The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1922-02-03
BALTIMORE LETTER.


January 25th, 1922.
The General Assembly has settled
down, and the work of the session is
now going on with more than the US
ual vigor at this stage of the pro-
ceeding. The Committees are holding
regular meetings, and the important
bills which have been introduced, are
being considered as rapidly as pos
sible, and from time to time will be
reported out Heads of departments
and other State officials, are here AT
intervals, ready to explain doubtful
or obscure points, and there is every
indication that the General Assembly
of 1922 will be one of the busiest
ever held in the old State House.
Governor Richie, while still con-
fined to his room on account of weak
ness, is really attending to business
to a considerable extent, and receives
visitors during part OF the day. He at
tends to all his correspondence, reads
and signs all necessary papers, and is
on his job with much of his old-tlme
vigor. Next week he expects to be
able to go to his Office in the State
House, and direct operations from
there. AS it is, he has his hands on the
throttle, and nothing of importance is
going on without his knowledge. He is
cheerful and full of hope, and, aside
rom the physical weakness which Is
the result of his really serious illness
is as we'll as ever and more than anX
ious to get back to his Office in the
State House, where his presence vii.
add new vigor and energy to the Sen
ators and Delegates who are doing
there best to legislate for the public
welfare.
The chief subjects of discussion
among the assembled statesmen in
their informal conferences, in the
Chambers and Corridors of the State
House, are the proposed legislation
regarding prohibition enforcement
and the regulation or suppression OF
Horse racing. The opinion is becom-
ing strong as the days pass on. that
both these difficult and unpleasant
matters will be referred to the voters
for decision at the Congressional cleo
ton to be held in November next.
These will be several amendments to
the State Constitution placed before
the people at that time, for ratitica-
ion or rejection. There will be no more
i
the general impression is that it will
be good time for the people, by their
votes to decide what they want the
/ State to aid the National Government
| to enforce the VolStead prohibition
/ law. and also whether they want the
present system of race track manage
ment to continue or to be abolished.
| The present indications are that both
these mooted subjects Will be handed
over to the people for determination,
so that the policy of Maryland may
once and for all time, be settled.
There seems little doubt about the
final passage of all the bills to carry
out the reorganization plans OF the
Governor. These bills are all in the
hands of the appropriate committees.
There may be some slight amend
ments, but they will doubtless be of no
great Importance, and a large pro-
portion of the members of both par
ties appear to be determined TO
enact of these bills, just as they were
prepared. without material changes.
Some of the officials, who will be left
out place by the reorganization, are
Iopenly hostile to the whole scheme
and will no doubt do all in their pow
er to defeat it, or bring about impor-
tant notifications, but the Governor
is determined and his influence here
is sufficient to carry through all the
plans which he has prepared for the
betterment of the public service.
In the meantime the numerous
practical politicians who are gathered
here including many who are not
connected with the General Assembly
are vigorously discussing the outlook
; for the future, and the probable NOM
inees for the National House of Rep
resentatives in the several districts OF
: the State. as well as the United States
Senate Notwithstanding the untimidly
BOOM started a short time ago for
) Mr. John NJ. Dennis, State Treasurer
: as the Democratic nominee to sue
lceed Senator France. very many peo-
pie still believe that Ex-senator John