The Democratic advocate., 1906-03-24
THE LEGISLATURE.
Stirring Events in the State Capitol
Briefly Told.
Correspondence of the Democratic Advocated
STATE HOUSE. ANNAPOLIS, /

Correspondence of the Democratic Advocated
STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS,
March %, 1906.
The B. & o. investigation has practically
ended, and before this letter is published the
State will probably have parted with her in.
terest in the Washington branch of that great
corporation for the sum of 81, 500, 900, which
is Just double the sum offered for the same
stock last fall before the meeting of the Gen
eral Assembly. A great many people here,
however, are convinced that If the lnvestlga-
ton had been continued beyond the session,
double this sum would have been realized for
the stock, which is worth more to the railway
company than to any other interest. But the
whole affair has taught the people a lesson,
and that is that if their public servants will
only assert themselves the corporations will
hasten to come TO time. 1t is declared that
the deal for the stock is without conditions,
and that the bills here to compel that company
to pay its Just proportion of taxes will be
pressed to passage without further delay.
This has been by far the most exciting week
of the session. The House has been meeting
three times day, and the members have been
rushed from morning to night. The lobbies
have been filled with corporation attorneys
and others representing all sorts of interests,
franticaly importuning the Senators and Del.
egates to do or not to do certain things All
has been a scene of confusion, but the work
has gone on as rapidly as was consistent with
a fairly proper consideration of important al
fairs which may result in great good or great
harm TO the whole people of the State.
The prospect for the passage of the general
incorporation law is not bright. In fact while
the bill, which is book in itself, was intro
duced early in the session, it has not yet been
reported from the committee where it has
rested for nearly two months and where 1t has
not met with more than passing consideration.
The bill was prepared by commission con
sisting of Stevenson A Williams, George X.
Willis and Joseph l. France, appointed by
the last administration during 1900, and con
lans many radical features which have aroused
decided opposition from all sections of the
State, especially in the counties. The county
people, who nave examined the bill, believe
that it will mitigate against the small banks
and in favor of the large financial institutions
Of BaltiE- Sre, and, therefore, large number
of the county delegates have openly expressed
their hostility to the measure. Should 1t be
reported it is now too late to give it careful
confederation. and all the indications are that
it viii be left on the files of unfinished busi
ness when the session finally adjourns on
Ap.=l 2ad.
The general expectation iha. the sale Of the
B. & U. stock and the proposed sale Of the
State mortgage on the Northern Central Rail
road for s, ,000, 900 will result in the abolition
of the whole State tax will probably tAll.
While the amount realized from these two
transactions will be IS, 500, 900 it will not do
away with the entire State debt, but viii so
reduce il that with careful management the
tax can probably be abolished or greatly re-
duced by the next General Assembly, or by
special session which could meet = year hence
aud take action on the matter. But this ses
sion is too near close for that to be done be-
fsre adjournment, but il things can be so
shaped during the present year the Governor
may DC induced to call an extra session next
January, when the whole direct State tax can
be wiped out, or at any rate greatly reduced.
Whether Governor Warield can be induced
to take such action is uncertain, bat Treasurer
Vandiver openly favors it and says that i ls
the only way the matter can be satisfactorily
arranged.
The files Of both Houses have contained
more bills this session than ever beiorr, but
she work has been so expedited during The
past two weeks that all which ought 10 pass
cen easily be disposed Of before the final Ad
journment one week from next Monday night
1t has been a working session Throughout, and
member Of both parties have wed with eAca
other to prevent delay.
Il seems to be definitely understood thai no
election bills Of any sort will be passed. One
after another has been killed as they come
from committees, and those which remaiu
will doubtless meet with the same fate. The
Democrats appear to be satisfied WITH The
election laws as they are, while the Repgbh
Gang have not made any very strenuous efforts
to bring about any change.
The Crescent Clab primary election bill
was defeated in the House on Tuesday. Mem
bers Of that organization who are here say
that they will take up the work again and
make their fight before the 1ext session SheR
they hope for success. PAUL WINCHESTER