Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1917-10-20
CITY NOT IN COUNTY
BALTiMoRE's STATUS DIFFERENT
FROM OTHER TOWNS.
Made An Independent Division OF
Maryland BY Constitution OF 1851.
Referendum Adopted In 1854 For
Express Protection OF Suburbs.

tPrepared by the Baltimore County Non.
Partisan Citizens Protective Committeel
Prior TO 1851 the city OF Baltimore
was merely an incorporated town with
IN Baltimore county The extensionf
Of the city by acts OF the Legislature
In 17tS. l747. 1878 and 1915 simply
enlarged the city within the county,
lie Inhabitants remaining residents Of
Baltimore county. The Constitution
OF 1851. BY the votes OF the people OF
me entire State. separated Baltimore
ely from Baltimore county and made
u an independent unit OF the State
on the same footing with the counties,
Failure TO understand the status OF
Baltimore city before the Constitution
OF 1851 and after II became independ
emf Is not uncommon and prevents
some persons from seeing clearly why
annexation cannot still be made by
simple act OF the Legislature. Just as
vas done In the years above mention
ed Men so prominent and supposedly
learned as the members OF the Greater
Baltimore Extension Leagues" com
mitee say they cannot see why the
limits OF Baltimore city cannot be ex
tended. just as had been done With
Frederick City, Annapolis. Hagers
town Bladensburg. Easton and EIlicoti
City. They overlook the fact that in
60
INTO the towns mentioned remained
residents OF their respective counties
Republicans Adopted Referendum.
Thirteen years after the Constitu
ton OF 1851 was adopted the Constltu.
honal Convention OF 1864 was called
The Republican party had secured full
tontrol OF Maryland In the struggle
30 maintain the Union the Republicans
had been compelled to deny the
validity OF the doctrine OF States
rights. yet the claim OF the counties TO
their territorial integrity and in
dependence. subject only to the State
government. appealed TO the delegates
90 strongly that they incorporated into
the Constitution OF 1864 the provision
Nor shall the lines OF any county
be changed without the consent OF q
majority OF the legal voters residing
within the limits OF the hnes proposed
TO be changed"
Made To Fir Present Case.
And the debate in connection with
this clause shows that II was express
ly intended TO provide for such case
A. that now before the people The
clause was offered by Mr. James /.
Ridgely. a delegate from Baltimore
county. who said
81 know that Baltimore city must
increase and expand, until in the pro
cess OF time II shall absorb large
portion OF the area OF Baltimore coun.
~, and | say godspeed 10 t. do not
propose TO throw any obstacle what
ever in its way But | simply ask that
when the! apply TO the Legislature for
an extension OF its boundaries there
shall be a limitation upon the power
OF the Legislature 10 grant. which shall
require the assent OF the people resid.
Ing in the portion OF the county asked
70 be included within the limits OF
Baltimore city"
In 1867 the Democrats had regsined
control OF the State. They made new
Consultation. b.. ,he essential Justice
OF the provision to protect the coun
ties from arbitrary ACKNOWLEDGMENT so
appealed TO them that they left II In
the present Constitution changing the
meaning not all and the words but
little, so as TO make them stronger and
palmer This language seems perfect
~ plain and easily understood and Il
IL claimed il does not need lawyer
10 explain # 10 any sane man
Right Way the Only Way.
As the Constitution now stands there
f. no way to extend the corporate
limits OF Baltimore city without the
consent OF the people In the territory
to be annexed This seems entirely
reasonable for Il 10 claimed that
whenever any section become city.like
In character and the city presents a
fair bill the people will vote 10 be
taken in. This was done in 1888. II
the proposed bill should be passed II
would result, in expensive and tedious
litigation. which could only be decided
In one way against the city.
The Annexation acts Of 1874 and
1855, both provided for the Constitu
tional referendum The Republican
gtate Convention OF 1918 natly re
affirmed the principle. but this year,
because OF political deal. II is al.
legged. the Republican platform de
elares, in effect that the people OF tho
Belt shall be taken into the city with.
out being permitted 10 vote upon the
matter. thus reversing the party's un
broken record. The Democratic plat
form declares sQuarely In favor OF an
annexation bill with a referendum to