Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18
Special Correspondence of The Star.

W the democratic leaders. Inc action OF
the Talbot county democrats in refusing to
indorse the disfranchsement amendment at
their convention came thunderbolt out
of clear sky to the state leaders. While
! it was not denied that there was opposition
to the measure within the party ranks in
Talbot, even the most sanguine republican
had not even dreamed of such an unmis-
taxable seal of disapproval being set upon
the measure. by the democrats.
The democratic lea ers fear. too. that this
initial step by Talbot county will be fol-
lowed by other county conventions. A
prominent democratic Office holder. an APP
pointee of Gov Warfield, by the way. stated
to The Star correspondent today that he
would not be surprised to see Montgomery
county follow the lead of Talbot and refuse
10 indorse the Poe plan when the conven-
ton meets in Rockville.
The republican leaders, on the other hand
find much to encourage their belief that the
amendment will be defeated A gentleman
high in the councils of the republican party
stated to The Star correspondent during the
meeting of the state central committee that
he was fearful of the passage of the amend
ment, inasmuch as he had number of re-
publicanS from the eastern shore who had
stated that they intended to vote for the
Poe plan. Il argued the matter with sew
eral of them" continued this gentleman,
land succeeded in bringing them around to
b.
many others whom will not be able to
reach and fully explain the iniquities of the
measure during the short campaign when
| now seems assured. However, the repub-
lfcan leaders will make the greatest nght
in the history of the party to bring about
the defeat of the Poe plan"
This same gentleman. when seen by Inc
Star correspondent today, said: Yes, am
now most sanguine of success. The trend
of affairs within the democratic ranks, as
shown by the Talbot county convention.
clearly indicates to me that unless some
thing unforeseen happens the Poe amend.
ment will meet with overwhelming DEFEAT
Anti-Amendment Democrats.
A gentleman who stands very close to
Gov Warfield is authority for the statement
that some of the leading democrats of Bal
timore are about to effect an organization
to be known as the Anti-AmenomehI
League The tentative plans of the league
include the organization of workers in
every ward in an effort to carry each anu
every ward against the Poe plan
Another powerful factor in the night 10
be waged against the amendment rs the
Reform League. Mr.. Charles ]. Bonaparte
is the head. and as chairman of the ex-
ecutive committee will in all probability
personally direct the work of the league.
1t seems certain that the city primaries
for both parties will be held on september
IS, the date fixed by law, as the chairmen
of the respective city committees DO NOT
seem to be able to agree on GATE he
republicans favor early primaries ana d
long campaign, while the democratic lead
ers have decided upon short canvass, and
hence are holding out for late primaries
When the court of appeals reconvenes
at Annapolis next week decision OF ereal
inheritance to Baltimore is expected TO be
handed down. This decision is the tax
easement case against the Consolidated Gas
Company, which involves taxes on apout
&c. 600 900 worth of easements and Which II
acrl1t in n
CITY tax rate The case was tried in the
lower courts and the decision handed down
was to the effect that it was right ana
proper for the city to tax the easements
possessed by the gas company IT, the city
streets An appeal was taken by the gas
company and If its contentious are upheld
the city will drop the other cases whlch
have been filed against the United Railways
Company and the other public service cor
porations which enjoy easements from the
city. If the gas company loses, the other
case will be pushed, and a total of more
than $4,000 coo of taxable property is in
volved A decision in favor of the city
in all of the cases will mean a reduction or
from 10 to 10 cents the present tax
rate. The decision will be one of great in
terest to other large cities.
Ship Canal Project.
The proposition to build the Maryland
and Delaware ship canal, which would
bring the port of Baltimore nearer the
ocean and save the long trip around the
capes, Is being revived. and it seems likely
that some definite steps will be taken in
the near future toward carrying the pro-
tect to realization.
President Julian ]. Alexander of the
Georges Creek Coal Company, who is inter-
ested in the project, said the canal would
be the means Of bringing greater commerce
to Baltimore and would make it one of the
greatest ports of entry and export on the
In inc tic
canal President Alexander said:
There are only three routes that are to
be considered The first is the Choptank
Centerville and the third and, to my mind,
the best the Sassafras river route
BY the Choptank the distance from Bal
timore to the ocean is $50 miles, the num-
Der of miles saved over the present route
to the ocean via the Chesapeake bay en-
trely being 115 miles and the estimated
cost SO, 100000.
Through the route via Centerville the
cost will be $4,000, coo. though this route is
LOT miles, saving of PIT miles over the
Chesapeake bay route.
by the SaSSafras river route the distance
to the sea is 129 miles, a saving of 1876
miles. and the cost will not be over $780,
COO.
1.-The Sassafras river and Blackbird creek,
on this last route, are partially excavated
by nature, and the waterway can be con-
structed for the price mentioned and lower,
I figure, owing to the modern methods en-
ployed in excavating.
United States engineers have reported
that the Sassafras river route has no OBJ
stacles, no quicksands and no rock the soil
being chiefly clay and other soils admirably
adapted to the present system of hydraulic
dredgings."
Notes Of the Week.
A plan is on foot among the Methodists Of
Baltimore to invite the general conference
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church to meet
In this city In 1908.
Rev. Carey Bonner, the noted choir leader
of London, who will lead the international
festival Of praise at the Christian Endeavor
convention next month arrived here this
week, and is engaged in directing the choir
rehearsals. Rev. Mr.. Bonner In the cours,
of an interview. stated that the English
public is great admirer OF President
Roosevelt.
Miss Anna Grace Kennedy. a public
school teacher, received the degree of bach
elor Of laws from the Baltimore Law School
this week. Miss Kennedy enjoys the dis
tinction of being the second woman to re-
ceive that degree in Maryland.
Three students of the Baltimore City Col
lege-Warren b. Hellman. Walter s. Davis