The citizen., 1914-03-06
ANNAPOLIS LETTER.
Annapolis, Md, March 2nd, 1914.

and hundreds OF measures before the
committees the Legislature OF 1914, is
now very heavily burdened with work.
This means that much will have to be
done in the five full weeks that now re-
m ain of the session. Ii 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
well up on their work. This is not only
due to the new rules of both the State
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-
ities are that both the Senate aud the
House of Delegates will hold two ses-
sions day and some times. the proba
| bilI,ies 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 bv 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
plav 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
decided advantage over the voters in
| Baltimore City and the larger counties,
| vet these men realize that this is unfair
| and, one which will not only work to
The disadvantage of the party which
| favors it. but also to the State as
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 a 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-
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 bill provid
ing for the direct and popular nomina-
| ton ol United States Senatorial candi-
dates. There is TO doubt that vast ma
jority af 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 fact
| that some prominent State and county
leaders are opposed to this plan and are
advocating the county AM legislative
district unit system. On las. Wednesday
| night gigantic, non-partisan 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 Inde-
| pendents alike. Party ties and affilia-
tions we're dropped and the men OF Balt-
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 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 a 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