Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1906-03-27
LEGISLATURE GETS TO WORK
SHORT BUT VERY FULL SESS
IONS THIS MORNING
Senate Cuts Wrangles Short And
Disposes Of Business House
Puts Out Many Bills.
BOTH SES ADJOURNED
EARLY LAST NIGHT.

awoke to the fact that the present ses-
/ sion Of the General Assembly is all
but over. with an enormous amount
| of unfinished " Ork on the files and in
| the committee rooms. Ii transacted
more business between - and l
/ O'Clock when it went into executive
| session, than it has in any previous
three hours since January 2.
A bill TO incorporate a new gas com.
pany in Baltimore city, to sell gas at
/ so cents. was called up from the laid
| over file by Mr. Linthicum. The bill
had all unfavorsble report from the
| Committee on Corporations when it
was returned to the Senate some days
| ago, and after'a free debate, which
lasted some time and during which
the whole gas question was pretty
| thoroughly discussed, the report was
adopted. Mr.. Linthicum, in speak
| ing to his motion to substitute, de-
clared that he could see no possible
| objection to the bill, which merely
provides cheaper gas. when everyone
knows that gas can he manufactured
at a profit at 80 cents He explained
that there wouldsbe franchise tax in
the measure if passed for Baltimore
amounting to $50, 600 annually. He
dlSO AGdu liidb pOIb4Du VI Ilb Jill WllCn
he declares absolutely insures against
the possibility of the much talked of
merger of the gas and electric light
monopolies of Baltimore.
Mr.. Moore replied that he had no
desire to discuss the merits or de-
merits of the Igas question; that this
had been done in the past to the dis
credit of those who took part, leaving
dark stain upon their sleeves, from
which some of them have hardly re-
covered yet, but he went on to declare
that the Linthicum bill made possible
the much to- be- feared merger, and
that of all the bills which have been
introduced to this effect in the past,
and some of them ena9ted, always the
same result has occurred, the Oonsoli-
dated has bought the new conner cut.
Mr.. Linthicum denied that there
was any possibility at all under his
bill of a merger, but pointed out that
Mr.. Moore had introduced a bill, but
has actually succeeded in having pass
ed by both houses, bill which aotu.
ally provides for this very thing.
Mr.. Brewintgon took the ho9r in
his customary breezy style and show
ed conclusively from his point of
view that Mr.. Moore's bill has been
pure Legislation, while Mr.. Linthi-
cum, for introducing his bill. is be-
yond peradveuture a sinner. The vote
then closed the incident.
The b. q o. enabling bills have
passed both houses and now go to the
Governor The Chesapeake and Della.
ware canal bill was called up by Mr..
Clagett, who renewed his motion Of
Friday night that the further consid-
Grafton of the matter be indefinitely
postponed. on top of which Mr.. Per.
kins moved that this motion be tabled.
The roll.call killed the bill for this
session-15 to ~.
The Baltimore water loan bill was
called up, put went over until tomor-
row. Mr.. BTewington, before this mo-
tion was carried, explained to the
Senate, however, that ne washed his
hands of the whole matter. He had
tried hard to bring about conciila-
tion. he said, hut that all concerned
were the hardest headed lot of people
he had ever seen in his life.
Mr.. Perkins felt confident that he
never in all his life had come IN CON
tact with so absolute hold-up as this
is. "Our bill, - lie said, "as it now
stands, simply asks this Legislature
to allow Baltimore to bond itself for
So, coo, 600 in order to increase its
water supply, simply that aud Moth
ing more. "
Mr.. Clagett expressed it as his opin-
ion that this is a good deal, when it
means that the city shall go into Bal
timore county and condemn every
thing in sight as it sees fit.
Mr.. Lee moved the reconsideration
of the vote by which Mr.. Einthicum S
bill relating to city stock Of Baltimore
being used for a set-off against county
and State taxes, was passed to its
third reading. This motion was lost.
Mr.. Lee explained that Mr.. Linthi-
GUMS bill provides that future issues
of Baltimore stock shall not be used in
this way by corporations and banking
institutions, while he (Mr. Lee) has q
similaribill but more drastic, which
repeals that section of the existing
laws which allows stock already issued
to be used in that way. He desired
to consider both bills together.
Mr.. Linthicum explained that stock
which had already been issued under
this law had sold at a premium of
from 13 to rs because this proviso
teuded to make the stock of great
value to banking institutions through
out the State. Mr.. Lee denied that
the Clty OF DdlllmOIe nau prOnte0
one. eighth of the premium and point
ed out that banks all over the State
would take advantage Of this thing
and even usually escape all taxes ex-
cept that on realty. He declared that
in Montgomery county the situation
had already become acute and that
the people of that section simply
would not stand for it any longer.
The motion did not prevail because it
was held that half a loaf was better
than no loaf, and the session being so
near an end it would be better to pass
the first bill and try to get the second
through later, than endanger both BY
this delay.
At O'Clock the corrupt practice act
was called up, but enough amend
| ments showing up 70 occupy time
from now until night. it was suggest.
ed that the Senate recess until 8
O'Clock in order to fortify itself with
a luncheon. Mr.. German thought the
luncheon might be the more enjoyable
| for having this matter off the con-
| sciences of the Senators. but a motion
to go into executive session terminated
| further thought or expression OF
| thought, so the Senate closed its doors.
4 - = Il