The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1909-07-10

last week, Senator France, OF this
county, reviews some very significant
incidents IN the record vi the last
Legislature, III the matter oi that
Legislature relation To the Consoli-
dated Gas Company. The thorough
ness with winch Senator France mas
gone into the subject and the cogcncy
oi the data which he produces, simply
emphasizes the tact that the Senator
has been the REPRESENTATIVE
OF The PEOPLE at annapolis and
not the representative ui any special
interests or political ring or cor
rupt lobby We think the people OF
TINS county ought to have the benefit
OF some ui the Senator's remarks,
anent this subject even At the risk OF
making lengthy article. lie says,
among other things:
II. however, as has often happened
the Legislature OF the State is con-
trolled by a powerful political ring,
and ii that ring is itself controlled by
the public service corporation which
needs regulation, then equation OF it
by the State legislative body becomes
maniicstly impossible, and a public SER
vice commission becomes an absolute
necessity Tor the protection OF CON
sumers, business interests generally
and investors against imposition, OPP
preston and fraud. ! am forced, per-
sonally, as result OF careful obscr-
vations to believe that this is the very
condition which exists in Maryland, but
] prefer to merely place the public in
possession oi certain facts and to allow
those who will to form their own CON
illusions.
a PROPHECY FULFILLED.
When MIR. Gather was candidate
for the Govcrnorship OF the State it
was predicted that the Consolidated
Gas Company OF Baltimore would be
opposed to his election because OF his
pronounced views in favor OF a public
utilities commission, and ii was con-
hdenty predicted also that il the De-
mocratc ring succeeded in carrying
the election and in gaining once more
control OF the Legislature, no public
utilities bill would be enacted into law
and no legislation III any way hostile
to the interests oi the Consolidated
Gas Company would be passed.
This latter prediction at least was
fulfilled tu the letter rs can be shown
from the record of the Legislature Of
zoos, and some al the incidents III that
record are So significant. in view oi the
present discussion that some consider
alton 81 them may be profitable at the
present time
RING PROTECTS 1.NWBRENK-
Frs
] he ring Senators openly arsl brazrn-
l. cuuntcnanccd and encouraged the
violation oi = law. enacted IN 1900. TO
prevent corrupt practices At Annap-
oils The Consolidated Gas Company
has been violating this law, and the
ring protected 1t by every means III its
power The law IN question. most
excellent one. was designed Ia prevent
the improper use oi money in influence
ing Legislation and it's object and me
thodS are similar to those OF the cor
Tupt practice act ior general elections.
about which the ring has been vlrtu-
ousN Roasting at late. perhaps IN the
vain hop" 81 covering up past dclin-
qucncies.
The law pr">idc, that an "lcgisla-
tive agents or lobbyists" must he
registered. and that al persons or cor
roratiou> employing such legislative
agent, mist within go days alter the
close ui The session. file q complete
and detailed statement, sworn to be
fore proper officer. 1T all expenses
paid IN connection with promoting or
opposing any legislation The ring