to a great extent the transaction of any
other business.
Democratic Break Averted.
The threatened break in the ranks Of the
democrats was averted after much trouble
and many conferences, which LASTED up to
the opening at noon. Governor Smith acted
as peacemaker and managed to persuade
Mr.. Straus and his friends to allow the
organization of the house to take place
without a row. Mr.. Straus, IN explaining
his position, said that he had in no wise
abated his hostility to the bosses. but would
defer further action until later. While the
work of orga anizing the house was going
on Chairman Vandiver and other democratic
bosses managed affairs from the speakers
room.
Among the prominent republicans at An
napolis were Representatives Wachter and
Schirm, who acted as advisors TO the re-
publican members of the general assembly.
After the conclusion of the work of or
ganizing the two houses of the general as
sembly and the reading of the governors
message an adjournment was taken until
next Tuesday at pm.