The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-04-09
Special C01vfspondsDcs Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM ANNAP POLLS.
srArE HOUSE. AxrApoLIs. Nd,

STATE HOUSE, AEEAPoLIs, Nd,
April 7. 1904.
The General Assembly adjourned for the SEES
sion Monday night with ell the customary
scenes of turnult and confusion. Bills were
rushed through without ceremony, and mem
Voting ti S on. but a. the measures thus enacted
had all been examined by the proper commit-
tees and were generally Of local character, IL
made very little difference to the people OF the
State at large whether they were passed or not.
The general State bills had all been put through
or defeated earlier. the presiding officers wisely
considering the fact that It would be Impossible
to secure calm and Judicial action on any sub,
icct in the closing hours. Notwithstanding all
the care exercised. however. 1t VIII doubtless
more or less venom were enabled to crawl
through without discovery in the excitement;
The session will 60 down 70 the future as tn ne
most expensive to the people In the history OF
the State. Heretofore no session has cost more
than $4,000, but the one just concluded ex-
pended in al the Tn TACT aar tSat mers SUBJ
ordinate employees were on the pay roll IMAM
ever before. No doubt some of these people
weTe neded 70 e &c care Of the new State
House, but 1t is also q fact that there were many
EMPLOYEES who never did anything and who
never had any intention of doing anything:
They were there to receive pay at the hands Of
the State for services rendered In primary ana
other political contests: In some instances instances
they were not there for that purpose. Even
the positive orders of the presiding officers
could orc sneSe Men 70 ~ ali but Wander
around the corridors OF the State House ana
The APPROPRIATIONS of the session also ex-
ceeded ali previous records. Very few requests
or demands for money were refused, and. as 9
result. the tax rate will be raised from IL cents
This will be the highest State tax rate levied In
Maryland for more than TWENTY-FIVE years; 49,
In addition to the above bond issue of 81 $685.
Com nas ne State House and finish other pub
lie buildings contemplated or in course OF CON
struction. This is the largest single bond issue
complaint. however, on this score, for the build
ings to be provided are very much needed.
sohne pesS OIL hja messure pIaces Maryland on
par with other progressive states In public
school legislation. and provides adequate pay
for all teachers great Improvement on the
Next to the criticism in regard to extraye-
gance the most obvious ground for structure on
the session is that of extreme craftsmanship. In
many respects it was the most partisan body
that has met in the State House since the war
traordinary degree and everything that could
p De Dune was done to crush out efforts that were
made in behalf Of fairness and justice when
The most interesting fact which developed
during the session was the complete rupture be-
tween Governor Warfield and the leaders OF the
party which elected him.. This breach widened
as the session drew to close and 1t will be in
teresting to observe whether It will continue
on the fortunes of the Democratic party. Many
good judges of such affairs see in this situation
nothing but disaster for the party In power, and
for Several years to come. Others seem to be-
lieve that these people Will soon get together
once more and that the Republicans should moi
place any hope in the continuance OF Demo
cratic dissenslons. They should rather look tc
the effect Of the Democratic record at Anna
polls to help them in the next contest.
In some respects the Baltimore county dele
CATION was the most prominent in the House
throughout the session. Speaker Everhart
may 6e sa n IN e sa,S o. ni% Ra9
failed In bis duty in the general conduct OF the
business of the House. He was forcible and
emphatic and never failed to push the business
forward He was at times arbitrary, but it wat
necessary to be arbitrary to- hold in cheek the
turbulent and undisciplined crowd over which
he had to preside. He was generally fair In hiI
rulings. but never allowed technicalities to iE
terfere with the conduct of business. He de
veloped greatly as the session progressed. and
some of his warmest friends during the closing
days were members of the opposition party
He did what has never been done before at An
napolis by q Democratic Speaker, he named
several Republicans to clerksniPs 70 aid IN nm
close of the session. When he TOOK the floor ht
proved to be forcible speaker and his word
were effective and to the point:
Mr.. Benson was easily the best deDater In the
House. He was not given to words, but bis de
livery was excellent and he has that rare facult,
of being. able to think while % nis rect. ~
was handicapped the whole SESSION Dy tne rae
that he was chairman of the post unpopula
committee, that of Corporations; ana thi
generally interfered seriously with bis influ
ence. Messrs. Green, Stevenson ana Fltzsim
mons also made good records and were among
the most popular men in the State Rouse. IL
due to these three gentlemen to 8 cate that the,
used all their efforts to defeat the Legislation
designed to aid the county machine to retain IT
grip on public affairs. That they failed was M
fault of theirs, but rather the fault of the othe
members of the county delegation. Greatly t.
the disappointment of many of his friends
that was wanted. His influence. however, di'
not usually extend further than his own vote
PAUL WINCHESTER.