American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-08-08


THE PROPER SPIRIT. The election for menu
bcrs of the house of delegates, which is to take
place in October next, should be conducted
with single eye to the subject of reform; and
ne are glad to see that at some of the public
meetings which have been held, this view Of
the subject has been taken. At the meeting
held in llagerstown, on Saturday last, cit was
unanimously resolved, that this meeting pledge
themselves, individually to support no man or
men for any political Office at the approaching
fall election, who is not in favor OF reform in
the constitution of Maryland, without regard
10 party names or distinctions" This is right
let us have a thorough overhauling Of the con.
stitution of the State, that it may receive a
shape more consistent with the spirit of the
age, and with the principles of justice. If we
mean to act honestly towards the public credi-
&ors, this is the moment to manifest the dispo-
siton, by uniting in The cultailment of all I'M
necessary xpenses-aboshing useless offices
and directing every effort to the replenish-
ment of the public treasury. 1t is correct
maxim, to be Just before being liberal; and as
The incomes of some public officers are now
enormously high, enabling them to accumulate
fortunes whilst the people at large are pressed
by heavy taxes, we think that justice requires,
that compensations should be reduced to more
moderate scale, which would be more consistent
ri nd ocnpotov rat,ui,lipa
institutions In government which was in
stituted by the people, and for the general pro-
lection and benefit, it never could have been
designed, that few offica-holders should amass
large fortunes whilst the people were strug-
Cling to meet the demands of the State upon
them. Were the State out of debt, and able
to meet all current demands from ordinary rev.
enue, it would still be improper to give public
officers more than a fair compensation for the
services which they render: but, under existing
circumstances, when the best financial talents
of the State cannot devise measures to raise
sufficient revenue to redeem the public credit,
without bearing oppressvely upon some class
es Of the community, it would seem to be the
height of folly not to restrict expenditures to
the lowest possible amount On the score then
of justice and economy, reform in this State is
required; and, opposed as it may be, reform
will be effected The people have put their
shoulders to the wheel, and who can impede
its forward motion? Not all the office-holders
in the State and their friends combined, can
prevent reform. The time has passed, when
the cry of party, party, can rally men in oppo-
stion to that which is for the interest Of the
whole people-and reform will be sustained at
The approaching election without reference to
party distinctions The question should be
distinctly put to every candidate for the legis-
jature-''will you vote for the call of con-
Vention to form a new constitutions" &c., and,
unless he reply unequivocally in the affirmative,
let his name be stricken from the ticket
Away with thejuggling of party in this matter:
ye want no wire workers to direct the move
ment-but desire that the people shall express
their own sentiments on the subject of REFORM
boldly and fearlessy, and without the dstinc-
tion of political cliques or combinations. In
combating for reform we have drawn the
sword and thrown away the scabbard-and let
our blows fall where they may among its OPP
ponents, they shall be given with hearty good
will. We recognize no superior obligation
than that to "God, our country and truth"
The meeting in Hagerstown also passed the
follow ing resolutions, and appointed delegates
to the reform convention,
RESOLVED, That this meeting most cordially
approve of the proposed reform Convention to be
held in Baltimore during the present month.
Resoired, That we are in favor Of such re-