Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-15
Special Correspondence Of The Star.


was one that required the submission of
constitutional amendment to the voters,
and Its opponents was surprised by the
strength that was developed in it's favor.
1t was substituted for the unfavorable
report by vote of 45 to 43, but after that
the leaders in the house made earnes st
appeals for its defeat on the ground that
1t would hurt the democratic party, and
1t went by the board by a vote OF. 81 to 81
on a motion to strike out the enacting
clause. Delegates Ray and Cummings
of Montgomery county were conspicuous
among the forces that brought about the
defeat. While many legislators spend
more in expenses at Annapolis than they
receive for their services. 1t is regarded
as remarkable that even thirty-two had
the courage to take stand for greater
compe nsation.
The defeat of the Anti-Saloon League
bill. foreshadowed in this correspondence.
took place in the house Wednesday, when
the unfavOrable report was adopted by
a vote of 50 to 43. The result has not
been accepted by w. H. Anderson, SUI
as disposing of the question at this ses-
sion. He proposes to make a fight in
the senate, which IS said to have ma
jority who will vote in favor of the bill
If 1t comes to vote, and then to en-
deavor to have the house reconsider its
action.
Another bill which is so nearly dea
that premature funeral orations have
been pronounced by its friends is the
general Incorporation bill. 1t remains in
1t is finally reported the probabilities are
that 1t will be amended to such an ex-
tent that it's friends will not recog-
nize It,
Important Measures Passed.
Almost the only important measures
that passed both houses this week were
the resolutions of Senator German calling
upon the attorney general to attempt to
collect a larger tax on gross receipts
from the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
| and the resolution of Senator Shannon
seeking to have the state made a party
in proceedings before the interstate COM
merce commission concerning alleged dis
elimination in freight rates on coal
against Maryland shippers. Considerable
progress. however, was made on other
important measures. An agreement was
made on the good roads bill calling for
state expenditure of 5000 900, by which
features OF both the Benson and Biddison
bills will be incorporated in compromise
measure. The paid commission idea is
to be retained In SO far as members of
the commission TO be appointed by the
governor are concerned. but members of
the state geological survey are to form
part of the commission.
Inc corrupt practices act was passed
by the senate and favorably reported
In the house, and primary election
bill. drafted by Senator German has
made its appearance.
An Interesting Debate.
An interesting debate this week was
that upon the unfavorable report of the
judicial proceedings committee to Senator
Lees bill sanctioning several deeds to the
Seventh Day Adventists at Takoma Park.
In Maryland every deed or bequest to
religious organization must receive the
sanction of the legislature before it be-
comes valid.
The judicial proceedings committee
MADE the adverse report on the ground
that ii was unwise TO transfer property
to a sect which did not recognize the
succeeded in having the bill substitut ed
for the unfavorable report declaring i'm
his argument In its behalf that the mayor
or Takoma Park had assured him that
the seventh Day Adventists in that vicin-
its were lawabiding citizens and also
that refusal to sanction a deed to a
religious organization was not a proper
method Of punishment for violation of
law, If there was violation.
Care of the Insane.
State care of insane is a subject that
has aroused renewed interest since the
introduction of bill to repeal the law
providing that all insane should be cared
for by the state, beginning this year Op-
position to the repeal bill has resulted in
the submission of an amendment thereto
BY the finance committed of the senate
o1 "h,ch' senator Germany, author of the
respeal pill, is chairman.
The amendment provides for the APP
pClntment of a commission by the gov
ernor to make report on the subject
TO the next legislature and for the sus-
pension OF the law requiring the state to
care for all insane until that time The
amendment has not yet been acted upon.
Little progress was made this week in
oyster legislation. but that little ind-
Gates the probability of a modification of
plans of both the friends Of the leasing
system and those who believe that the
waters of Maryland should be free to all
oystermen.
The leading advocates, who, after a
struggle of many years. succeeded at the
last session in having all portions of the
Chesapeake bay and its tributaries ex-
cept natural beds. set apart for rental by
the state. are seeking to enlarge the acre
age which may be rented by any one per-
son. They ask that fifty instead of ten
acres be rented to individual in the
tributaries and that 800 instead of 100
acres constitute an oyster farm in the
bay. There seems to be an unwiilingness
to grant any increase in the number of
acres that may be leased in tributaries
and to reduce the maximum acres that
may be leased in the bay from 800 to 800.
On the other hand. the oystermen who
seek an appropriation from the state of
ZOO for scattering oyster shells on de-
pleted natural bars will probably have to
be contented with an appropriation of
$5,O 600 a year.
A resolution introduced by Delegate
Waters Of Montgomery county calling
upon Maryland representatives in Con-
gress to use their endeavors to have re-
stored upon the coins of the United
States the words 'In God we Trust was
passed unanimously by the house this
week.
Mr. Ray of Montgomery county sue
ceeded in having the house pass a bill
| which will give Justice Harry M. Cla-
baugh a vote in his native state. 1t pro-
vides that United States judges shall be
entitled to register without having to
meet any of the onerous restrictions I'm
posed upon Marylanders who do not re-
main in the state 1895 days in the year.
Speaker Rays bill providing for school
| house at Brentwood. Prince George
county. has been passed by both houses.
| as has also Mr. Preston Rays bill pro-
, viding for the building Of roads in Mont
l gomery county.