Middletown transcript., 1916-01-08
|B|G PROBLEMS IN
THE LEGISLATURE
Liquor, Annexation, Oysters,
Economies and Primaries.
PASSING OF OLD METHODS
Next Governor To Face Many Intricate
ouestions-His Powers To Be
Increased BY the Budget
System.

The General Assembly of 1916, or
ganizing in Annapolis this week will
remain in session 80 days, and will
have more and bigger problems than
have been before any legislature dur
ing recent years. Among the prob
lens are the following:
Statewide vote on the question Of
continued sale or no sale of liquor.
Annexation Of the contiguous and
populous suburbs of Baltimore.
The Sheppard oyster planting law
under which the state faces the pros
pect of paying about 100000 for
oyster grounds leased by the State,
condemned under the law and thrown
open to the public.
Amending the primary election laws
by which expenses of candidates will
be reduced and the envelope system
In the counties abolished.
Hunt for new sources of public reve-
nue. with which to meet the constantly
growing expenses of the State.
Creation of a conservation commits
sion in which will be combined the
Shellfish Commission, Fish Comm!s-
sion and oyster navy, several bureaus
and sub-departments.
Creation of a State Board Of Agri-
culture.
Reform of public school system
along lines laid down by the forthcOm-
ing survey conducted by the General
Education Board.
Additional provision for care of de-
pendent insane, including new build
ings and equipment
Purchase of farm for inebriates.
Action of some kind to prohibit a
recurrence of such libel upon Balti i
more as that by the report of the So
called Vice Commission.
Creation of a budget system, by
which it is proposed to lodge in the
governor the power to frame all gen.
eral bills carrying appropriations,
which cannot be increased by the leg
islature except in cases of dire emer-
gencies. By this innovation the
powers Of the governor will be greatly
enlarged.
Reduction in legislative and govern
mental expenses and introduction of
economies all along the line.
Creation of loan of about $4,000
900 with which to meet the deficit in
the State treasury.
Creation of an additional loan of
probably $1,OOO,OO0 with which to COM
plete the system of improved highways
as projected and to build necessary
bridges.
Better system in making appropria-
ions for institutions supported wholly
or in part by the State, including col
eges, academies and other schools,
hospitals, dependent in
Iane.
The legislative session will mark
he passing and the coming of new
ystems. The mass Of local legisla-
ion will be materially reduced through
he operation Of the new amendment
o the Constitution providing for a
'reater degree of home rule and
through the budget system, under
Thich the governor will frame bill
arrying all appropriations, the total
t the several items to be kept within
he income Of the State. No governor
I recent times will face as many prob
ems as will fall to Mr.. Harrington be-
ause of the deficit in the State treas
ry, and because of the increasing de-
lands upon the State treasury, with
most every source of public funds
incidentally, the process will con-
nue. which has been sedulously and
cultivated for several
ears by which the people are sur
to commissions and boards
leir legislative powers exercised for
em by their representatives in the
eneral Assembly, representatives
'er whom they can have the author
OF the recall once every two years
the case of delegates and once every
ur years in the case of senators.
nile the boards and commissions go
forever with no power by the peo-
10 reach them except by tearing
'Wn a whole State administration
le same surrender is going on in
ner states as well as in the Federal
'Vernment. Taxpayers are at last
ginning to realize that reforms
e costly.