The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-12-08
Our legislature.
Written for The Cecil Wing.
Success of the American Party;

lS Responsiveness NIcdSHFeS suggested, &c.
The American party are successful, but
with the success comes the responsibility
Important trusts are to be performed and on
the proper performance Of these, the true
popularity of the party in power must rest.
a faithful officer look $ to the promotion of
the public good, without suffering his party
feelings to interfere in the discharge of his
official duties, knowing that the minority
have rights us well as the majority, that are
equally entitled to respect; and his pride
should be, in the conscious uprghtness Of
his course.
The eyes of the community will be on the
party in power, and the judicious manage
mcnt Of public affairs will not only promote
the public welfare, but will add greatly to the
strength of the ruling party. The County
Commissioners elect are men of experience,
and have deep interest in the proper man
agcment of County affairs, and their prompt
business habits an sure guaranty of an
economical administration. With regard to
the Sherilalty an idea has been prevalent
that the Democratic party has been more
SuCCCSsiul tlClE oplOUSutS III SclcCllllS
proper men for the Office, but we hope the
present incumbent will correct that notion,
and show himself worthy the confidence of
the American party, and Of the whole com
munity.
The Legislature will soon convene and
there will no doubt be some subjects of great
interest before them. Should it be expe-
die mt to modify the revenue laws of the
state, the tax on mortgages should be the
first to he stricken off. The operations OF
Z this tax has been exceedingly oppressive to
an industrious and very worthy class Of citi-
zens-those who are struggling to procure
homes for themselves and families, and are
taxed for the land they purchase, and also
for the money which they borrow on the
same property, making two taxes besides the
interest. Justice requires that this matter
should be corrected. The indiscrminate
license for the sale of intoxicating liquors is
one Of the greatest evils in the land, and calls
loudly for reform. And tho no one would
rejoice more than myself to see the traffic
totally prohibited if the people We're fully
prepared to sustain it without the danger Of
reaction, yet the most prudent course would
probably be to break up the groggcrics and
grant licenses to houses of public entertain
ment under such restrictions as the lcgisla-
ture in its wisdom may devise. The weight
of the liquor trade was thrown against the
American party at the late election, and the
result is a happy indication ofpublic opinion.
a. 4 81, L.,
that road having been used by the public
for twenty years, al:ho' no appropriation has
been made for repairs, becomes public pro-
perry. and the owner Of the land is liable to
prcsentmcnt if he close it up. The operation
of this law works great injustice to indi-
viduals in all parts Of the county. man
permits his ncighbors to pass through his
woodland, and other Enclosed lands for their
accommodations and after having enjoyed this
priv legc. for more than twenty years, they
acquire a RICH: by law to the road and will
not permit the owner to close it up, though
he wishes to clear and improve his lands;
and what makes it worse, is the fact, that
such roads are generally very crooked and
running diagonally across fields, suhjecting
the owner to great cost and Inconvenience
sndl injuring the appearance of his property
y I'D Of the country. The law of pres cription
should be modified so as not to operate in
such cases.
The present law for taxing dogs has failed
I to raise revenue sufficient for the purpose
| intended and the opinion seems every where
4 prevalent that the law Should he amended so
~ as to impose a tax on the first dog of a mod
crate sum, but sufficient to meet the loss Of
sheep destroyed by them. And as there is
now registry Of dogs in the county, and also
ofthe value of sheep destroyed in given
time, an estimate could easily be made OF
the required tax. X. N.
T. A II. / j y: