Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-16
THE MARYLAND SOLONS
GREAT INTEREST IN MEETING OF
ASSEMBLY TONIGHT.
Special Correspondence OF The Star
STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS, Md,

STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS, Md,
January 10, 1906
The general assembly win meet tonight
and much more than the usual interest at
taches to the house committees to be given
out, because of the fact that while 1t is
understood that Speaker Benson has had
them ready for more than week. he has
kept so close-mouthed about the entire list
that no one has more than a guessing ac-
auaintance with the membership of single
one of them While this is true rumor is
to the effect that two of the choicest OF all
the chairmanshps are to go to Prince
George county men, corporations to DR.. Hill
and ways and means to Mr.. ]. Enos Ray.
Whether there is any more foundation for
this story than the fact that men promi-
nently mentioned for the speakership are
usually well taken care of, your correspond
emit is unable to state, although this infor-
nation was persistently circulated both
here and in Baltimore today. Dr. Richard
8. Hill, it will be remembered, was at one
time, apparently. the strongest candidate
for the place now occupied by Mr.. Benson.
NO one knew just how much strength he
had, while 1t was generally supposed that
Senator German would help him. The sit
uatlon was given an entirely different as
pect at that juncture by Gov. Warfleld's
announcement that he favored DR.. HILL
Senator Germans Position.
The question as to where Senator Cor
man stood was not long In doubt; he was
emphatically opposed to DIR. Hill from the
, moment or the governors announcement
ana SO many other interests were found to
| nave similar attitude that the doctor was
Withdrawn. Ray was substituted and was
the strongest candidate of the anti-oreani-
za FORCES, polling nine votes in the
democratic caucus.
Delegate Goodwin of RaItfp,ora oo,,,+,, 4.
also mentioned for chairman of the COM
mittee on corporations while Mr. Martin
Lenmeyer Is put down for the committee
on the judiciary, with Mr. J. L. v. Murphy
also mentioned for the same place Mr.
Murphy is another ex-candidate for the
speakership.
The fact that Mr.. Murphy and Mr.. I,eb-
me were each offered the speakership
ny the republicans IL they would break
away from the democratic organisation and
Vote with the independents and republicans
put that both refused, will doubtless act
IN their favor with the speaker.
Not little adverse criticism ia baard
mere OF the course of both houses. par
ticuiarly the senate, which has control of
Inc matter for this last adjournment, from
Weunesoay until tonight. There was no
excuse LOT this delay In proceeding to bust
ness. The senate committees were an
nouncedand the house committees were nm
derstood to be ready, yet in Difference to
49, NY pdu put senseless custom, both
Criticism Over Expenses.
1T Is estimated that each legislative day
costs the state $1,000 whether there are
sessions or not. and the senators in mar
tlcular who are out for reform, are re-.
sarded as having missed good opportunity
"hen they voted for adjournment without
a word Of protest
There has been great deal of criticism
Nv
and the senators whose leader he Is now
recognized to be- but here is an outso of
10000, with no return to the state what.
ever, allowed to pass without evan
dissenting vote eh
comment on the republican ballots cast
TOT Mr.. Vandiver last Wednesday. In his
e.eceion Tor the fourth time to the post of
state treasurer, are still heard aithoueb
excitement over the matter has subsidized
chairman of the republican state central
committee John B. Hanna. has expressed
himself In emphatic language on the suh
ject and Is greatly worked up over n and
us erect on the republican party. Other
republicans, on the contrary do not view
me detection In a serious light They hold
that mad the republican candidate been in
any position to win he would have nolIed
the full party strength
The Vandiver Vote.
With the contest settled by the demo-
Vandiver's vote known beforehand. there
was no chance, and the four or five repub-
licans who voted for him did so out of
courtesy and friendship, and as q slap at
the democrats and mugwumps who op-
posed him. Neither the republicans nor
democrats questioned the fitness of Mr..
Vandiver for the place. That was unant-
mously conceded, even by those who on
posed him.
There Is some speculation as to whether
or not the speaker of the house will follow
the example of the president of the senate
and name republican chairman for one
OF the committees and give to the minority
two or more clerical appointments
The action of President Seth has been
variously construed, the press opinion being
that 1t was a shrewd political move It
is doubtful If this is the explanation the
senate presiding officer broke a precedent
and made precedent, so far as Maryland
is concerned, when he extended to the re-
publicans these courtesies, but he only
followed an example which had been set
him in many other states and which is
well In keeping with his own character
1t Is doubtful if Speaker Benson follows