The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1914-03-06
ANNAPOLIS LETTER.
ANNAPOLIS. Md. March end, 1914

m ain of the session. 1t Is a fact, how
ever, that the present session is some
what ahead OF former sessions regarding
the amount of work that has been done
One of the chief advantages OF this SEES
sons is that the various committees are
we'll up on their work. This is not only
due to the new rules of both the Stale
Senate and the House Of Delegates, but
also to the fact that the members OF the
Legislature settled down to work imme-
diatelv after the committees were nam
ed. Beginning next week the probabil-
tiles are that both the Senate aud the
House of Delegates will hold two ses
sionS day and some times. the proba
billties are that three sessions will be
held. Already a number of bills have
been passed and the calendars are such
that scores of others. which have been
approved by the different committees,
can be put through in a short time. AS
soon as Governor GoldSborough makes
all of his appointments then it is thought
that the Legislature will settle down to
the consideration of the various bills
and that quick action will be taken on
those which meet with the approval of
the general public. OF course, some hot
fights will develop but from present in
dications these will not be as numerous
or as lengthy as has been the case in the
past.
There is no doubt that the voters of
Baltimore to a man are in favor OF the
adoption of the mass system OF voting
for the nomination of United States Sen
atorial candidates. 1t is true that certain
interests IN Baltimore are opposing this
system, but an investigation will show
that these interests are generally opposed
to every measure that is drafted for the
betterment of Baltimore City nd its peo-
pie. These interests are also trying to
PLAY faCtional and petty politics The
spirit OF BaltlmoreanS on this subject is
extending to the counties and it is daily
reported in the city that hundreds of
voters in the smaller counties are now
declaring that in the name of justice and
| fairness that the mass system of voting
should be adopted. While the county
voters realize that under the county and
| legislative district unit system they have
a decided advantage over the voters in
Baltimore City and the larger counties,
| yet these men realize that this is unfair
and, one which will not only work to
The disadvantage of the party which
| iavorS it, but also to the State as a
whole. In the larger counties the de-
| mand for the mass system is as strong
| as that in Baltimore City and
| should the Senators and Delegatee from
| the larger counties join hands with the
representatives from Baltimore City, the
indications are that real popular
| United States Senatorial Primary Law,
| would be passed without much difficulty.
| 1t is fact that during the past few
days number of Republicans. including
the members of the Legislature, have
ntimated that they prefer the mass sys-
TEN, and these men NAV Join with the
city and some county Democrats in put
ting the mass system through the Legis-
Iature.
The most serious fight that has so far
developed among the Democrats at this
session is over the redemption of party
promise for the passage of bill provid,
ing for the direct and popular nominal
ton oil United States Senatorial candi-
dates. There is 70 doubt that vast ma
Jority at the Democrats Of the State are
in favor Of the adoption of the mass sys-
tenn OF voting tor making United States
Senatorial nominations. but it is a fact
that some prominent State and county
leaders are opposed to this plan and are
advocating the county an legislative
district unit system. On las, Wednesday
night a gigantic, non-partsan meeting in
the interest Of the mass system of nomi-
mating United States Senatorial candi-
dates was held in Baltimore City. This
meeting was addressed by Democrats,
Progressives. Republicans and indie
pendents alike. Party ties and affila-
tiOnc mara dronnad and he man ~ Dolt
more made an eloquent plea to the Leg
islature to pass United States Senator
ial Law, under the provisions of which a
mans vote in Baltimore would be equal
to that of a mans vote in any county Of
the State. Every Speaker pointed out
that not only the Democratic party, but
also the Republican and Progressive
parties in their State platforms declared
in favor OF real, genuine popular United
States Senatorial Primary Law. There
is no doubt that this meeting has stirred
the voters of the State and should have
much influence on the members of the
Legislature.
When the Legislature meets again on
Monday night special efforts will be
made by the Democrats to put through
all party bills By this is meant all
measures which carry out the promises
made by the Democratic party in its last
State platform together with the bills
carrying out the policies of the Demo-
cratic party as inangurated by past Dem
| ocratic administrations. The delay over
the passage Of some Of the party plat
| form bills has caused much uneasiness
| among the Democrats of the State. 1t
was announced that the platform bills
would be passed early in the session so
that if Governor Goldsborough should
veto any of them, then the Democratic
majority in the Legislature would have
ample time to pass such bills over the
Governors veto. As far as can be ascer-
tanned the Democrats of the Senate and
the House of Delegates are as a unit re-
garding the redemption of many of the
pledges made by their party in the last
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