The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-03-11
General Assembly In Session

luSS Ou DUln SluSS VI lAO SI"IS AASN'S
and in the executive Departments up
stairs. The lobby is here in force,
for and against various important
measures, and 2 knowledge or What
usually inspires TIE gentlemen or the
Third House leads to the conclusion
that money must be plentiful to aid
the work that is going on. Who has
the money, who has put it up, and
who will get it in the end (or wheth-
er anyone will get it for most OF 1t
usually sticks to tho hands OF the
"agents") are always mysteries
many of which are never cleared up
until after the close of the Session.
But, that money is here is evident,
for the gentlemen who are working
so strenuously On the outside, do not
usually remain at the State House
day after day unless there are other
considerations besides zeal for the
public welfare. One of the curious
things which always impress those
who have been familiar with the
workings of the General Assembly
for years. is tho ease with Wh1ch
many of the members are gulled ana
fooled by the agents or the loDpy.
Men are persuaded to vote on the
crooked side of important bills with
tho promise of pay, when ths vote
is taken and the people in the DaeK
ground usually have the money put
up. But the agents, in many cases
never give it up, and the innocent
member who has allowed hfmself TO
be gulled into voting and working
for some measure, which Will ruin
his reputation at home, and put him
out Of politics, never gets a cent
nothing but broken promises, while
the Lobbyist wakes rich and pros
porous on his i'll gotten gains. The
same old game is going on here now
and no doubt will continue to go on
in future sessions as 1t has in the
past for many generations.
The Congressional situation in the
Eastern Shooc District in both part
les. in puzzling to both tho demo-
cratic and Republican leaders. Col.
Albert w. Sisk IS 81 present the on
ly openly avowcd candidate for the
democratic nomination, but there
are signs Of serious underground op-
position to him, which may at any
timo break forth in open hostility
to his nomination. Efforts nave
been made, and are still being made
to persuade Mr.. Alan Goldsborough
of Caroline County, to enter the
fight for the nomination, and back
of this movement in favor OF Mr..
Goldsborough, are tive OF the most
influential men on the Shore, in the
persons OF ex-Congressman Joshua
w. Miles. of Somerset County and
Mr.. w. Mason Shehan of Talbot
County. And in the background it
is reported here today, that ex-Gov-
ernor Harrington Is perfectly will
ing" to enter the fight against Col.
Sisk, or any other man. for the nomi-
nation. 1t is also said that efforts
will be made to persuade Col. Sisk
to withdraw, ''for the sake or mar
mony," but the Colonel will, no
doubt, refuse. He has been en-
eouraged- by many county leaaf To
enter the race, and for more Fhan
two months has been sole occupant
of the field, and his friends will re-
sent any effort On the part of his OPP
ponents to side-track him, or pre-
vent his having fair and open
chance to win the nomination in
legitimate contest before the people
of his district.
The Republicans on the Eastern
Shore are also facing contest.
Congressman Andrews is candidate
for denomination, and Senators Glib
son, of Dorchester, and Robbins OF
Somerset, are both anxious to lock
horns with him in the primaries.
Ex-senator Jackson, who is said to
prefer Mr.. Andrews and to favor his
denomination, will probably use his
influence to clear the way for his
favorite, and MI. Gibson is said to
be contrary enough to have deter
mined to stay in the fight, while Mr..
Robbins may be persuaded to get
out.
Senator George Epplcr, of Allie
CLANCY, has taken high rank this
session as one of the most active and
influential members of the Upper
House. Mr.. Eppler Is able and ener-
getic, and is popular with everybody
regardless of politics, including the
members of both Houses and all the
State Officials, from the Governor
down. He is always cheerful and
jolly. and has o pleasant word for
all. He literally ''radiates good
nature" as one of the older Sena-
tors said recently; and when he takes
the floor in behalf Of any Bill, or
other matter in which he may be in
terested, he is listened to with at
tention and interest. He is ready
and, at times, eloquent speaker, and
unlike many of his colleagues, he
never talks too long but always stops
before he wearies his audience. He
is looked upon as one of the rising
men of Western Maryland, and a
bright future in public affairs is pre-
dicted for him on all sides.
Mr.. Coblentz( Chairman Of the
Committe on Ways and Means, and
the real financial leader of the Gen
eral Assembly, is busy endeavoring
to smooth out certain rough places
in the budget, which will enable the
policy of the administration in re-
gard to the reduction Of the direct
tax rate, to be carried out. MT.
Coblentz is an expert with figures
and has so familiarized himself with
the real financial condition OF the
State, that 1t is generally believed
that he will be able so to arrange
matters that the tax reduction can
Ldh0 place, duO IAdI "ACA tA4O o4AA
comes in to levy the taxes for the
State for the next two years, it will
be shown that the amount can be
safely placed at two cents less on the
hundred dollars than it is at the
present time.
Senator Harrison has had no little
difficulty in framing the State Road
Bill so that it will be reasonably sat
isfactorily to all sections Of the State
and Just to the tax payers. With the
exception of some dissatisfaction in
two or three counties he has at last
succeeded, and the Bill will be. prob
ably, passed in the near future. Mr..
Harrison has devoted large part
of his time ever since the beginning
of the session to the Road question;
he has made several tours to various
parts of the State in making his in
quiries, and be believes that he has
at last perfected Bill which VIII
be as near what it ought to be as
is humanity possible. He certainly
hes Iuorlycd on tha auhiapf with great