The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-01-31
The STATE law
MAKERSCETBUSY
Fourth Week of Session Sees
Matters Taking Shape.
STATE House, ANNAPOLIS, ND.


| For nearly half a century, prior to
the opening of each session, announce
ments have been made by the news
papers. party leaders and others IN
terested IN public affairs, that the SEES
sion about TO open would be different
| from all its predecessors-th all sorts
of reforms were about to take place in
the methods and procedure and that
| drastic economics were to be the rule
Solemn warnings were published 10 the
! Baltimore newspapers as to what must
take place at Annapolis, that the old
methods and customs must give way to
reforms, or defeat and disaster would
surely overtake those who might be
guilty OF preventing these desirab
changes. But General Assemblies have
met, have gone on in their usual way,
and have adjourned, and the way they
have followed has been largely the old
traditional way, which has grown NJ in
Maryland during the past century, ana
more. and the men at Annapolis now
are just like their predecessors-th
will transact the business just the same
as their fOrefathers have done. and in
no other way. A personal observation
and close acquaintance with at least
twenty special and regular sessions,
has convinced the writer that the
General Assembly Of Maryland, no
matter what political party may be in
control, has always been a most con-
conservative body, and that the present
session will be no exception to the rule.
In this way only will the General As
sembly of 1918 legislate for the good or
evil of the people, and the public may
expect all the time-honored as well as
the time-dishonored precedents of the
past to be followed to the closing
hours, after midniq bit of the first Mon
day in April.
Already signs are not lacking that
the session will be full of excitement
and interest. Measures Of great i'm.
portance to the people Of the State are
already here, among which may be
named the Bills to enlarge the bound
aries of Baltimore City, the Statewide
Prohibition Bill, and the Bill TO pro-
bIbit race track gambling in any form
in Maryland. This bill is modelled on
the laws now in force in New York. and
known as the Hughes laws, after Gov
ernor Hughes who was the author and
and patron of the measures, and which
are said to haye proved successful in
operation.
The Republicans are not happy, al
though they have nominal control of
the House, and within one vote of
majority in the Senate They are torn
by fractional quarrels this early in the
session, and even Chairman TAFT, with
all his skill and suavity of manner does
not seem able to smooth out the rough
places, notwithstanding the fact that
he is here on the ground and is using
all his efforts to bring about peace and
harmony OF action. What will happen
later on, when things become real hot,
it is not difficult to conjecture, and Mr..
Tait's first efforts to run conglomer
ate legislative body will probably turn
out as dlsasterously as did the efforts
of his predecessors to run the Repub!i-
can sessions of 1896 and 1898. The
Republican chairman of that time was
Senator George L. Wellington, who is
admittedly the ablest and most forceful
Republican leader Maryland has ever
produced. He gave up the attempt to
regulate the legislatures of these dates
as an impossible task, there were 50
many .jealousies, plots and counter
plots. Mr.. TAFT may succeed, but the
chances are that he will meet with
failure.
The retirement of Mr.. John M. Den
MS from the position of State Treas
urer will be regretted by all those who
have the welfare of MARYLAND at heart.
Mr.. Dennis has made an ideal public
official. Without any reflection on his
long line of worthy predecessors, it is
not eXaggeration to say that the retiring
treasurer has excelled all in his zeal.
and his ability and devotion to his
duties. Mr.. Dennis is first and fore
most business man, and he has given
all that Is best in him as an able and
successful business man to his work in
the management of the State Treasury,
and as member of the Board of Public
Works. Should he be elected Governor
of Maryland next year, and his name is
more frequently mentioned as the sue
cessor to Governor Harrington than
that of any one else, he would no doubt
give the State an ideal business ad-
ministration.
Mr.. Selby has been chosen chairman
of the Garrett delegation, and as such
will have charge of all matters of legis
lation pertaining to the county. He is
also a member Of several of the general
committees of the House, including
membership in the committee on Wavs