The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-02-11
THE MARYLAND
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The Baltimore Catastrophe Uppermost
In Minds Of Legislators.
RAYNER'S VICTORY AND RESULTS
He OutgeneraIed the Bosses and Put
them to Rout-ls Not Pulled Up
Legislation Of Interest to Garrett
Countians.
From our Special Correspondent.
STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS,
FEBRUARY 8 1904


Although, for the time being, the
Baltimore fire has dwarfed every
sther topic of conversation into in
significance, and while such legisla-
ton as is transacted here, not bearing
en- the calamity, is done in perfume
tory way, the settling of the senate
rial fight, and the opening of a new
line of vision in politics opens also Il
vast field for speculation, which will
not be touched in this letter however
The election of Mr.. Isador Rayner
to succeed Senator McComas in Wash
ington, By most political observers,
was unexpected. 1t was by many
sonsidered impossible. Nevertheless
it came to pass, and AS it turns out, is
probably the solution which leaves
the fewest sores to heal. Mr.. Ray
ner's selection has pleased a vast
number of people who would other
wise have been dangerous and ugly
at the next time of need. He himself
bears his new hOnors mOdestly, and
although he would be pardoned to
some extent if he did not, when the
nature of his wonderful fight is con-
sidered, nevertheless no such traits
have been made manifest, or at least
had not been prior to the fire, when
the senatorial row was forgotten in
the new interest.
Last night the first railroading work
done this session was transacted in
the general assembly. both houses
and the governor taking part. This
was in the creating of ten days of
legal holiday in Maryland to give the
business of Baltimore a chance to
rally somewhat before claims or judg
ments could be forced. The mayor
and city council will further ! e en-
powered by an enabling act, to be i'm
mediately introduced, to borrow
money to meet this enc "gency,
in addition to the sum OF 100000,
which it is generally underst ood that
the legislature will appropri lte.
At the state house today scussion
was general of a plan to V len all of
the streets OF Baltimore roughout
the burned district. The most prac-
teal plan proposed was f)r the city
to condemn frontages enough to make
all of these streets from 1u0 to $50 feet
wide. The idea that til Sc thorough
fares should be wider al yhow, and at
this juncture such llan would be
equivalent to placing the city's credit
to certain extent, al least, at the
disposal of more or less ruined prop
erty holders, ard by the money thus
paid them for condemned frontages,
assistance given to rebuild. New
structures would be set further back
in their lots. There would be less
pack yards and wider streets.
In the meantime the legislation
asked for, for the improv ement of
Baltimore sewerage system, i'm
proved paving, etc, will not be push
ed until later this session, or possibly
until next session, although this is
meeting with opposition, many hold
ing that now is he best time to rush
the bills through while the streets
can be most adyantageously torn up
for the work.
The legislature took recess from
9 O'Clock today until 2, awaiting rec
concentrations from Governor War