The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-10-25


These are few of the many private, and
mostly, if not exclusively, sectarian insti-
buttons which the Legislature, commencing
with 1867 and continuing up to 1871 have
lavished the peoples money upon without
stint. We have given the amount of but
one appropriation; greater or less sums for
them and similar purposes, were appropri
ated out of the treasury every year, till
1872, which Legislature becoming alarmed
by the dissatisfaction which had begun to
spread widely, were more restricted in APP
propriating to these " charitable " objects.
And although the war was ended nine
years ago. and all bounty laws repealed by
the Republican party before they handed
over the State archives to their successors,
the Bounty law was speedily enacted, and
vast sums have been yearly expended I'M
der this head, which go into the hands of
agents, under pretence of paying bounty
to volunteers" bounty to former owners
of slaves" "bounty to former slaves"
etc. In 1872, $40, 100 was drawn from the
treasury under these heads, and in 1871,
81, $50; in 1870, $233, 412; in 1868, $780,
Isl, and thus every year the bounty agents
find fat thing at the taxpayers cost
"Southern Relief Fund " is another ave-
nue. to the treasury, which was the taking
out in 1867 or 8, of $4,000 and giving it
away to friends of certain parties who hap
pened to have lost by investing in the
Confederacy. The taxpayers have
been paying this "steal" back into the
taeasury every year since. Pensions"
too, is another toll gate by which the
thieves enter the treasury. $57, 1913 was
taken out of the treasury by that gate last
year. In 1868, $104, $40; in 1869, Sis, $50;
in 1870, $s9, 600; in 1871, $67, $50. Total,
$437, 1913. "Militia " is another avenue by
which the treasury is plundered. $22, 1873
were taken out by that door in 1872,
and every year more or less has been drawn
on the same warrant. The annual ex-
penditure for militia by the Republican
party was about $4,000 or $4,000. The
party now in power opposed the appro-
priation of every cent to sustain the
government in time of need, but when the
danger is over they appropriate hundreds
of thousands to play soldier. In 1869,
$136, 472 was stolen from the treasury on
Militia drafts. In 1868, $222, 145; and SO
the money goes. Every body knows that
these expenditures are of no benefit, and
go to enrich idle hangers on at the treasury.
Point Lookout Cemetery" and the
Frederick Memorial Association - re-
ceive appropriations from the treasury
every year. In 1872 one received $500 and
the other $500. Both these institutions
were created by appropriations in 1868 or
8 from the treasury of $4,000 for the latter
and $4,000 for the former. They are
cemeteries where the rebel soldiers were
buried. Grain weighing in Baltimore city
is another avenue by which the treasury is
tapped yearly. If properly conducted
revenue might be derived to the State from
that source. Last year, however, the State
paid the officers $4,000 and received for
grain inspection $S,s54; paying institu-
ton
Last year the Maryland judiciary cost
the State $91, 1854; under the Republican
constitution of 1864 the Judiciary of the
State cost $G0,343 in 1866; and the last
Legislature cost $3.50, AIS, which is more
than any previous Legislature of the State
has cost since the organization of its gov
eminent.
We have gathered together without any
attempt at classification, few of the many
items of expenditure by which the Demo-
cratic party go on from year to year, in a
course of unblushing robbery of the State
treasury, by system Of appropriations
which rivals Tweed and his associates;
while it is notorious that Baltimore is rob-
bed by ring in the most open and bare
faced manner. Millions have been voted
by the City to build the City Hall; to clear
ont the Basin; to straighten Jones' Falls;
to increase the water supply. None of
these public works have ever been begun
except the City Hall, and there is not
dollar in the treasury, of all the vast sums
that have been appropriated. And yet in
the face of these undeniaLle statements