The Washington times., 1906-03-04
HILL,
Proposed Employed Wash
DELEGATE HILL,

nations must be by direct vote. Both
these sections were stricken out as the
two party organizations objected TO
what is known as the Crawford county
system. AS adopted. the bill is the
same as in force two years ago, at
which time it was repealed.
All the election bills are still IN COM
mlttee and little hope IS entertained OF
their passing, even If reported. DR..
Hill has introduced a bill which ex-
cepts Prince George county from the
the provisions of the law compelling
a person coming from another State 70
make affidavit that he intends beCom-
ing a citizen OF the county. He says
there are a number Of people having
business in Washington who decline 10
take this oath. and that as result
many votes are lost. The other mem
bers Of the delegation are not yet pre-
pared to say whether or not they favor
this measure It Is thought that if no
objection is raised by other counties
this will be adopted Air. Luckey,
of Frederick. goes farther. He has in
troduced a bill repeating the so-called
Wilson law, which takes away the party
designation for the names on the ballot.
It is possible that this measure may
be adopted by the house. but il viii
experience rough shedding in the SEN
ate. The Governor is known TO be Op-
uosed to any change in this direction,
as he is on record as stating that he
favors some sort of educational QTaii-
fication.
Whether any change will be made In
the law relating to the marking Of the
ballot is pToblematicaL Some of the
e dor
ing the intent of the voter, while others
stiU say the ballot should be counted
if the point of intersection in the cross
mark is wholly within the square. but
the leaders prefer to let the law re
main as it is without change. The mat
ter will be threshed out in committee
some time next week.
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal.
An interesting measure and one in
which the United States Government Is
interested. is that which seeks TO amend
the charter of the Chesapeake and Del
aware canal so that the canal company
can charge % cents toll on every passen-
ger carried by the Ericsson line OF
steamboats,, which runs from Baltimore
to Philadelphia. and which viii also
permit the canal company TO 30 a trans
pGFTatlOn business. When TINS company
was incorporated it received aid from
the States of Pennsylvania and Mary
land. and also from the Government.
which contributed $4,000. For some
time its business was profitable and paid
a dividend. but of late the receipts have
decreased and no returns are received
by stockholders on their investment.
The Ericsson line. which enjoys the ex-
elusive privilege of carrying passengers.
is on the other hand. a paying con-
cern- It's stockholders receive 10 per
cent dividend annually.
1t is with the view of improving its
condition that the canal company asks
permission to charge toll, and it is being
supported by the Government. Assist
ant Secretary Taylor of the Treasury
came here last week and informed the
committee having the bill in charge that
the President heartily indOrsed the
amendment to the charter. The steam
boat company, a wealthy concern, rep
resented by prominent attorneys. is
fighting the concession, and formidable
Iobbies are engaged on either side.
None of the governors appointments
have, as yet, been confirmed, but il is
the general impression that the opposi-
ton is dying out and eventually all. with