The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1910-04-08
MARYLAND LEGISLATURE.
STATE HOUSE.
Annapolis. April 5, 1910.


tumultuous manner, with the files cleared,
with all the important bills passed, and
with a great amount of experimental leg
islation on the statute books. much of
which will doubtless have to be repealed
next session-for a large part of expert
mental legislation is usually found vicious
or ineffective when put into practical eff
feet, some of it. however, usually remains
effective, and thus gradually, is built up
a system of laws which guard the public
from the encroachment of hostile inter-
eSts, which are constantly warning against
the peoples rights. On the whole, how
/ ever, the legislation enacted in the last
three months, makes a decided advance,
and the Democrats in the State can con-
fidently appeal to the voters at the next
election on the ground that they have in
greater degree than usual, kept the
pledges made in the party platform and
on the hastings in the last two campaigns.
Now that the session is over IT is easy
to point out the men who have domi
mated affairs, and who stand before the
people of the State as those who may
hereafter be looked upon as the real lead
erS who have won their spurs on the po-
litical field of battle There are several
deserve honorable mention in such a list,
for, on the whole, despite the criticism OF
the hostile Baltimore press, the session
has been unusually clean and efficient
from start to finish.
And far over all the others in ability,
dignity, efficiency and honor as the one
man who has earned and who richly de-
serves the best OF everything at the hands
IL, Il l. liz
Lee of Montgomery county. Now, at
the close of his third session, in all of
which he has won the title OF high
minded public servant, the people of
Maryland are doubtless well aware of the
sort of 9 man this Senator from Mont
gomery is. and they are no doubt con-
graduating themselves that they have in
the forefront in party affairs one who is
ready and willing to devote himself to
the public good, regardless of conse-
quences and who is. i'll nine cases out
of ten, on the right side of every public
question, and whose motives are never
doubted, even by those who are ON the
opposite side. In future days, when the
people of Maryland honor this public
spirited man, they will do no more than
confer honor on themselves, and the
Democrats of the entire State are TO be
congratulated that in this crisis OF party
affairs. a leader has developed who equals
in ability, forcetulness, and high charac
ter, any one of his long line of predeCes-
sorS. OF all the men who have added TO
these honors by their course during this
session of the Legislature, MIR. Lee stands
easily at the head, and this fact is ac-
knowledged by everyone here without
exception Among his most enthusiastic
admirers are the Baltimore City leaders,
and no one at Annapolis is louder in his
praise than Mr.. Iohn J. Mahon, while Mr..
Lees colleagues in the Senate, with few
exceptions, are equally enthusiastic
The adjournment marked decided
state of harmony among the members of
both parties. Notwithstanding the tense
feeling raised at times by the passage
of the bills DISTINGUISHING the negroes of
the State The Republicans realized that
they were helpless. and could do nothing,
SO they Welded with as good grace as
possible and did not allow mere political
considerations 10 mar an otherwise pleas.
ant situation.
1t is too early vet to determine the feel
ing between the factions of the dominant
party. Time alone will settle the ques
ton as TO whether the party will be dis
turbed by mere taCtional considerations
or whether all will unite and present a
solid front III future campaigns. This will
largely depend on the action of the Gov
ernor in making the appointments to the
several important and very lucrative of
fees created by recent egislation-otfices
to which are attached larger salaries than
have ever before been paid to public Off
Gals III this State. and on which are i'm
posed many important duties If the
Governor exercises his usual wisdom in
making these appointments he can
strengthen his party. but if he uses his
authority to weaken or punish those who
have not agreed with his policies, the re-
suit may do more harm than good. The
effect OF official patronage is not often
really beneficial badly distributed it is
positively harmful. His Excellencv has
used his official power without stint to
secure the passage OF the great party
measures, and has succeeded in getting
really all he wanted through both houses.
As a result the responsibility is on him TO
see that men are placed in the important
positions created who will so serve the
public that no evil may fall on the people
OF the State through their efforts. The
salaries attached TO all these new offices
are SO large that the best sort of men will
be willing to accept them. and there
should be no difficulty whatever in get
ting gentlemen of the very highest char
acter and ability to do the work and carry
out the new laws with satisfaction to all
/ concerned. The General Assembly has
| done nearly everything the Executive has
! asked them to do, aad the responsibility
, now rests on him to do the rest.
The primary election law. passed on
Saturday, includes in its operation Fred
erick county, although Senator Matthias
made two motions 10 have it exempted.
He was informed BY Senator Price, the
j Democratic leader, that he did not be-
long to the family" so his wishes were
diSregarded Mr. Matthias informed the
Senate that he had been informed by
authority, that the Democrats of Freder.
lex were opposed to the primary law, but
/ that made no difference TO the majority.
which seemed determined during the
whole session to ignore the wishes Of any
one from Frederick county. whether
! Democrat or Republican and to ride
| rough shod over the Democrats of that
( county as well as the Republicans in
/ everything 1t was reported here today
| however that Governor Crothers might
be persuaded to give one of the many
| places he has at his disposal to some citi-
zen OF Frederick should there be any
! unity OF action IN favor of any man from