The Washington herald., 1908-02-16

up TO this date has consumed most time
in the State senate-more time than the
constitutional amendment from introduc-
tion TO passage-is a simple little measure
which appropriates $3.50 to print local
bills.
It brought TO his feet senator after SEN
ator, motion followed motion. and speech
followed speech. IN some ways it was
an enlightening procedure, but in another
sense it was most puzzling.
On the one hand. there was Senator
Lee, of Montgomery. Democrat, backed
by all the Republicans, and as events
proved by half of the Democratic MEM
bers, striving TO establish the principle
of publicity for all bills On the other
side there were Senators German and Bid
Olson, and Beaseman and Campbell of
Baltimore City fighting tooth and nail 10
prevent the passage of q bin with that
intent
Publicity Not the Issue.
Now. one might jump at the conclusion,
knowing the many serious objections to
permitting local bills to pass without the
publicity which printing throws upon
them-the snakes that creep through,
the bad laws that are enacted under
cover of local legislation-that the sena-
tors named were seeking TO continue that
pernicious practice; that Mr. German. and
Mr.. Campbell, and the senators who stood
with them, didn't want local bills printed,
But judging from the way they spoke,
they were not actuated by any such mo-
tive
Indeed, judging from the known char
acter Of the senator's. few persons would
believe any Of them would stand up and
in the open senate defend the custom,
Nor did they.
But it was 2 singular thing that they
should have been willing to throw any
sort of stumbling block in the way of
a reform SO impeTatively called for as the
abolishing Of a system by which laws are
enacted without anybody except those
directly interested. knowing what they
contain, and worse. without any method
ey which the public can find out
Publicity Wins the Day.
The opposition to the expenditure Of
S1,50O-and columns of speeches were
made about twas based upon this fact:
A great many local bills come from the
house TO the senate during the last two
weeks of the session. many OF them dur
ing the last few days. II was gravely
argued, therefore. that. since il was not
possible TO have publicity for all local
bills. there should not be publicity for
amy, It took an entire day and night ses-
sion to settle that question.
Fortunately, Senator Lee was in earnest
about the matter He really desires pub
tfgIfV and ha-AraN as It4 x1-.le Ttv-G tor
LinthicUm Senators Harper and Coady
and Moore, and by President Seth and all
the Republicans, he won out If the
house takes the same stand there is no
reason why there should not be a new
leaf turned over at this session Of the
legislature in a most important particu-
lar.
In any event the senate has started
the ball rolling and il wiiI not stop. The
only reasonable explanation Of the oppO-
sitiOn to the bill Is that most of its oppo-
nents were on the finance committee.
which resolved against it and wished TO
save their faces. demonstrating again
that ''men are but boys grown tall
Suffrage Amendment.
There was nothing spectacular about
the passage of the suffrage amendment.
but the bill itself was important enough
TO impress the members of the house Of
delegates To an appreciable extent with
the solemnity of the event
There was an air about the chamber
which would have made even a novice
understand that something out of the
usual was going on. And indeed, setting
an motion the machinery which is eX-
pected TO disfranchise so large a proper
ton of the total vote OF Maryland as the
iurIr7dar Is
Nobody can f0retell what viii follow in
its train.
The Republicans, headed by the Attor-
ney General of the United States. are su-
premely confident that the court Of last
resort Will decide that the test is uncon-
stitutionaL The Attorney General is a
good lawyer He is in position TO obtain
better knowledge than most people as to
how the judges of the Supreme Court
view such question, His opinion is not
tO~be lightly dismissed.
Back Of the Maryland assault on negro
suffrage looms the whole structure so
carefully reared farther South. where the
negro issue enters into social political
and economic life in way that has no
parallel. of course in Maryland. and
where the upsetting of the scheme by
which the white man controls viii plunge
these States into a conflict of which no
man can foresee the outcome.
Probably something of this far-reaching
effect OF their action was in the minds
of the members of the house of delegates
as they voted. But there was not the
slightest sign of wavering or of fear
Round after round of applause went up
whenever occasion offered.
II was clear that, whatever a majority
Of the voters Of the State think. the
Dnruocr3fs "a fba house fho7v bod -r-
power. would let no negro vote. property
or no property, ignorant or educated.
Rules Suspended.
Yesterday the bill was put through the
senate under suspension of the rules.
Speeches were made in opposition by
three Republican senators.
The speeches were in good taste devoid
of bitterness, but serious-minded and
earnest Senator Harper pointed to the
good things which Maryland had gained
through the instrumentality of the negro
vote and predicted the defeat of the
amendment at the polls
The Democrats, watching the clock to
catch the l2l5 train, wasted no time in
oratory, but voted solidiy 10 suspend the
rules. and then for the passage of the
bill II viii be signed by the governor
though his signature is not necessary
and Will then be submitted in the election
of 1893.
Baltimore Delegation Row.
The quarrel in the Baltimore delegation
over the attack on City Solicitor Bruce
IS unfortunate. as It gives the counties an
eXcHse for disregarding the citys wishes.
and they can point to the division 6f
sentiment arn0nr cf+S Taar,,Fare a.. -. :