The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-02-10
OUR WEEKLY LETTER
! FROM THE STATE CAPITOL
Legislative Matters of Interest To
Garrett fountains.

STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS, FEB. g
By vote of Sc to "a on roll call, Mon
day night, Delegate STARTERS bill,
which was aimed at the Miller Distillery
at Accident, Garrett county, was sub
stituted for the unfavorable report of
the House Temperance Committee, and
was passed on to the Undertaking file.
1t would seem now that nothing can
prevent the passage of the bill through
both House and Senate, and the sub
sequent dlscontinuance of the Miller
Distillerv in Garrett county. The fight
for and against this bill was the most
interesting and holly contested that has
taken place this far over any legislative
measure. and called out the best ora
torical and wire manipulating talent on
the floor.
TEMPERANCE CoMMITTEETURNEDD DOWN.
Under ordinary conditions the House
stands by its committees and allows
their reports to be adopted, Incidents to
the contrary being the exception. Yet
the House reversed the Temperance
Committee on this occasion, notwith-
standing the unfavorable report of the
committee was supported by eight of
the nine members of the committee,
only one-Delegate Baederston, of
Cecil county, voting against the I'M
favorable report in the committee.
Then, too, the fight against the bill and
for the report of the committee was led,
p n ed and outlined by that postmaster
in legislative technique, ex-senator
Caryille d. Benson, of Baltimore county,
than whom there is no more skillful
manipulation or shrewd parliamentariaa.
Mr.. Benson, who was defeated for re-
election to the State Senate last No
vember by a reversal of the large
Democratic majority IN Baltimore
county, and whom Senator Allen, a
dry" Republican, now succeeds, had
charge of Mr.. Miller's fight, and at
times it looked as if he would win; but
the delegates from Baltimore CITY. for
the most part, were looking ahead, and
in the hope that the same principal will
be applied to them when the Statewide
Prohibition Bill comes up. they declar-
ed that the policy of Home Rule"
should be adhered to and they voted
with the Garrett Delegation to substi-
tute the bill for the unfavorable re-
port of the Temperance Committee on
that basis. Montgomery county and a
few others did the same thing, all evil
IDENTIFY with the same motive-that will
be allowed to exempt themselves from
the operation of the Statewide Bill
when it comes before them. The Gar
rett Delegation, however, made no
promises and entered no deals, winning
out on their merits entirely.
LAW TO TAKE EFFECT ONE YEAR LATER.
Immediately the bill had been sub
stituted for the unfavorabe report of
the committee, an amendment was of
fered making it go into effect June l,
1917, instead of June ], 1916, thus Civ
ing the Distillery people more than a
year in which to close down the distil-
lery, remove it to some other point, if
they want to, and adjust themselves to
ha
was adopted without dissent and the
bill was ordered to be printed for the
third reading file. There is little if any
doubt that the bill will pass the House,
and the application of the same principle
of Home Rule" in the Senate will pass
the bill ultimately. Monday nights
vote is not regarded as a test of strength
on the Dry" Bill. many wet" men,
bers voting with the Garrett Delegation
on the ground that each section should
be Its own judge in such matters.
OTHER GARRETT COUNTY BILLS.
Senator Speicher's bill repeating the
Dog Tax Law for Garrett county pass
ed the Senate last week END, and was
referred to the Garrett Delegation Mon
day night. 1t was reported out prompt
ly and passed the House yesterday.
Senator Speicher has introduced in
the Senate bill amending the charter
of the town of Deer Park, empowering
and authorizing the Mayor and Common
Council of that place ito purchase, re-
ceive by gift, donation or otherwise,
hold and ENJOY, sue for and defend, a
suitable piece of land within the limits
of said town of Deer Park, not exceed
ing INDIGNANTLY of two acres, for the
purpose of a public park for the use
of the inhabitants of said town, and on
which to erect any necessary municipal
building"
Delegate Shartzer has introduced a
bill providing that hotel and restaurant
proprietors and keepers of boarding
houses, who serve other than genuine
butter with meals post placards in the
dining room stating that "Oleomargaine
is served here" or naming what ever
other kind of imitation butter is beng
used. The bill is Statewide.