Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-23

John E. Semmes.
powers which can, and, according to all
human probability. will be grossly abused
by such officers for partisan purposes, as
similar though less extensive powers have
| been abused in the past; threatens the most
precious rights of our citizens and endan-
gers self-government in Maryland.
The president of the Reform League is
Mr.. John E. SemmeS. prominent demo-
crat, who at one time was the city's law
officer. He is one of the beSt-known at
torneyS in the city and always a leader
in movements for the betterment of munic-
ipal government.
Campaign in City.
The municipal campaign with politics and
the municipal campaign without politics are
both progressing at white heat. Tho man
ayers of the improvement campaign seem
confident that the loan ordinances will be
passed. Mr.. Frank A. Furst, who. with
Representative Wachter. is joint chairman
of the campaign committee, claims that the
loans will have majority of 10. 600
This campaign abounds in unusual fea-
lures. For instance, large factories have
set apart certain hours on a certain day
for meetings to be held in their plants, at
which the loans are explained to the en-
pioyes. The assistant commissioner of
health. DR.. c.. Hampsoh Jones, is in attend
arce at all large meetings. and by means
OF Stereopticon presents views of city
streets fairly reeking with refuse and pol
luted water coursing down the cutters.
And these views are not taken from the
sections where squalor and poverty reign,
but from some of the best residential Sec
tons in the city.
The councilmanic campaign is being con-
Quoted along clean lines and as the candi-
dates of both parties are pledged to the i'm
provement loans there is really no issue in
the contest. Therefore there is not much
interest in the contest. and personal popu-
1arty will play a big part in many of the
wards.
Municipal Ownership.
The first blow against city ownership
came this week when suit was instituted
in the circuit court asking that the court
declare the whole plan of acquiring dock
property null and void. The ground upon
which the suit is based is that the city has
no right to acquire property for the pur-
pose of leasing it to private corporal lions,
and that act which gives the municipal
ity such right is in conflict with the state
and federal constitutions and the bill of
rights 1t is alleged in the bill of complaint
that the process of condemnation which is
provided for in the act is unlawful. be-
cause it does not give the right of hearing
by jury except upon an appeal and the
payment of the costs of such an appeal.
1t is further claimed that the city has no
more right to acquire this property on the
wharyes for the purpose of leasing it in
turn to other corporations than it has to
acquire property for a similar purpose in
any other section of the city.
1t will be seen that the suit is of vital inn
portance, especially as a loan of $1,000, 900
has been passed for dock improvements.
Not only would the declaring of the act
null and void prevent further acquiring of
dock property, but lawyers hesitate to say
whether it might not invalidate the pur-
chase of all property which has been &C
quired prior to the filing of the suit.
An Interesting Rumor.
There is persistent talk in certain political
circles that Gov. Warfield has his weather
eye on a seat in the United States Senate.
Politicians who watch the straws declare
that there is more in recent move to lead
them to the belief that the governor has
cast to the winds his idea that he desired
no further political honors from the people
of Maryland, and that he intends to make
an effort to succeed Senator German
Since the vacancy in the state senate
caused by the election of John Gill to Con-
gress the politicians have been casting
about for a suitable man to fill the berth.
Several names have been mentioned, but
failed to develop any following. And it is
the last name proposed that has set the
political tongues wagging. 1t is that of
DR.. Writ A. Duvall, one of the examining
police surgeons, an appointee of the gov
ernor. The senatorship will hold over until
the successor of German is elected in 1908.
and the rumOr is that the governor would
De able TO make good start IN the state
senate with Duvall and Perkins, the latter
being holdover senator. Senator Perkins
was close to Gov. Warfield at the last legis-
lative session and has openly declared that
he is done with the democratic organiza-
ton.
Gov. Warfeld's strength in the counties
is admitted, even by the German element
and 1t is believed that IL he takes q stand
to show that he really wants the senator
ship, he might be able to land the prize,
even though German should oppose him.
Defends Nan Patterson.
Grace Howard, who was a member of
the original "Florodora' company, is
prisoner at the central station here. She
is held awaiting extradition papers from
Philadelphia. where she is wanted on the
charge of being fugitive from the house
of correction.
Miss Howard is an attractive looking
young woman and claims that she Is the
victim of persecution. She stated that she
was member of the ls'Florodora'' company
for two seasons, and that she knows Nan,
Patterson Intimately.
II was with Miss Patterson for two sea-