In the elections of 1899 the State returned to the Democratic ranks. In that year the present Governor, John Walter Smith, was elected by the Democratic party. The Democrats have also a majority in each house of the State Legislature (1900).

Introduced, 1890.

An important change in the election laws of the State was made in the year 1890, when the "Australian ballot" system was adopted. In the old system The Secret Ballot the voting tickets of the different political parties were printed on separate slips of paper, and the agents of these parties would stand along the street near the polls offering their tickets to everyone who came to vote; and we have seen that in one election, at least, tickets of a special color were used by one party. In the new system the government prints the names of all the candidates together on one large sheet, sometimes called a "blanket" or "folder," and all the tickets are in charge of an officer of election who gives one out to each voter. The voter on receiving his ticket goes to a little stall where no one can overlook him, and marks the names of those candidates for whom he wishes to vote. He then folds up his ticket again and it is put into the ballot-boxfolded, so that no one can see for whom he is voting. It is a much better system than the old, and prevents a great deal of fraud and dishonesty in the elections.

CHAPTER XIV.

INSTITUTIONS AND SCHOOLS.

The years following the Civil War were marked by the foundation of a number of institutions in Maryland. The corner stone of the Peabody Institute in Baltimore

was laid as early as April 16, 1859, but the building was

Many Institutions

Founded in the

Second Half of the
Nineteenth Century.

not finally completed until 1879. George Peabody, the founder, was born in Massachusetts, but lived for some time in

Baltimore. The Institute was endowed

by him with the sum of $1,400,000 and contains, in addi

tion to a very valuable library, an art museum, a conservatory of music, and lecture halls where courses of free public lectures are given. Another foundation is the McDonogh Institute, which was established by John McDonogh, a Baltimorean by birth, who on his death in 1850 left a large part of his fortune, about $750,000, to found a school in Maryland. Owing to law-suits over the property, however, the school was not opened until 1873. It is situated on an estate of eight hundred acres within a few miles of Baltimore, and on this estate the boys learn practical and scientific farming in addition to the subjects usually taught in schools. The endowment has increased in value until now it is worth more than a million dollars. Another school founded by the liberality of an individual is the Tome Institute at Port Deposit, which was opened in 1894. This school was endowed by the Hon. Jacob Tome, originally, with $957,750, but the endowment has since increased to $3,000,000. It is intended to embrace all grades of schools, beginning with the kindergarten. A sanitarium where sick children, especially young babies, of the poor can be taken out of the hot city in the summer and receive careful treatment and nursing, was founded by Thomas Wilson in 1882. He bequeathed half a million dollars for the purpose, and

ENOCH PRATT.

the sanitarium was built on a farm of one hundred and

On

seventy acres within a short distance of Baltimore. January 21, 1882, Enoch Pratt, of Baltimore, offered that

city the sum of $833,3333, in addition to buildings to cost $225,000 to found a free public library, on condition that the city appropriate $50,000 a year forever for the support of the library. The gift was promptly accepted,

and the library, known as the Enoch Pratt Free Library of Baltimore, was formally opened January 4, 1886. Enoch Pratt, like George Peabody, was born in Massachusetts, but removed to Baltimore while still a young man.

JOHNS HOPKINS.

On February 22, 1876, the Johns Hopkins University was formally opened in Baltimore. The founder, Johns Hopkins, was born in Anne Arundel County. As a merchant and banker in Baltimore he grew very wealthy, and with his wealth he determined to found a university and a hospital. On his death he left to the University his country place, "Clifton," of Over three hundred acres, and a fund of three million dollars. To the Hospital he gave thirteen acres of land in Baltimore City as a site, and in addition about two million dollars. Since the year 1893 the Johns Hopkins Hospital has formed a part of the Medical School of the University which was opened in that year. Miss Mary Garrett, of Baltimore, contributed liberally to the fund for founding the Medical School, on the condition that women should be admitted to its courses of study on the same terms as men. Dr. Daniel C. Gilman was selected by the trustees as president of the University, a position which he occupied until the year 1901, when he resigned and was succeeded by Professor Ira Remsen. To Dr. Gilman's efforts and ability were largely due the successful organization of the University and its successful management. The