Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-28
THE MARYLANDS OLONS
BILLS AMENDING THE ELECTION
LAWS THE WEEKS FEATURE.
Special Correspondence of The Star.
BALTIMoRE Ma 1arn,,v .;

There are indications that the legislature
| has at last decided to get down to work
The feature of the week was the introduc-
ton of three bills for amendment of the
election laws. One was introduced in the
upper house by Senator Linthicum (dem.
OF this city; another in the house by Dele
gate Lehmayer tdem.,, and a third in the
house by Delegate Goodwin (rep). also of
This city. The bill introduced by Delegate
Lehmayer contains some excellent pro-
visions, which if adopted would abolish the
trick ballot
Unlike the bill introduced by Senator
Lnthicum, the Lehmayer measure does not
vest dieretion to the voters intent
with the judges of election. 1t provides
that all cross marks shall be counted even
II the tails extend beyond the boundaries
or the squares, provided the point of inter-
section is wholly within
The bill also provides that where a voter
plumbers in marking for any one set of
candidates the others on the ticket shall not
be affected, and likewise makes provision
that no ballot shall be thrown out because
OF improper folding. Among the city lei
ers there is no material objection to the
changes proposed by Delegate Lehmayer
they are disposed to accept any bin which
Will make voting easier, but the s ate lead
ers In the counties may be expected to fight
make the law uniform throughout the sta te.
The local leaders of democracy are favor
aole 10 restoration of the party emblem
on ballots, and it is said that such an
amendment will be offered or one by which
one mark would carry the party ticket
Inc Dill introduced by Delegate God
is the Ola Reform League law of 1886, which
was emasculated at the extra session of
1901, called by Gov. John Walter Smith at
the instance of Senator German when the
latter GRATED such changes as would in
sure the return of democratic Legislature
ana 1ne consequent return of Senator Cor
man to the United States Senate to succeed
Senator Wellington, who as chairman Of
the republican state central committee had
directed the campaign Of 1885 which re-
suited In the overthrow of the German
Rasin machine and retired the sage of
Laurel from public life in Washington
Hunt of Graft.
While the members of third house" or
lobbyists have not been SO numerous or dis
played such activity as in the past sessions
of the legislature there is, however just
cropping out some hints OF graft. An even
Ing paper here asserts that a well-known
steamship company and people along the
line Of the Chesapeake and Delaware canal
are keeping small but select coterie OF
lobbyists at the state house to further the
interests of the measure before the legisla-
ture to grant the canal company power to
levy toll upon all passengers carried over
the Old interstate waterway. number of
Influential eastern shore politicians are ar
rayed against the bill and a bitter and in
teresting fight is anticipated.
To the credit of the present legislature it
can be stated as a fact that it is clearer of
glaft and lobbying in all forms than any
OF Its predecessors. The governors vigor-
Gus denunciation of lobbying and decided
stand against graft in all form. as contained
salutary effect. The lobbyists realize that
Gov. Warfield was not playing to the gal
leries when he issued his pronunciamento
against crooked methods and that he will
not hesitate to adopt vigorous measures
should any attempt be made to influence
legislation as has been in such bold and
Migrant ways In the past The governor is
keeping close tab On affairs at the state
house and attending to the minutest details
in all affairs which concern the welfare of
the state The strained relations between
Mr. Warield and the leaders of the party
organization have caused him to be doubly
cautious In all state affairs, his ambition
being to have a clean administration, Tree
from all faint or even suggestion of scandal
when his term shall expire.
Smoke Bill Prepared.
A bill having for its object the abolition
of the smoke nuisance in this city has just
been completed by committee of lawyers
appointed by the Anti-Smoke League. This
measure will be introduced in the legisla-
ture and not in the city council, because 1t
IS believed by the league that law passed
by the highest legislative body of the state
can be made more effective and lasting in
It's benefits. In several western cities
where the smoke nuisance is regulated by
city ordinances the city officials have failed
to compel a compliance with the regula-
tions of the law, and in this way railroads
and factories have notwithstanding the
existence of a restraining law, been able to
successfully evade its mandates.
A member of the league stated to The
Star CORRESPONDENT TODAY that the hill
prepared covers the exigencies of the situa-
ton much more thoroughly than either the
Washington or Philadelphia laws on the
same subject. The bill makes the emission
of smoke from any stack within the city
limits misdemeanor punishable by fine,
which shall continue daily until such time
as the nuisance shall be deemed abated.
Private dwellings are exempted because,
except in isolated. cases the smoke from
a residence is not of sufficient volume to
make a perceptible change in the sur
rounding atmosphere
Intercity Trolley Hitch.
A slight hitch in the plans of the Wash
ington, Baltimore and Annapolis railway
to complete the line between Baltimore and
Washington came last Monday when the
city council railway committee gave public
hearing on the ordinance granting franchises
to the railway company to occupy certain
streets of the city. Opposition to tracks on
German street came from several merchants
whose warehouses are located along tnat
thoroughfare. and who protested against
the laying of tracks on this street Pres
ident Bishop of the intercity line has adj
dressed a communication to the city coun-
ell setting forth that majority of the
property owners in that section are in ia
vor of the granting of the franchise. Pres
ident Bishop also presented a petition
signed by 175 owners and tenants of bust
ness property within the district through
which the line will pass asking favorable
consideration by the council of the applica-
ton of the railway company for terminal
facilities. In conclusion President Bishop
states:
''In view of the long period of time which
has been necessary in working out the de-
tails of a most difficult engineering prob
lem. and in view of the fact that our prof.
est is financed and stand ready to be-
gin it's construction Immediately upon the
granting of franchise, We ask favorable
ami early consideration of our application.
The council committee will probably hold
another meeting next week, when final ac
ton will be taken.
To Run Dairy Special.
Plans are now being perfected for the
running of a dairy special from this city
through the great milk-producing sections
of Maryland. The splendid results of the
corn and tobacco specials run some weeks
4ol.,