The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-25

While we acknowledge, with a sincere feeling
of obligation, the promptness and efficiency with
which the Legislature of Maryland has extended
its aid to our city, at the present session, by the
adoption of vital measures for its future protec.
ton and government, we beg most earnestly to
impress upon Senators and Delegates alike the
necessity of completing the circle of reform, if
they would earn for themselves the perpetual and
unmixed gratitude of this community Nay, we
would endeavor, most earnestly, to convince them.
that if in the legislation which they have already
adopted, they have contemplated the welfare Of
the State at large as well as of the CITY, and the
protection of their own constituents against the
aggressive and fraudulent preponderance of the
worst portion of our population in all public
questions, they will fall far short of consumma-
ting that high and commendabe purpose. if
they stop where they are. If they desire to
restrain our voting population within the limits
which the Constitution and laws have assigned to
its influence, they will leave their work but half
done, should they allow the Registry law, which
is before the House of Delegates, to be lost by
their neglect or apathy, amid the confusion and
complications of the last moments of the session.
If they desire, by proper administration of the
laws to punish crime and strike terror TO its per
petratOrs, so that the prosperity and good name
of the State-Metropolis and of the State along
with it, shall no longer be trampled under
foot by violence and outrage-they will find their
good intentions thwarted hopelessy and alto
gether, unless they purge the Criminal Court by
the expulsion of its unworthy Judge, and re-estab-
fish the purity of the jury-box by the adoption of
the Jdry-law, which was reported fortnight ago
by the Chairman of the Judicial Committee in the
House. We are aware that the calls of the city
upon the time and labors of the Legislature have
been numerous and engrossng. Weare aware that
there is mass of business before them, local and
of other sorts, which is becoming more and more
unmanageable, day by day. We know that there
are outside pressures and lobbyings-and all
kinds Of illegtimate measures and private specula-
tions-which are adding to the difficulties with
which members are necessarily surrounded during
brief and crowded session. But STILL the things
yet remaining to be done are absolutely essential
to the successful working of what has been done
already. 1t is but little worth while for us to
have laws and executive officers, unless we have iu.
dicial purity, fidelity and efficiency Also With
Judge STUMP on the Bench, and our present sys,
tenn Of Grand and Petit JureS in operation, Police
laws must be comparatively Intellectual, and Elec-
ton laws to a great extent imperative. To allow
such things to remain as they are, is to grant
legislative nolle prOsequi to evil-doers now and
henceforward Two years must elapse
before another Legislature can meet A two
years longer dominion of Judge STUMP and Mr..
WHITNEY must therefore be the result Of allowing
the measures to which we refer to stop unenacted.
Can the members of the Legislature look this fact
in the face and halt where they are We most
earnestly call upon them not to do such an injus-
tice to themselves and their constituents, and to u.s.
We respectfully invite the attention of the Hon.
Mr.. GoLDsBoRoUGH in the Senate, and the Hon.
Messrs. GORDON and FREANER in the House, to
the interests which are at stake in their hands, as
Chairmen of the Committees to which the matters
alluded to have been confded. These gentlemen
have already entitled themselves TO the profound
Acknowledgements of our citizens for their labors
and services in our behalf. Will they not COM
plee obligations, and crown their own deserts,
by giving the fnishing-stroke to their good work