The Washington times., 1906-03-04
c. & D. CANAL SALE
NOW UNDER FIRE
Investigation Proposed by
Warfield's Antagonists.
YOUNG G0RMAN LEADS FIGHT
His Sweeping Bill in Maryland Legis-
lature Safeguarded by Proposed
Corruption Practices Act.
YOUNG G0RMAN LEADS FIGHT

BALTIMORE. March S-In preparing
to investigate the 5, g of the States in
Uerest in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
the house of delege -es touched a tender
spot in the governors anatomy
The appointment of d committee to
look into the affairs of the Washington
branch of the Baltimore and
Ohio. with the view OF fore
ing an accounting, was a reflection
on the business acumen OF the
executive who had urged sale of the
stock at a price regarded as ludicrOusly
low, in view of the value placed upon
the property since the matter has been
aired. but this later proposition is an
indirect attack upon the integrity of
the governor.
The resolutions reported by the COM
mittee on ways and means, to which
they We're reported. are less drastic than
those originally introduced. They We're
first presented by Mr. Goodwin, a Re
publican from Baltimore city, and set
forth in the preamble that there was
need Of an inquiry because of reports
of COllusiOn between the buyers and the
fact that some of the property had since
been sold at prices which in the aggre-
gate exceeded nearly four times the
amount which the States interest had
brought.
This preamble. together with the order
of inquiry, the committee struck out
and substituted in lieu thereof legal rea-
sons for institutiug an investigation. Its
scope as set forth is twofold; first, to in
quire whether the State received a suf-
ffCient price for the interests in the
canal; second. whether the board Of
T14hlfe VErorlFe rHa
law to make the sale. In case the COM
mittee comes to the conclusion that the
board of public works has no such au-
thOrity. then the cOm.Hittee may employ
lawyers or recommend their employ
ment to institute proceedings TO annuI
the sale
Strikes at Washington Branch.
This last point was raised by several
prominent lawyers who hold that the
act of 1896 which purports to prescribe
regulations for the sale of the Wash
ington branch stock is void because of
a defective title. The act was to amend
the act of 1892 which regulated the sale
of the canal interests. 1t is now sug-
eested that the act of 1892 is also void
because of q defective title. If this is
true then the question Will be whether
the constitution. as amended by the
vote of the people in 1891, is seIf-exeCut-
ing-that is TO say. whether that amend
ment gives authority to sell without
any legislative action It gives author
ity TO sell the States interest in all
works Of internal Improvement Subject
TO such regulations and conditions as
the general assembly may from time to
time prescribe"
If it is found that legislative action
10 NJ. D..
and that the acts of 1892 and 1896 are
invalid. then Senator German will intro,
duce a bill which he IS preparing. de-
signed TO confer the necessary author
ity upon the board Of public works to
make the sale.
ITO rescind the sale of the canal in
terests might have ii strange effect. It
Is possible the Western MARYLAND Rail-
road Company may have accomplished
all IT desired by the purchase of the ca
nal interests. and this company might
well be satisfied TO have its bonds and
money restored. The State bonds with
which payment was made are now in
the sinking fund
Hits Fertile Soil.
Those engineering the resolution for
an investigation of the sale of the ca
nal stock, believe they have struck a
fertile subject. The Republicans who
favor the move think they can get
enough political capital out of II all to
help them in the next campaign. whfIa
the German Democrats have an idea
they can place the governor. at whom
the Investigation is aimed. in an IN
favorable light. There is no doubt War
field feels keenly the slight put upon
him by his party which questions his
Integrity.
Even if the canal resolutions fail to
pass the senate. the fact that they We're
considered viii serve the purpose of the
Republicans for the question raised in
EoiVes not only the executive but the
BOARD Of public works. which is com
posed entirely of Democrats.
Senator Germans Supplement
Senator German supplemented his
sVio'iol Tor an investigation with an
olher which IS more sweeping than
any other' This directs the counsel
employed TO force an accounting in tho
case of the Washington branch of tho
baltimore and Ohio TO collect for tt,o
State such taxes due on the gross re
ceiptS OF the railroad company, and also
10 report 10 the General Assembly as
TO the right of the State to tax the TIM
nels- The idea IS to frame & LilI to this
erect as soon as a report shall have
been received.
Realizing that this action will array
against the Democratic party the rail
road corporations in the State, and to
guard against any of them furnishing
financial assistance. Mr.. German fol-
lowed these resolutions with a corr1IDt
practices act. the provisions Of which
are so stringent that no corporation
Will venture to contribute to any cam
paign fund in the future There will
not be any opposition to this measure
as the Republicans are pledged to it's
adoption.
For years Secretary Bonaparte has
been endeavOring to have q corrupt
practices act adopted, but the Demo-
Gratis always voted it down. They had
received aid from various sources, and
did not care TO have it known whence
the money came. Now they Out-Herod
Herod by proposing an even more radi-
cal measure than the Reform League
had suggested. OF course Mr. Bona
parte Is satisfied. He has always said