Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-06-15
Extra Session OF The legislature.

oAuoohuihdAy oCooiOu Oh AuCcudy iuots
The Senate and House were organized by
the reelection Of the old officers. except
David G. Mcintosh. of Baltimore county,
who was made Speaker of the House to
succeed Hon. Philip D. Laird, of this county,
who is now member of the State Public
Service Commission. Following is Gov.
Harrineton's message to that body.
BY virtue Of the power vested in me by
the Constitution Of the State Of Maryland
on the 25th day Of May. ultimo, issued a
proclamation calling you in extraordinary
session for the consideration Of questions
and for the enactment Of laws which are
germane to the needs Of our State and
which are intended to assist the Federal
government in the carrying out of the
stupendous war undertakings which our
government has inaugurated at this most
critical period Of its history.
A time has arrived in human affairs
which no prophet could have foretold but
which is fraught with consequences or
potentialities SO grave that they stagger
the human intellect to measure or to COM
prehend Practically the entire civilized
world is at war. the destinies Of nations
hang in the balance and the very founda-
tons of human liberty are being shaken to
the depths.
Our great peace-lOving nation, after a
forbearance that should have satisfied
the most ardent pacifists and which has
convinced the world that our country has
turned to arms at last, only to take its
place upon the side Of human rights and
to spend itself that the principles upon
which it was founded shall not perish from
the earth. Is at war with nations that have
violated every principle Of international
law and disregarded every appeal to JUS
tice or to mercy.
In the face Of conditions like these, true
to her duty and her history and her tradi
tons. Maryland must and will play no
laggard's part.
Under these circumstances have called
you together and recommended to your
favorable consideration the following meas
ures:
STATE GUARD NEEDED.
First-The National Guard Of Maryland
will soon be called upon to leave our State,
and in that case the State will have no
means of affording adequate protection to
its public buildings. water supplies or other
properties. to its public service or indus
trial plants. unless provision is made for
the organization Of State guards.
|. therefore. recommend the enactment
of law authorizing the Governor to re-
cruit, organize, train. equip, arm, ammu-
milton and maintain body Of armed
troops within the State to be known as
the Maryland State Guard. and that the
same may be called into active service
whenever and as often as and for such
periods Of time as in his judgment the
public interests and safety may require.
Second-That volunteer fire companies
and associations. subject to the approval
of the Governor and the Adjutant General,
may constitute themselves county guards
Of the county in which they may be serving.
Third-The enactment of a law that will
authorize the Governor during the present
war to declare successive legal holidays
whenever he deems the public interests SC
require.
Fourth-The suspension Of legal pro
ceedings brought by or against persons In
the military. naval or war service under
certain restrictions and conditions.
Fifth-The suspension Of judgments, etc,
against persons unable to pay by reason Of
the war. under certain restrictions and con-
ditions.
Sixth-The suspension Of the statutes of
limitations in favor Of persons absent on
account Of the war.
VoTE BY MAIL.
SEVENTH recommend the passage Of a
law authorizing and providing the means
for duly qualified voters absent in the civil
or military or naval service Of the United
States or the State Of Maryland. by reason
Of state of war or other circumstances
calling them into such service. to vote by
mail in the precinct. ward or election dis
trict wherein they are registered voters at
all general. primary and special elections,
whether presidential. congressional. judi
cial, state. county or legislative district. or
any election in Baltimore city. subject to
certain limitations and contingencies.
Eiehth-The enactment OF such laws that
will prevent the name of any voter being
stricken of the registration books during
his absence in the military or naval ser
vice Of the United States. or In the service
Of the United States government on bust
ness connected with the prosecution of any
war in which this country may be engaged.
and such laws providing for the entry.
when new general registrations are held.
Of the names Of newly registered voters
absent as above stated upon the new reg
istratiOn books.
Practically all the States in the Union
iluNC cHdCtDu 0HiiIiuE iCki3iutiOn hb ChIcu
for In the last two sections. and the just
ness and fairness Of the measures are too
generally recognized for much difference
Of opinion as to their enactment.
STATE FARM.
Ninth-It has been generally conceded
that prison contract labor at our different
penal institutions ought to be abolished
as rapidly as possible and that outdoor
work is in every respect highly desirable.
With such aim in view and for the purpose
If greater food production, recommend
an act providing for the acquisition. estab-
ishment and maintenance Of State farm
Tor prison labor to be under the control Of
he State Board Of Prison Control.
Tenth-Also. believing that the State
Institutions should have as much land as
hey with their inmates can successfully
ill and cultivate. and having ascertained
hat the institutions hereafter named can