Evening star., 1935-01-01
SET
STAGE TO LAUNCH
MARYLAND TERM
SaSSCer of Prince Georges
Looms as President
of Senate.
SESSION TO CONVENE
TOMORROW AT NOON
Official Caucuses Will Be Held
Tonight-Ritchie Completes
Message.
BY GEORGE PORTER,
STAFF Correspondent of The Star.


ANNAPOLIS, January l.-Selection
of the President of the Senate-the
highest State Office which Maryland
Democrat can attain this year-held
the center of public interest as men,
bers of the General Assembly gath
cred here today. The Assembly will
convene at noon tomorrow
Senator Lansdale G. Sasscer Of
Prince Georges County loomed as the
honor. although the situation was
complicated by Republican efforts to
entice four Democrats to support
fusion" candidate for the presi-
dency.
Prince Georges representatives also
were expected to figure prominently
in the selection Of presiding officers
of the House of Delegates, Kent r.
Mullikin being a candidate for the
floor leadership, which carries with 1t
the chairmanship of the Ways and
Means Committee, and Charles G.
Marbury, a candidate for the chair
manship of the Judiciary Committee.
Delegation All New.
If either fails to win the position to
which he aSpires, he will become
chairman of the county delegation, a
post held during the past two ses-
sions by Mullikin. Delegate T. Yel-
lott Candy will be chairman of the
Montgomery delegation.
Montgomery County's representatives
are all new to the legislative halls, but.
in the main, are expected to support
the Prince Georges veterans in their
ambitions to win important positions.
Senator Stedman Prescott of Mont
gomery is reported to be one of the
eight Senators sure" to vote for Sem
ator Sasscer for President. Ten votes
are necessary to nominate in the party
caucus. The three Democratic men,
bers of Montgomerys delegation are
expected to support Mullikin for the
floor leadership of the House.
Countless informal meetings were
held last night and today by the Re-
publican and Democratic legislators
as all sort of IDEALS" were proposed in
connection with the organization Of
the two branches of the Assembly. The
selection of State treasurer, who is
elected by joint vote Of Senate and
House, also figured in the negotiations
John M. Dennis, incumbent, and
Hooper Miles of Salisbury, are candi-
dates.
Caucuses Tonight.
The informal gatherings were. pre-
liminary to the official caucuses to be
held tonight when the Democrats will
meet in the State House and the Re-
publicans in Carvel Hall
While the presidency of the Senate
remained uncertain, the Speakership
of the House appeared won by Dele
gate Emanuel Gorfine of Baltimore
City. He was promised the support Of
the city delegation yesterday. 1t has
been the practice in recent years to
have the Speaker come from the city
delegation and the President of the
Senate be county man
The city Senators are said to favor
Sasscer for the presidency, Senator j.
Allan Coad of st. Marys County for
the floor leadership and Craftsmanship
of the Finance Committee and Senator
Joseph L. Donovan of Howard County
for chairman Of the Judiciary Com
mittee.
City delegates are reported partial
to Delegate Mullikin as House floor
leader.
Richie Entertains.
Many legislators arrived in the cap
ital early today and planned to at
tend Gov. Ritchie's final New Year
day reception at the executive mansion
this afternoon. The Governor will
first be host to the officers of the
National Guard at noon, and will re-
ceive the public from 4 to pm. A
record attendance is expected.
Assisting the Governor in receiving
will be Rear Admiral David Foote
Sellers, superintendent Of the Naval
and Mayor Walter E. Quen-
stedt Of Annapolis.
Last night the Governor completed
his message to the Assembly and sent
it to the printers. 1t will be delivered
before a joint session of the House and
Senate tomorrow afternoon.
After receiving the Governors mes
sage. the Legislature usually adjourns
until the following week to give the
presiding officers time to appoint COM
mittees. This precedent may be broken
by the new Legislature, however, be-
cause some of its Democratic members
favor passing number of bills in time
to be signed by Gov. Ritchie before he
relinquishes the executive chair to
Gov.-elect Harry w. Nice on January 8.