The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1914-03-06
ANNAPOLIS LETTER.
An,onot;s Ma Marcb ord 1oI,

done IN the I've full weeks that now re-
m ain of the session. 1t is 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
sions 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-
datelv after the committees were nam
ed. Beginning next week the probabll-
tiles are that both the Senate aud the
House of DELEGATES will hold two SEES
sions a day and some times the proba
bilIties 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
llSutS VIII QGNSlOp Oul NON piGSCul III
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
| hut 10 mill chN-,,
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 Baltimoreans 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
1
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 a 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
minated that they prefer the mass sys-
tenn and these men NAV Join with the
city and some county Democrats in put
ting the mass system through the Legis-
| lature.
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 a bill provid-
ing for the direct and popular nomina-
ton Of United States Senatorial candi-
dates. There is no doubt that vast ma
! jority at the Democrats of the State are
in favor Of the adoption of the mass sys-
| tenn OF voting for making United States
Senatorial nominations, but it is a fact
| that some prominent State and county
| lSoONio niS OpDOoCd ~ Ills pan duQ die
| advocating the county an legislative
| district unit system. On las, Wednesday
| night a gigantic, non-partiSan meeting in
| the interest OF the mass system of nom-
| mating United States Senatorial Candi-
! dates was held in Baltimore City. This
meeting was addressed by Democrats,
Progressives, Republicans and hide
pendents alike. Party ties and affilia-
1 finnc HrnnnaI and the 81 DBL
more made an eloquent plea to the Leg
isature 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
llOdoNlSo WAhNu Ndll( Out Tue plOullScS
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
State campaign and no time should be