The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-04-06
CLOSE OF THE LEGISLATURE.
Passage of the Oyster Bill-Defeat
of the Murphy Bill by Republi-
cans-Great Credit to the
Democrats.

Correspondence of the Democratic Advocated
STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS, |
April 8, 1906.
The General Assembly has at last adjourned sine
die and its record is before the people for their ap
prevail or condemnation.
Yesterdays session was tumutuous and exciting
in the extreme, and the oyster bill was forced
through by rigid application of Reeds rules de-
spite the vigorous protests of the repr esentatves of
the oyster counties, who. under the leadership Of
Dr. Hayden, chairman of the Chesapeake Bay Com
mittee, made fight lasting nearly four hours to
proven final vote the bill. After all sorts of
dilatory tactics had been used by the opponents,
the Speaker declined to hear recogniz anyone
and ordered vote on the bill which was passed
by vote of 6S to 81 Whist will be its effect the
oyster industry is a problem, but the indications
that the measure will cost the State at least
500 900 before it be repealed two years hence
for that it will be repealed is the opinion of every
one who has any practical knowledge of the sub
ject. DR.. Hayden and his friends made game hgh'
against the bill and that they failed was due to no
fault of theirs but rather to the fact that strong
lobby had been for several days working night and
day against them. All the capitalists and profess
siona influence of the State was cast for the meas
ure and it was passed. as all bills are under such
circumstances Republican and Democratic poll
ticians of high and low degree were here in force
for it. and they influenced many wayering votes in
its favor.
The Murphy election bill was defeated in the last
hour of the session by the Republicans, on whom
will rest the blame for the fact that no changes
were made in the election laws. The old laws will
remain in force for two years more and If the party
OF the negro has trouble through its operation no
one can find fault with the Democrats, for the bill
would have been passed had the representatives of
the black vote sided in its favor.
The bill to authorize vote on the proposition TO
call constitutional convention passed both Houses
and the matter will be settled at the polls in 1907,
when the State ticket is chosen. II majority of
the people desire convention the next General
Assembly will pass the necessary legislation to
elect the delegates.
Taking it as a whole the work done by the Leg
slature which has just adjourned will probably re
cound to the benefit OF the state The most import.
ant matter determined was the settlement with the
Baltimore and ohio Railroad Company and the sale
of the States stock in that corporation. This
enabled q reduction of state taxes from . TO 10
cents on the slCO. and the Democratic party is en-
titled to the credit As it is the only direct
levied in Maryland is the necessary for the
support Of the public schools The other expenses
OF the government paid by the money derived
entirely from licenses aud other indirect taxes.
The political effect Of the session just closed
should be favorable to the Democratic party. The
majority party in control Of the Senate at all
times aud with the exception OF tEo or three bills
was in control of the House. The House majority,
however was 80 small that st times Il vas impos-
sble muster the requisite 81 yo.=s ith which to
pass bills As general thing however the De no
crats faithful 10 their trust and remained on
duty every session up to closing hour when two
meIabers Absented themselves, thus enabling the
Republicans TO bring about the defeat Of the cleo
ton bill With this exception the Democrats never
failed and deserve The thanks OF their party through
out the State for their devotion 20 duty during the
past three months.
The close OF the session, thanks to the incidents
Of the hnAl hour, fulhlls the promise made By The
Democrats the time Of the defeat OF The The
stitutionsl Rmendment-thAt there would be no
changes in the election Law made this seSston
There have been changes; the Crescent Club bill
failed and every other bill introduced Allied. The
Murphy bill nos introduced b. strict party
man The situation toward the end seemed 10
Justify the Democrats ir considering the advisable
ily Of breaking the election law promise, bot ~st
the promise was kept for them
As whole the seSSioG Vas crediiAbe. and. wiki
few exceptions, the members OF both Houses were
faithful to their constituents And the trust rcTosa
in them Il should be = source of especial EraiiauA
ton 10 the Democrats that nearly all the oidtioe
bellrinEers and Doodle bills were introduced by
Republican members from Baltimore city. which
were defeated BY Democratic vigilance aud care.