The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-08-12
GOV. HARRINGTON
and ANNEXATION
He always Favored Extension of City
Limits-Had Power to Veto Bill,
But Accepted it on Its Face Value
As Representing The Wishes of
The People OF City.

n
As Representing The Wishes of
The People OF City.
In the rejoicing in Baltimore over
the decision of the Court of Appeals
in upholding the validity of the city
annexation act, the part played by
Governor Harrington has been
dwarfed, if not entirely overlooked,
because the impression was general
that the Governor was opposed to
annexation from every viewpoint. If
the opposition attributed to him was
as deep-rooted as many people We're
led to believe, he would have vetoed
the bill
In fact, many men, and many of
them have been Governors of Mary
land, have had revengeful natures
and if similarity endowed the Cover
nor would have taken keen delight
in withholding his signature from the
measure. By such action, or rather
lack of action, he would have con-
ferred favors upon two men most
closely attached to him, politically
and personally, Congressman Talbot,
of Baltimore county, and DR.. George
Wells, of Anne Arundel, and their
respective followers. BY signing the
bill, and he could not be swayed from
what he thought was his plain duty,
he has alienated many political
friends in Anne Arundel and Balti-
more counties, while it is doubtful if
he has gained single political re-
jcruit in Baltimore city
Governor Harrington from the
beginning of his administration has
been in favor of the enlargement of
the city's limits. He committed him
self to this policy when he made his
opening speech in his campaign for
Governor in New Bohemian Hall in
1915 The Governor has at no time
been in favor of annexation of large
agricultural tracts to the city, and
he so stated. He declared himself to
be in favor of the bill fathered by
Senator P ]. Campbell which eX-
cluded undeveloped sections. Two
years ago he stood ready to sign the
annexation bill when provision shall
have been made for assuming part
of the Indebtedness of Anne Arun-
del county by the city, a provision
which was made in a supplemental
bill passed by the last Legislature.
Those who followed the proceedings
in the annexation bill two years ago
will recall that after visit by Sena-
tor Smith to Annapolis and after, a
conference among Democratic Sena-
tors and delegates a bill was agreed
upon, which at that time was satls-
factory to the city. Somebody, how
ever, came along and kicked the pail
over. Senator Smith washed his
hands of the measure, went back to
Washington, and the annexation bill
: was lost.
The fact is not lost sight of that
: Mayor Preston and City Solicitor
Field renewed their fight for a Grea-
. ter Baltimore aud won.
Governor Harrington was blamed
for the crossing of the wires by
: which this bill was defeated. He
took the criticism leveled against
him without hitting back. That has
.. always been his policy. He was ac-
cused of trying to pull Republican
Senators away from their platform
!. promises in the last General Assem-
bly,. The final vote showed that as
manipulation of Republican votes he
was a sad and dismal failure. The OBJ
: jections which Republican Senators
had to the annexation bill did have
their source in the Governors Office.
They were based On the special paw
ing tax imposed on farm land and on
the absence of provision for assum-
ing a part of the Indebtedness OF
: Anne Arundel county by the city,
both of which objections were re-
moved by two supplemental bills,
:
Governor.
Time will have to pass before the
bitterness of the annexation fight can
: be removed and all the phases of the
contest viewed from an impartial
standpoint. When that review shall
have been made the fact will be
brought out that Governor Harring-
ton and county Democrats in the
: legislature were not as inimical to
! : the city's growth as represented.
There were some hidebound Demo
Gratis who urged the Governor to We
to the annexation bill, which was
without referendum-a proposition
, for which the Democratic State plat
form declared. They dwelt at length
passed by Republican majority in the
House and by Republican Senators
from the counties, aided by Demo
cratic Senators from the city. Two
! years before, the Democratic State
, platform was without a referendum.
They carried the city, but there was
= big slump in their vote in Balti-
more and Anne Arundel counties. In
the platforms two years later the po-
D sitions of the two parties were rever-
] sed. The Republicans, who have not
received proper and full credit for
winning the annexation fight, de,
clared against a referendum while
: the Democrats declared for a refer
endum. The Democrats lost a ma.
jority of the city delegation in the
House. while their vote in Baltimore
county was a record-breaker.
In other lines Governor Harring
ton has been friendly to the city'S
interests. He was instrumental il
having passed the law removing the