The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1940-05-30
HOLDS HOME RULE FOR
COUNTIES IMPROBABLE
State Senate Head Says Legis-
latOrs Prefer To Rule Affairs;
Doubts Change In Procedure
Jams" WILL CONTINUE


(Dem., KENT, president of the Mary
land Senate, Monday expressed the
belief that there was no chance that
the Legislature would approve homo
rule for the counties. He thought the
lawmakers would likewise turn thumbs
down on a proposed amendment to
embody legislative rules of procedure
in the State Constitution.
The inclusion of rules of both houses
of the Legislature in the Constitution,
it was pointed out, would tie political
manipuEators' hands and prevent
jockey of bills in closing hours of the
sessions.
This proposal was made by Dele
gate Jerome Robinson (Dem., Fourth
Baltimore), to end the "jams."
"No one more sincerely wants to
get rid of these jams than l." said Sen
ator Brice "As presiding officer of
the Senate, I have been in very good
position to see the confusion and
trouble they cause.
In Entire Sympathy
"Hence l am in entire sympathy
with Mr.. Robinson's aim. However, !
fear the Legislature will not submit
to the voters a proposal for the in
corporation of the rules into the Con-
stitution or home rule for the counties.
81 am certain the sentiment of the
General Assembly at present is very
much against the latter proposal. The
members of the House and Senate
would much rather run the affairs Of
their countries from Annapolis than
hand them over to their county con-.
missioners.
Must Face Facts"
whether their motives are good or
bad, the situation nevertheless PIE,
walls, and the facts must be faced. The
Legislative Council is facing them ana
hopes to present an orderly, practical
plan for speeding legislative pro
cedure.
eve have discussed the situation at
several meetings and | am frank to
say we have not arrived at any good
method as yet. We intend to devote a
great deal more study to it before the
Legislature reconvenes."
Mr.. Robinson is a member of a
group of rookie legislators who have
been criticizing legislative procedure.
To this group in general, Senator
Brice, veteran legislator, addressed
a word of caution.
81 am in favor of much of what they
propose" he said. 81 am opposed to
some of it. On all their proposals,
they must submit practical plans
something it is hard for an ineXper-
fenced legislator to do, or else they
will be defeated"
Senator Brice said he believed mucr
Of the Legislatures trouble stemmed
from the fact that it is underpaid
Members, like janitors, flag raisers
and doorkeepers, get S. day for their
services.
Voted Each 5000
The Senator pointed out that the
Legislature at the last session had
voted each member 5000 a session for
clerical help" for the 1941 session.
This was seen as nothing more than a
salary raise for many members. Some
of the so-called economy bloc that
have been criticizing the Legislature
and it's procedure have admitted they
intend to pocket this $780,
The Senator said he was not opposed
to the $25 session postage stamp al
loWance, to which some have objected
He said that some members, palticu-
larly those in influential positions
spent much more than this amount for
stamps. Others, he admitted, probably
did not spend S. in year.
at isn't possible to differentiated
he said. eve have to treat everyone
alike or there will be trouble"
Senator Brice criticized Mr.. Robin.
sons home-rule proposal He said he
did not believe local legislation ac.
counted for as much "jamming" as is
generally believed.
Bills Used As Threats
"The biggest factor is the holding
up of bills for purposes" he said
Measures are held up for trading pur.
poses and in order to threaten people.
A chief spokesman for the home
rule proposal is Delegate Leon A
Rubenstein, Fourth district colleague
of Mr.. Robinson. Mr.. Robinson a
the last session introduced Legislation
to permit. local self-government, but
the proposal was defeated.
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