The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1914-03-13
ANNAPOLIS LETTER.
Annapolis, Md. March 9th, 1914.

ne present session oil the Legislature
has made iair progress of the work set
before it. but there is much to be done
during the remaining four weeks. The
leaders are determined that every pledge
OF the Democratic platform shall be kept,
and are insisting that the legislation con-
form to the spirit and the letter of these
platform pledges.
Never befors has a session OF the Leg
islature worked under such wide and
active publicity. This results from the
formation of early legislative committees
to map out the work OF the session,
these committees having been at work
long before the present Legislature con
vened. The daily papers have kept
alive the public interest in a mastery
way. There has been a constant march
OF delegations on Annapolis during the
session. A large percentage of the pop
ulation OF the Eastern Shore is spending
the winter in Annapolis.
The Chairmen of the various commit
tees have invariably accorded visiting
delegations public hearings and thus be-
come better acquainted with the senti-
ment OF the State on questions now un-
der consideration.
The session is making better than the
usual progress.
The oyster question has still main
tanned its position OF first importance.
Since the House of Delegates has shown
loss of faith in the operations Of the Ha-
man Law, the Senate has become the
real battle ground But the House has
not given up the fight, as last Wednes-
day Chairmon Frick, OF the Baltimore
City Delegation, offered bill authoriz-
ing the Governor to name a commission
OF hve to investigate the oyster question
in all of its phases. A provision Of this
bill calls for report on the monopolistic
condition OF the State oyster trade.
A cheerful sign to the friends of oyster
culture is the evidence that their foes are
divided on the method of procedure.
The Tldewater men insist upon an un-
conditional surrender of the oyster cultur-
lists, while the inland members are in
clined to hesitate. The inlanders seem
to be afraid to go back home without
a good excuse, or al least some kind of
an excuse. State Comptroller Harring-
ton is trying to live up to his title on the
oyster question and appears to dominate
the situation from the repealers' side.
The Anderson Bill which represents
the absolute repeal of all oyster legisla-
ton, has the violent support of State
Comptroller Harrington, who is trying
his hardest to control the situation along
with the other duties OF his office. The
friends of the oyster are showing up very
strong on parliamentary tactics. They
have confused the opposition by skilful
play between the Anderson and Shep-
herd Bills. and may save a substantial
part OF the present constructive policy
under commission of the oyster indus
try in Maryland Any day may bring
decisive results in the oyster fight.
An agreement between the county and
the Baltimore City Democratic leaders IN
the Legislature has been substantially
reached IN the State Road Bill and the
Light Street Bridge, which it is estimated
will cost about 500, 900. This ap-
portionment will leave $780, 900 for the
city streets which are extensions of the
State roads system towards the heart of
the city.
1t is expected that a caucus of Demo
Gratis on the road loan question will be
held soon and the agreement outlined
will be confirmed.
The pressure of the high cost of living
has disturbed his Excellency the pres
ent Governor. The detail work around
the State House has proven too onerous
for the present force, he says. Secretary
Graham was the Governors spokesman
before the Committee on Appropriations
Governor Godsborough advised that
the salary of his chief clerk remain at
$4,000, but asked that the compensation
OF his secretary be raised from 81, 200 to
$4,000
He urged the committee te grant him
an additional clerk. at salary of $I,5oo,
and a stenographer at 81, 200
Another important increase that the
Governor is urging is for the appro-
priation for the extradition Of criminals.
He said that the present appropriation
of 81 900 year is wholly insufficient and
he advised that the amount be doubled.
To illustrate the need of this increase he |
said that during the past year it had cost
$500 tor one prisoner alone to be brought
from the Argentina Republic to BaIti-
more.
Secretary Graham asked that $1,000
year be added to the contingent fund.
Mr.. Graham said that so many societies
come to Annapolis expecting to be en-
tertained at luncheon by the Governor,
and is necessary for the Chief Executive
of the State to pay this money out Of his
own pocket, when it is really public en-
tertaining and incumbent upon the State
to bear the expense. With the present
contingent fund he said that poor man
cannot occupy the Governors chair and
stand such personal financial drain.
The question of an automobile also
arose at the hearing. and Mr.. Graham
p 5inted out that the Pennsylvania appro.
priation is SIS. 900 year for this purpose,
while New York's expense is much
more.
State Treasurer Murray Vandiver's
only request was for the salary of his
chief clerk to be raised from $1,000 to
$4,000 year.
State Comptroller Harrington asked
for an Increase in the salaries of his four
clerks.
Mannnria1 RI GanakOn