Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1916-01-05
STATE LEGISLATURE
ASSEMBLED At NOON
Bi-Ennial Session Of Maryland's S
Law Makers.
HOUSE INTO DEADLOCK.
Over Selection CT Presiding Officer---
Party Washes Its SOiled Linen in
pnhIc

Public.
Maryland's Legislature assembled at
noon. and as had been foreeasted for
the past few days. the House OF Dele
gates went into a deadlock over the
selection OF its presiding officer, while
the Senate organized promptly by the
selection of Senator Campbell OF Bal
timore as President. and the naming
of full list OF desk officers.
In the House the deadlock. which
came on the first vote, is predicted
as due to last certainly for several
days and may probably drag out 10
such length as to delay the Inaugural
tion of Governor elect Harrington
After the House had selected Dele
gate Bryant, of Baltimore county as
its Speaker pro tenn. over Delegate
Metzerott. Of Prince George county,
who was placed in nomination by the
Republicans, three names were pre-
sented. Philip D. Laird, of Montgom-
cry county, was named by the Smith
Kelly, ,Wells-Talbott faction of the Dem
ocrats, who have SO votes in the House.
Millard e. Tydnigs, of Caroline
county, was named by Lloyd Wilkin-
son, of Baltimore city, as the choice of
the Preston-Lee forces of the same
party, and Metzerott was named by
the Republicans.
Nearly two hours was consumed in
speeches of nomination. during which
most of the dirty linen of the party
was brought out and aired. Wilk-
inson, of Baltimore city. charged
State domination in the direction OF
Mr.. Laird, and was backed up in this
very forcefully by Robert F. Lee. of
Baltimore city.
On the other hand the charge that
Mayor Preston, of Baltimore city, with
Senator Lee, was trying to force the
rejection OF MIR. Laird, was made by
Delegate Hall. OF the city delegation,
and by Mr.. Mcintosh, Of Baltimore
county
The Republicans took no part in the
fight, but sat back with apparent sat
isfaction and watched the Democrats
fight it out
After tellers had been appointed and
the members called to the desk in
blocks of ten at a time to cast their
ballots, the vote was counted and an
nounced as follows:
Metzerott, Republican, IS votes.
Laird, Democrat. 33 votes.
Tydings, Democrat, % votes.
None having received majority of
the total vote of the House, the chair
declared there haG been no election
Mr.. Wilkinson, of Baltimore city, then
moved that the House adjourn until
noon tomorrow. This motion was
carried
In the meantime the Senate had pro
ceeded in cut and dried manner TO
practically complete its organization.
Senator ogden. of Baltimore city,
was chosen as temporary President
over Senator Zihlman, of Allegany
county. the Republican nominee. The
vote on this was Campbell, 10; Zihl-
man, 10.
The Senate then proceeded to name
its chief desk officers. but did not
name any assistants or pages or other
officials. The desk officers selected
we're:
P. Watson Webb, of Dorchester
county, secretary, as the successor of
John r. Sullivan, of Annapolis.
Mr.. Joseph NJ. George, of Queen
| Anne's county, journal clerk
C. Andrew Schaab, of Howard coun
| ty, reading clerk.
William G. Robinson, of Baltimore
county, sergeant at arms.
The Senate also passed an order re-
| questing Marshal Carter, Of the Balti-
more Police Force, to detail so police
| men to come to Annapolis on next
Wednesday to preserve order during
the inauguration Of Governor Har-
rington.
While the leaders seem absolutely
up in the air" over the House or
/. ganization deadlock, there is danger
that the Inauguration Of Governor
Harrington may be delayed.
This is due to the fact that the Gov
ernor cannot be inaugurated until the
vote in the election last fall has been
canvassed and the result declared by
the House of Delegates
| How long the deadlock will last and
| how it will be broken are questions
| occupying the public mind tc the ex-
clusicn of all else about the State
| House. There is a very general i'm
| preston that the Baltimore city peo-
pie backing Tydings, or rather fight
ing Laird, mean business and intend
to stand out to the end.
The Smith Kelly Wells people seem
equally determined to stick by Laird
but the impression prevails that after
several days of testing each others
| strength and determination, compro-
mise win have to be affected The
man most prominently spoken of as
the compromise candidate tocay is
4 u.