The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-01-08
MOONS PHASES.
MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE.


MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE.
The January session of the legisla-
ture of Maryland 1904, convened at
Annapolis on Wednesday. The or
ganization of the two branches were
as follows: President of the State
Senate, Col. Spencer c. Jones; Speaker
of the House Of Delegates, DIR. George
y. Everhart The minor positions
are the same as two years ago with
the exception of one or two changes.
This session of the legislature prom
Uses to be one of the most memoir
able in the history of the State, and
on its action the future of the demo-
cratic party will largely depend. The
democrats have more than two
thirds majority in each house and can
pass any legislation that they see fit.
On them will devolve the RESPONSE
bility of many important matters,
the ratification or the rejection of
which will mean much to the present
management.
One of the most important duties
will be the election of United States
Senator to succeed the present incum-
bent, Louis E. McComas, whose term
expires March 4th, 1905. Much has
been said and written about his sue
cessor, and, as is usual, the county
press of the State has been active in
behalf of some one of the different
candidates The first ballot will be
taken on January 10th and if VIC mis-
take not public sentiment the Hon.
1sidor Rayner will be selected. He
has made manly fight and one that
has attracted the admiration even of
his bitterest enemies. Onno occasion
has he attempted to persuade men,
bers of the General Assembly to go
against the wishes of their constitu-
ents. On the contrary, he has taken
the bold stand Of declining the aid of
any personal vote that was not
backed by the local sentiment OF the
community that it represented. The
proper recognition of such tactics
cannot fail to cement the democratic
party, which, at the last general
election, showed what it could do
when all elements were united. How
anyone can in the face OF the present
political situation urge the defeat of
the one man that the party at large
demands seems almost incompre-
hensible. Flushed with the recent
successes, the party should remember
that it was the people back oft who
made such victory possible, and
that these same people will cast a
vote at every succeeding election. 1t
is but natural to suppose that they
will bear in mind the treatment that
their wishes have received from the
managers and future ballots will be
deposited accordingly.
Besides the election of United States
Senator, the important question of
the adoption of a constitutional
amendment which will in a measure
serve to disfranchise the negro, will
be up for consideration. Right in
this connection we ask to bepardon-
ed for egotism in saying that the first
newspaper, either daily or weekly, in
the State of Maryland that favored
the adoption of this constitutional
amendment was The Egis. For sev-
eral years it fought the battle unaid-
ed by other assistance than the con-
viction that it was right in the adj
vanced stand looking to raising the
standard of the privilege of suffrage.
Since that time powerful allies have
been brought to our way ofthinking,
and after years of waiting we now
expect to see the practical accom-
plishment of what we have striven
for since 1894.
Many other matters will come be-
fore the present session. Our own
county will probably ask for consid-
cradle legislation including measures
looking to the improvement Of our
public highways. Our legislators
should get the more important bills
introduced as early in the session as
possible, so that the people of the
State may intelligently follow their
action.