The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-05-24
WHY AN EXTRA SESSION.

State Senator Frank E. Williams, who
is also editor of the Cecil Wing, one of
the best Republican journals that comes
to our exchange desk. wants to know
why an extra session of the MARYLAND
Legislature is necessary. Occupying
the position he does and thoroughly ac-
qusinted with matters pertaining to
the State, Senator Williams makes his
position plain, and we believe the Mary
land citizenry, with the exception of
the Governors sycophants, who see an
opportunity to boost their political fu-
ture and at the same time have a
finger in the expenditure of the propos-
ed two million dollar fund to be created
and placed at the disposal of the execu-
tive Ito be expended as the Governor
directs" will appreciate Senator Will
liams' mote of warning" and give him
their unalloyed support. Senator Will
liams' article follows and we commend
it to the thoughtful consideration of
The Republicans readers:
1.-The Governor has again postponed
the date for calling the Maryland Leg
islature in special session. Good. Bet
ter yet would be still later postpone
ment and best of all would be a post
ponement to about the first week in
January, 1915. In other words, will
some one kindly explain to our ignor-
ance what Thoroughbred justification
can be invoked for calling the Maryland
Legislature in special session at all.
"Of course there is the luscious pos
sibility of the special appropriation of
two millions of dollars tor State de-
fense-"to be expended as the Cover
nor may direct. " Bosh! We know the
Maryland Legislature is likely to do
most any old thing under the whip and
spur of executive orders" but we
are inclined to think that even set of
subservient, boot licking sycophants will
balk at the idea OF foisting two million
of dollars on the already burdened tax
payers for purposes that are, for the
most part underlined and for the part de-
fined are utterly improper and uncalled
for. We may be mistaken but we
rather expect to see somebody raise
particular hell in the Maryland Legis-
lature before this proposition gets
across.
''And it is the only proposition so far
as we have discovered, that seems to
have in it theft" enough to call for a
special session. To be sure, there is
that other admirable little innovation
of State Constabulary-o 80 mem.
The mountains labored, etc. etc; Call
the Legislature in special session to
create state police of so menl. Why
(plagarizing from Daniel Webster tell
me gentlemen what the expense NAV
be and | will pay it myself!
"The fact is that great many folks
get light in the head" at times like
these-newspapers especially. Why,
we rather think the newspapers were
responsible for the statement that At.
torney General Richie opined the
referendum" clause of the Constitu-
ton does not apply to Especial sessions. -
What do you know about THAT! Think
how the Attorney assuming
that he is at all sensitive as to his legaj
clearinghouse have enjoyed having a
''cub" reporter quoting him as con.
tending that the Constitution of Mary.
land goes out when a special session
comes in! Of course. the Attorney
General never made any such state.
ment. The newspapers just got Eight
in the head, and SAID he did. Anc
so it goes, until we are really very
grateful for the continued postponement
of the special Legislature, and would
be more grateful yet if it never was
called at ALL