The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1914-02-13
ANNAPOLIS LETTER.


both the Safe Senate and the House Of
Delegates. but also 70 the determination
Of the Senators and Delegates to con
sider all bills as fast IS possible Dur.
ing the past week scores Of bills were
introduced in the Senate and in the
House 81 Delegates and they have been
referred 10 the proper committees. The
bills which were introduced curing the
first few weeks of the Legislature have
~ great extent. already been consid-
cred by the committees. and many Of
them are now on their course Of passage
through the Legislature. In former
years Il IS fact that there was a general
tendency among the members Of the
committees 70 hold back bills. This
year the situation is reversed. Every
Senator and Delegate is working dill
gently 10 get legislation out Of the way
As fast As possible. 50 that the legislative
wheels will not be choked during the
| last thirty days Of the session. II is also
a fact that the bills are being introduced
much faster than usual. and with every
Senator and Delegate keyed up 70 quick
action. II IS predicted that this LegIsla
lure vii make splendid record for itself
4 for the fast consideration Of bills.
Democrats Interested ~ the redemp-
ton Of the pledges and promises that
were made by the Democratic party in
rs last State platform are urging that all
bills carrying out these policies be acted
upon as soon as possible. In order that
this may be done, it is being suggested
that the Democrats Of the Senate and
| House, together with the party leade.s Of
the city and counties. hold conference
in Annapolis this week and decide on
the nature Of these bills. Most Of these
bills carrying out the promises made in
/ the State platform have already been
prepared by the committee Of seven. Of
which former State Senator Arthur +.
German. Jr.. Of Howard county, IS chair.
man, and some Of them have been intro
duced in the Legislature Ifthere is any
differences Of opinion among the Demo.
cratic members concerning the provis-
ions Of these bills, il is being urged
that the Democrats should get together
on them and adopt bills which will meet
with the solid and enthusiastic support Of
all Democratic Senators and Delegates.
After such conference it is pointed out
that the party bills could then be passed
by the Legislature and sent TO Gov
| ernOr Goldsborough. II is strictly up to
iliF lINllID'ldAh W ItItEIIl every DlsuRt
that they made in the last State cam
palgd and this can readily be done if the
Democrats can merely agree upon the
party bills. Although Governor Colds.
borOugh's attitude on many OF the Dem.
Ocratic promises is unknown, it is feared
by hundreds that he is opposed to many
OF them. For that reason, it is asserted
that the party bills should be sent to the
Governor not later than the sixtieth day
Of the session. Should he veto any Of
them then the Democrats have in each
branch OF the Legislature the necessary
Constitutional majority to pass them over
his veto.
BY passing all party measures early in
the session the Democrats will force the
Governor into the open. Under the
State Constltutian the Governor must
pass upon every bill received by him
while the Legislature is IN session within
six days after it is filed in his office II
the Governor refuses to sign bill after
its sixth day. and the Legislature is still
IN session. then The Constitution provides
that ii must become law II the Gov
ernor veloes it, then he must return the
bill TO the branch OF the Legislature
from which il originated, together with
his veto. and then the Legislature has
the power TO pass it over his veto, and
the Democrats have enough votes in both
the Senate und House Of Delegates 10
pass vetoed bill During the last five
days OF the legislative session the Gov
ernor IS not required TO return to the Leg
salure the bills that he desires to
veto And neither is he required to pass
| upon them. All that is necessary for
him to do in order to kill them is TO lay
them aside and they die Only bills that
| meet with his approval are considered OF.
| ficlally by hun, and these OF course, are
signed Because of this condition Dem
ocrats who are vitality Interested IN the
| future success Of the party rightly con-
| tend that every possible effort should be
employed TO put through the Legislature
now all bills concerning party pledges
| and the general policies OF the Demo-
| cretic party. There is not much doubt
but that this will be done.
Seldom in the history Of the State has
| such Roadway been made on the framing
OF the big apr opriatlon bills as has been
| done at this session. Both the Finance
| Committee Of the State Senate, OF which
Senator Peter !. Campbell, of Baltimore
| City. is the chairman, and the Ways and
! Means Committee of the House OF Dele
gates. Of which Mr.. Lloyd Wilkinson. Of
Baltimore City, is chairman, have made
considerable Roadway in compiling the
various appropriations. Each committee
has held scores of hearings and these
will be continued during the next several
weeks AS was expected the demands
for State appropriations are much larger
than usual this year, and this means that
both committees will have to use the
pruning knife very effectively II they de-
sire to keep down the State tax rate, and
this they are apparently determined to
do In the past all Of the big appropria-
ton bills have generally been reported to
the Legislature during the closing weeks
of the session, and then put through
without the Senators and Delegates
knowing much about their provisions.
The situation will be reversed this year,
and from present indications every Sen.
| atOr and Dalauate will haua an Dla t;,,,A