The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-03-09

themselves and the galleries by
wrangling over minor issues and rails
ing their voices over unimportant
party measures. Although there isn't
much in the way of legislation to re-
port this week, we have found many
amusing incidents which we shall at
tempt to convey. Most amusing is the
appearance Of several gentlemen from
Garrett county who claim to have the
interests of the taxpayers at heart,
and who are to be seen everywhere as
lobbyists. One of these gentleman is
spending the greater part of his time
lobbying against the proposed bill to
prohibit the sale of fireworks in the
state. The other active lobbyist is on
the politically ambitious side and is
working in behalf of the County Com
missioners. He may be an interested
taxpayer, but we venture the guess
that there is a greater motive behind
the sudden interest. 1t might be in
teresting to know who is paying the
bill.
Also adding color to the scene and
at the same time giving the Garrett
delegation more to worry with, and
about, was the arrival of a former
delegate early this week. While being
fine chap, he just can't forget that
he was once a member of the lower
house and so in typical fashion he has
attempted to "take over" and tell the
boys how it should be done.
The above mentioned fireworks bill
is meeting with a great deal of pro
and con discussion. Large groups of
interested persons are at Annapolis in
connection with it. One group is civic
minded thinking of the dangers of,
and the hundreds who are injured each
Fourth by fireworks. The other group
is interested only in the profits which
fireworks and they are prepared to
fight the bill to finish. Knowing the
Maryland Legislature as we do, it is
hard to believe that they will go along
with safety-frst minded citizens and
prohibit the sale of the small devices
which injure hundreds of children
each year. 1t looks like another victory
for the lobbyists!
Sometimes after watching the nasty
situations which are created by
shrewd lobbyists we wonder if it
wouldn't be a grand idea to lock up
the members of our Legislature when
they convene and not open the gates
until they have completed their job.
If this were possible then our law
makers would have the opportunity
to think for themselves; but this
would be political suicide.
Now for few lines about legisla-
ton concerning Garrett county. After
much pressure from all sides, Dele
gates Martin and Grove have intro
duced, "by request" a bill which if
passed would authorize the county
commissioners to borrow up to one
third of the estimated return from
county taxes. This bill would help the
commissioners to avoid embarrassing
financial difficulties during the period
of the year when there is no money to
meet necessary expenses. The phrase
"by request" means that the men who
introduced the bill are not necessarily
backing it, and may not even favor it's
passage. While on the subject of taxes
we might note in passing that the re-
vised tax bill is moving and will be
passed within a few days.
Delegate Groves has introduced a
bill which shows decided lack of CO.
OpeIdIlOu duIOIS IIle IHGlHDeIS VI IIS
county delegation. His bill, if passed,
would repeal the sums of money given
each year to the communities of
Swanton and Friendsville. The money
is diverted from the gasoline tax, and
Swanton receives $4,000 each year
while Friendsville receives $4,000.
This money is used to keep the streets
and sidewalks of the respective COM
munities in repair. AS we reported
last week, Darwin Martin introduced
bill similar to the laws which Mr..
Groves is attempting to repeal and
which would give the community of
Kempton $4,000 per year for street
and road maintenance. At this writing
it is difficult to determine the conflict
between the two delegates. However,
we are certain that before another
week rolls around, they will have got
ten together and will have the situa-
ton we'll in hand. Throughout the SEES
sion the members of the Garrett
county delegation have been working