The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-01-04
DEMOCRATIC MACHINE
VICTORY IS COMPLETE
GOTman-Rasin Slate Elected In The
Legislature at Annapolis.
INFLUENCE OF GOV. WAKEFIELD
Had But Little Effect Among the
nembers.-Benson Is TIade Speak
er and Seth President of the
Senate.

er and Seth President of the
Senate.
After balloting from eight o'clock UNI
til long past midnight the Democratic
members of the Maryland Senate select
ed Gen. Seth, of Talbot county, for
president of the senate, and he was elect
ed yesterday.
Prior to the biennial session of the
Maryland General Assembly which be-
gan yesterday the Republicans, as well
as the Democratic members of both
houses, held caucuses to nominate off
GERS and settle the other details of or
ganization. There has been lively
contest for the speakership in the house
of delegates and also for the president
of the senate among the Democrats, the
former resulted in the nomination of
Carville D. Benson, of Baltimore, for
speaker.
Democrats, however, were able to
muster only fifty votes, one short of
enough to elect their man. Whether
they will pull through depends upon the
three Independents of Queen Anne's
county. If they put up man of their
own, as they threaten, the Republicans,
who adjourned without action, can block
the regular Democrats.
The senate caucus was deadlocked
over the nomination for president. Gen.
Joseph B Seth anaJohn P. Moore, both
from the Eastern Shore, polling seven
votes each. The outcome involved a
test of strength between Governor
Wartield and Senator German.
The legislature, which will be in ses-
sion ninety days will have to consider
oyster planting bills and other impor-
tant legislation. Governor Warfield in
his message will urge a simplifcation of
the elections and the enactment of law
against the bribing of voters.
Annapolis, Md, Jan. 3.-The general
assembly convened at noon today and
the GormanRasin slate for officers was
put through without trouble, Carville d.
Benson, Democrat, of Baltimore county,
was chosen speaker of the house. by
vote of 81 to At for David E. Fenton,
Republican, of Montgomery county, and
three for White, independent Democrat,
of Queen Anne county.
Gen. Joseph B. Seth, of Talbot county
was elected president of the senate by
a vote of II to 8 for ex-Congressman
W. B. Baker of Hartford county.
The usual subordinate officers were
elected, and although the regular Demo-
Gratis have a bare majority of one in the
house they were able to control every
thing to suit themselves notwithstand-
ing the open antagonism of Gov. War
field, who seems to be without much in
fluence among the members.
Senator Blair Lee of Montgomery
county made determined fight at the
opening of the state senate against an
increase in the number of subordinate
officers and met with success. Under
his motion the officers for the present
will be limited to eighteen. MIR. Lee
made a strong speech in favor of econ
Omy.
Governor Warfeld sent his message
to the general assembly at 2 p. m. The
vigorous language used by Gov. Edwin
Warfield in his biennial message created
a marked sensation among the lawma-
kers. The Governor severely criticised
the ''scandalous and reckless squander-
ing of the peoples money" through the
employment by the legislature of unnec-
essary clerks and laborers, and granting
of extra pay to employees and gratuities
to other persons. At the last session
the total pay of 318 officers and en-
ployes was sis, 460.5O.
He denounced lobbying and urged it's
immediate suppression. He strongly
recommended the adoption of a corrupt
practice act. ''The cure for vote-buy-
ing" he declared, lis complete public
ity for the financial transactions of the
national and state committees of politi-
cal parties. This is a question which
should not be viewed from party stand
point"
Herecommends amending the election
law so as to permit the intention of the
voters to count, but opposes return to
emblem or totem" voting. Advocates
primary election law under Crawford
county system of the whole state and
denounces convention system as weapon
of political bosses, and strongly opposes
any increase in the present state tax
rate. The message also calls attention
to the failing Chesapeake bay oyster in
dustry and urges a planting law.
"The barren portions Of the bottoms