The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1922-07-21
OUR NEW LAWS

OUR NEW LAWS
headers Of The Egis this week will
have ample opportunity to review i'm.
porant measures passed by the recent
General Assembly and published here
WIN This publication Of laws Is in
accordance with existing statutes and
furnishes virtually the only opportuni.
" Tor the average citizen to familiar.
ize himself with new measures. Az To-.
norance Of the law is no excuse II Is Of
paramount Importance that everyone
pefuse those statutes which may have
bearing on his future welfare.
Inc Public General Laws published
are those selected by the Attorney
seneral as having greatest public in
terest. In the case OF Local Laws ali
VIII be published during successive
weeks and should be most carefully
noted. While the number Of new laws
erecting the whole county Is rather
limited these statutes are none the less
important and should come In for care
full study.
II Is difficult to say which of the
Public General Laws are most impor-
tant but We believe the Havre de Grace
Bridge and Militia bills will make the
strongest appeal to Hartford countiuns
because Of their local association. The
far-famed bridge Is right In our midst
and the present bill was drafted and
fostefed by our local senator to correct
an error Of years ago. There ia no
question that this should be a public
thoroughfare, and the method propos.
ed in the statute seemed the most fea-
sible way Of making It such.
The widely discussed Militia Bill Is
largely the product Of our fellow
townsman who codifed and strength
ened previous measures into the pre.
sent act, pushed 1t through the legis-
iAture against not a little opposition,
and as Adjutant General will be the
administrative head In enforcing IL
Objections were offered to the bin on
the basis that II was too drastic. Some
OF these features were eliminated and
Others modified until the act as passed.
we believe, is subject to little real criti-
cism. II must be borne In mind that
any effective militia bill must be based
on war time conditions when 1t will be
put to real tests. Hence it is neces.
sary that such laws be provided with
teeth even though there is not the
slightest likelihood they will be put
INTO use In times Of peace. Hartford
citizens will unite In saying that Mary
land could not have found better Ad-
jutant General, and II he In the fullness
o. his experience Is ready to sponsor
the law we with oar limited knowledge
q military matters are read to say
eAmen.n
Needless to say any measures hay-
Ing In view the construction Of further
roads will be popular. 1t has ceased
70 be matter Of where will the mon
W come from 2" Now the sole issue
y Where will the new road 70 ~
Most OF US are so ignorant Of the
operations Of optometrists It Ia indeed
fortunate steps have been taken to reg
ulate their practices. The well equip
ped men will take greater pride In
their work because Of a successful
check-up. while the public should be
protected from the unqualified In this
very vital line.
None can question the wisdom Of
Workmen's Compensation for those
Engaged In hazardous work while In
the States employ. This principle has
long applied to enterprising private
concerns and enures to the benefit Of
employers as well rs employees.
so much effort has been made In re.
cent years to modernize our antiquated
election laws, one would suppose pub.
Nc sentiment would demand the i'm
mediate passage Of any good law tend
ing towards election reform. Such Is
not the case, for SO many people get a
lew dollars directly or indirectly out
q election machinery the proposal Of
nearly any change is hailed by storm
~ protest. Thoughtful voters how
escr, are gradually breaking down the
IMPOSITION Of those who would main
tain elections on the old expensive
plane.
Red tape has long surrounded the
operations Of the Public Printer. 1t is
the aim Of the present measure to ex-
pedite the oil important work Of pub.
fishing laws and put il on business
like basis.
While the number Of Public General
Laws published Is somewhat limited
4 must be borne In mind that Of the
hundreds Of measures presented to the
General Assembly very large proper
ton are lost In committee, or showed
under. while fully eighty per cent Of
those which weather the storm are To-
cal In their nature. This suggests that
perhaps still another law would be wise
which provided for more efficient self
government In local affairs. The leg
islative mill grinds exceedingly slow
and In many instances we'll timed
break-downs are very detrimental 10