Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1906-01-12

employing unnecessary labor OF any kind
the Governor takes up the question of lob.
bying. What the public 10 opposed TO-" he
says, land what has brought discredit upon
this State in the past, are political lobbyists,
who combine to sell and control legislation
for their personal benefit and who trade up
on their influence with Legislators" In
Governor Warfeld's view there should be
a rigid enforcement Of the rules OF the two
branches of the Legislature, which will
cause the lobbyist to disappear from the Cap
itol, which will compel those engaged In
this nefarious occupation to keep out Of the
legislative halls" The Governor asserts
frankly that "the runners Of the legislation
brokers have in the past been billeted upon
| the taxpayers In sinecure positions as en-
ployes OF the Legislature" They have had
opportunities In this employment to tamper
with bills on their passage and in the en-.
crossing rooms. The Governor strikes
straight from the shoulder at this abuse, and
his words should impress upon the Legis-
lature the necessity Tor correcting this scam
dalous evil. t
The Governors recommendation Ia re-
spect to the enrolment of bills is eminently
practical and should meet with the approx
al OF the Legislature. The present practice,
he points out, offers another opportunity
for extravaganza. "This custom of enroll.
ing or recopying Of bills" the Governor ex-
plains, "after their fnal passage, subjects
them to errors by incompetent clerks or TO
interpretations or fraudulent changes In their
text by designing persons" The Govern
or quotes provision of the Constitution
"No bill shall be read third time until 1t
shall have been actually engrossed for q
third reading"-and suggests that If this
provision IL obeyed there will be no neces-
sity for rewriting or enrolling bill before
presenting it TO the Governor. For, as he
explains, when bill is actually engrossed
bciore it Ii read q third time IL becomes
when passed, true and perfect bill and Ii
at once ready for the great seal of the State
and for presentation TO the Governor for his
signature"
In treating the subject Of elections the
Governor reviews his recommendation,
made two years ago, for stringent corrupt
practices act. Drastic legislation, he says,
to prohibit the contribution and use Of mon
ey for improper election purposes Is demand.
ed by public sentiment, in view of the en-
ormous corruption funds which have been
expended in recent years. The Governor
believes that national and State committees
should be compelled TO give complete pub.
licity to their financial transactions and
that corporations should be prohibited from
making contributions to political parties or
TO individuals u be used 10 influencing cleo
tions. He would have the corrupt practices
act apply TO primary elections as we'll as
general elections. sf
The Governor states that there is "uni.
versal" demand for amendments Of the cleo
ton law. With this demand he Is In SYM
patty, and he points out certain details In
which am ndments are desirable, In his opin-
ion. He would have the intent Of the voter
to prevail In determining whether Q vote
shall be counted unless there is indisputable
evidence that mark has been placed upon
the ballot for the Indecent purpose Of
identifying a bought ticket. Ia his opinion
mistake 10 marking too many candidates
under one group ought not 70 invalidate the
whole ballot, but apply only TO the candi.
dates In the group improperly marked. He
recommends q ballot of uniform size and
style of type and free from devices of any
character to aid the ignorant voter. The
Governor takes strong position against
return TO emblem voting. The restoration
of the emblem. he declares, would be "a step
back ward for Maryland and be accepted as
encouragement OF the ignorant, thoughtless
and partisan voter" The Governor 10 con-
WINGED that "the sentiment Of the times is
in favor of ballot that will require some
degree of intelligence on the part OF the voter,
not a ballot which will increase the power
and influence Of the ignorant and venal
voter"
Governor Warfeld recommends that "a
primary election law should be passed for
the whole State, and it should provide that
aspirants for State Office should have the
right TO submit their candidacy TO direct
vote of the people," He asserts that as pri'
mary elections are now held Ia the counties
ait is no crime TO buy or sell votes at such
elections. II is no crime for
voter 10 cast more than one ballot or for the
iudges 70 receive more than one ballot from
the same person." 10 the Governors opin'
ion, it is high time TO put an end TO this
scandalous condition.
The Governor urges upon the Legislature
the necessity for immediate legislation for
the development Of the oyster industry OF
MARYLAND He draws a contrast between
the fourishing condition Of that industry 20
wears ago, when this State led the world In
the oyster trade, and the present decadeDce
ot the industry. It is the duty OF the Legis-
Istnre he declares, TO discover the cause OF
the evil and to apply such remedies as may
no within its power and province. Mary
land has failed, he Gays, TO augment its sup
plv by enlightened culture laws and thus
laos behind other States which have follow
"a a more progressive policy. The Governor
, .,.,es his own position as follows: zine
have, portions Of the bottoms OF the waters
! ~ The State should be made productive.
i. The sts,e should profit thereby from the
a snnusl rentals from such bottoms leaving
$50 ,stur.l beds 10 the oystermen, rs ct
-a.ant !, Governor Warfeld commends