Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-03-05
Oppose Large Increase.

At a meeting of the State Commission
on City Representation, held in Baltimore
last Monday, the county members recon-
mended that the representation of the city
in the General Assembly be increased by
four Senators and four members of the
House of Delegates, making total of 8
out of 81 Senators and % out of ia Dele
gates. The city members of the commits
sion contended for much larger increase,
and protested vigorously, but to no avail.
The county members stood firm, and had
vote been taken it would have resulted
in tie, there being one county member
absent. Had that member been present,
there is no doubt that the city people
would have been outvoted. AS it was, the
ultimate decision went over until April
22nd, when it is expected the full COM
mission will meet and decide upon its re-
port to the Governor.
During the discussion, each county man
took his stand definitely and decidedly
against representation according to popu-
lation for the city, Messrs. E. c. Peter, of
Montgomery Redmond C. Stewart, of Bal
timore, and Michael E. Walsh, of Carroll
county. expressed themselves emphatically
and decisively upon this point. The three
city Senators with equal emphasis declared
that the only just way of treating the city
is to give it representation according to
population.
Mr.. Stewart announced himself as will
ing to favor giving the city four additional
Senators. one from each Legislative dis
trict. and four additional members of the
House. Further than this he did not be-
lieve it would be wise to 60.
Mr.. Peter cOncurred with Mr.. Stewards
views and thought the city should not have
more than one-fourth of the House or Sen
ate When Senator COady and Senator
Campbell explained to him that this pro-
posed increase could not take effect for five
years and that at that time the city's pop
ulation would be greatly in excess of 60O.-
600, Mr.. Peter said: II would not vote to
give the city more than one-fourth if it had
a million population"
Mr.. Walsh said you will find no coun-
ty ready to give up either its Senator or
any members of the House. The senti-
ment in my county is not favorable to an
increase and those who feel that the city
ought to have more representation believe
this addition should be a small one. The
counties will never agree to reduce their
own representation or give to the city rep
resentation according to population"
Further on in the discussion Mr.. Peter
said:
What you people in Baltimore need is the
power to govern yourselves altogether in
local matters. | am in favor of giving to
the city entire power and authority to leg
isate for itself upon all local matters. Take
this matter of local legislation out of the
hands of the General Assembly altogether
and place it in the hands of the city That
will cure most of the things you are COM
planning Of
1.-THE policy now is to shear our City
Council of all its powers and authority, ex
cept that of drawing its salary, said Sena-
tor Campbell.
That seems to me. said Mr.. Peter, like
confession of your inability to govern
yourselves and if Baltimore is not able to
govern itself, it certainly would not be able
to govern the State of Maryland.
Mr.. Stewart asked Senator COady, one of
the city members of the commission, what
he thought would be fair increase.
What Think said Senator Coady, lis
that this city should have not less than IL
Senators and that in the House it should
have representation in proportion to its
population. think that in this way only
can justice be done the city. Our senti-
ment here for this is practically overwhelm-
ing. People of all classes are demanding
that the city be given representation in
proportion to population, at least in the
House. and do not see how the counties
can pretend to be fair to us and not agree
to this"
The position taken by the county mem
bers of the commission is strongly approx
ed by the people of the counties, because
it is believed that to give to Baltimore the
large representation for which it is con-
tending would result in placineiN the hands
of the city people absolute control of the
affairs of the State.