The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-02-24
THE LEGISLATURE.
Stirring Events in the State Capitol
Briefly Told.

STATE House, ANNAPOLIS,
February 22d, 1906. !
Governor Warfeld has made all his APP
pointments, and from this time on until the
end of the session he will be able TO devote
his time to the consideration of matters of
legislation, unhampered by the opportunities
of Office seekers and their friends, who have
made his life burden since the opening days
in January. OF course there are many dis
appointments, and several of the Senators are
threatening war on the Governor, but the list
of names has been, as a whole, well received,
and the indications are that all, with possibly
few exceptions, will be confirmed promptly.
Both Houses are transacting large amount
of routine business, very little of which is of
general interest. The important measures are
nearly all yet in committee rooms, but 1t Is
expected that many Of them will be brought
out at once and the interesting general legis
lation gotten under way aud pushed 10 a con-
clusion.
The joint committee for the investigation OF
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is making
ready for business and is expected 10 meet
almost daily in the old Senate chamber. The
composition of the committee insures to the
people thoroughly Just inquiry into the mat
tiers in controversy, and speedy settlement
of the affair is among the probabilities of the
near future.
County people from every section of the
State from Garrett on the West to Worcester
or the Southeast, have been here this week IN
greater numbers than at any time this season.
Nearly all we're politicians and all talked
politics, especially next years politics, on
which the usual diversity OF opinion prevailed.
The most interesting feature of the talk was
that ex Governor Elihu Z. Jackson's friends
all seem to think that he will be candidate
for the gubernatorial nomination next year,
while the friends Of Ex-Governor Brown and
Governor Warfsld seem confident that their
favorites will also he in the running when the
time comes, ready TO make sn energetic con
test for the honor. State Senator France, Of
Cecil county, seems to be the favorite among
the Republicans for their party nomination.
Wha, will be done IN regard TO u general
primary election law is problem. Some OF
the county people want new primary Law
while others are either hostile or indifferent.
The CITY delegation seems TO be divided on
the subject and party lines are no, drawn on
the matter up to the present time. The
Democrats generally appear to favor the Ores
cent Club plan. which will be taken Up IN q
few days Il is understood that before the
close Of the session the Crescent Club viii in.
yite the Democratic members Of the General
Assembly to a meeting at its club house 10
Baltimore, where they will be given an enter.
tainment, and incidentally have talk on the
subject offurSher regulating primary elections.
Another subject under discussion is The res
oluiiou, introduced in the Senate some time
ago, providing for an investigation into the
sale Of the States interest in the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal. At the time of its intToduc.
ton this was declared to be nothing more nor
less than blow at the Governor or tie Board
Of Public Works, BY has enemies in the Senate.
II is now said that this vas never even par
tial motive IN the matter, but that the inves','
Q
cover Il possible, Why such an extremely low
bid as the one accepted. was absolutely the
very highest one received. The Law which
authorized the sale at all is said by some Of
the very best lawyers in the State 10 be void,
and Il such should be the decision Of the courts
the sale # this valuable property to the West
ern Maryland railroad will fail. and the whole
business reopened for transaction over again.
The sale WAS not popular. and the pres paid
was 50 SMALL that i Was simply ridiculous, and
il is understood that a much larger amount
eau he secured if the property IS placed upon
the market once more. In this connection, II
is freely alleged here, aud by people who
ought TO know what they are talking about
that collision between the Baltimore and Ohio,
the Pennsylvania aud the Western Maryland
is responsible for the low price which vas re
ceived at the sale, and there Is abundant talk
about going into this phase Of the transaction
in a searching manner. Certainly there seems
abundant evidence that all vas not right IN
this quarter, aud sufficient, evidence to var
rant our Law makers in going into ii, Al least
far enough 70 satisfy themselves thai these
rumors are no, actual facts. The States in
terest in the canal cost as a whole over $50. CO.,
600. aud it seems remarkably queer TO say
the least that 40 more than $50. 900, shoald
have been received for all which thai outlay
produced. and after al these years Of oontro.
versy. Ii is said that oiheE interests are pre-
pared to pay much more for the property
should an opportunity be given them to do SO.
PAyL WINCHESTER