The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-09-18
MIR. JONES, ADDRESS.


We publish the full text of Mr.. W. J.
Jones' address to the Republican State
Convention at Westminster last week,
sketch of which appeared in our last issue.
The address is terrible arraignment of
the msdeings of the Democrat party since
it has been in power in the State of Mary
land. The Democrat threatens to overhaul
the statement of Mr.. Jones in it's issue this
week, and point out its falsehoods and mis-
statements, and we feel anxious to learn
how a record of such facts is TO be got
over, and have waited with Impotence for
that ingenious and able expose. The Demo-
crdt is remarkable for its new science in
politics, religion and morals, and under its
new process of reasoning Mr.. Jones figures
are threatened with as speedy dissolution
as snow beneath July sun. We will see.
We have published many more just such
ugly statements which will require the
touch of that magic ura rod, as we'll as
Mr.. Jones speech:
Gentlemen Of tile Contention:
uCu letG my QuleI nOluc duu tue
quiet pursuit of my business, it was with
no thought that should be called to this
position, and while thank you sincerely
for the honor you have done me, l assure
you it is responsive to no desire or expecta-
ton of mine expressed or even secretly
entertained.
We have met, gentlemen, at a most i'm
portant period in the history of our State,
with her finances in a condition which may
we'll excite our alarm and occasion in the
most Indifferent of us a feeling of painful
solicitude.
On looking about US what do we seq
In 1864 the State tax was reduced to five
cents on the one hundred dollars. Being
a member of the Legislature in that year,
and Chairman of the Ways and Means, it
was my duty to make careful examination
Of the financial condition of the State, and
after the most thoughtful consideration and
calling in consultation a number of able
and experienced men, /, and those who
acted with me, were perfectly satisfied
that this light tax was abundantly suffi-
cient, with the other revenues, to meet all
expenses of the government, pay the inter-
est on the State debt and provide for the
redemption of the principal at rate quite
as rapid as it could be secured without
buying it at premium.
To meet the Defence Loan, authorized
at that session, we levied a tax of ten cents
on the hundred dollars. The latter was
believed to be merely temporary measure
We we're satisfied that another year would
certainly end the Rebellion, and that the
amount required for bounties (Which were
confined to men snlisting prior to an early
fixed date) would not be great. How is it
to-day The people are oppressed by
direct tax of over twenty cents on the
hundred dollars, and the Defence Loan,
which was adopted merely as a War meas
ure and only to continue short time, is
still kept up and increased. To meet the
expenses of the government Mr.. Woolford
is compelled to resort to his printing
presses, and during the years 1878 and IA
has issued over three hundred thousand
dolars* of the Defence Loan, and vet this
distinguished Maryland financier is now
renominated by the Ring for a fourth term.
While this is the state of our material
prosperity the fair name of our old State
has not escaped reproach. There was a
time fifteen or twenty years ago when it
was said, "No use to take money to Anna
polls. Some little may be useful for cham
paign or terrepins, but beyond this it is
worse than useless" Now it is said, "The
Ring lobby which surrounds the legislative
halls and holds high carnival in the Speak
er's room, demands fifteen per cent for
even the appropriations for charitable insti-
buttons" And this very Ring, whose cor
rupt practices have besmirched the bright
honor of Maryland, are the men who con-
troll nominations, who, by their trickery
and fraud, have beaten down the voice of
the vast majority of the Democrats in this
State, have strangled the honest expression
6 g., G.,
Carroll, their candidate, upon an unwilling
and insulted party.
Looking back in the past we find the
cost of session of the Legislature run
ming from fifty to seventy i've thousand,
and once during the war to about eighty
four or lightweight thousand dollars, but
the Comptroller reports the expenses of
the last session at over one hundred and
ninety thousand dollars.
| Now, in view of this deplorable condition
Of affairs what is our duty, not as partisanS,
but as patriots; not as politicians, but as
men who love our State, jealous of her
honor and desiring her material prosperity i?
Is it to wrap our party coats tight about us
and declare that come what may we will
stand by the unity Of our party; or shall
we, seeing the uprising of great masses of
the people without regard to party seeking
only pure government LOT our state, de-
clare our purpose to cast aside party and
strike hands with any man who honestly
desires to see upright men at the head of
affairs, who honestly longs for the restora-
ton of the fair name of the State, and who
honestly purposes to maintain her integrity
and material prosperity. For my own part
to secure these ends | am willing to vote
for any man whether Republican or Demo-
crat.
And now I beseech you, gentlemen of
the Convention, let us cast aside all narrow
party feelings, and in this centennial year
of our national liberties when we are hold
ing out our hands and greeting each other
with words of brotherly affection, notwith-
standing party differences, let us proclaim
our willingness, nay more, our anxiety to
join hands with all men of all parties who
are honestly anxious to lift the State from
the slough of despond into which she has
fallen.
Thanking you again for the compliment
you have paid me, l am now ready to pro-
coed with the business before the Conven-
ton.