The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-07-03
MARYLAND LEGISLATURE.


COF. o. TIE DdI. american.
A calm and attentive retrospect of the
Legislatures of Maryland, in times gone by,
would probably prove highly interesting
and profitable to the searchers after truth.
Surely no more propitious time than the
present could be chosen to institute COM
parison between the affairs that were and
the actions, or rather the non-action, of
late date. From 1776 to 1886 our State
Legislature would, in point of ability, hon
esty and dignity of character, compare fav
orably with the Congress of the United
States in it's palmy days. During this
eventful period Baltimore city sent two
delegates and one Senator to the Legisla-
ture. She now sends eighteen delegates
and three Senators, possessing, probably,
less of the requisite qualification of legisla-
tors than those representing the small coun-
ties.
Notwithstanding the obvious degeneracy
that is fast closing around us, it is some
consolation to dwell, at least for moment,
on the glorious record of Maryland, when
intellectual ability and manly honesty were
not considered lost virtues; when the selec
ton of the personnel for Office of trust and
confidence was directed by individual fit
ness, and not by positive untitness; when
independence of thought and action were
esteemed laudable, and not disqualified
ton in an aspirant for official stations;
when, in a word, the trusted, good citizen
was sought for, because the unbiased pub
lie sentiment pointed him out as the suita-
BILE representative of its views and interest.
1t is not, however, altogether wise or
proper to look alone upon the gloom and
political decay around us. 1t would be
Al. H., 81 To
them from our view, and gaze upon and
contemplate the bright record which his
tory has truthfully made.
Our last Legislature was. in some re-
spccts, remarkable body, having no pre-
cedent for many of its actions. 1t would
seem there was not one man in the Legisla-
ture capable of preparing the "revenue
bills"
Not only was this Legislature selected
as it appears, to obey the Instructions of
its masters, rather than originate any thing
themselves. ignorant of the most ordinary
matters of legislative procedure, but it was
meek and shameless enough to go beyond
the sphere of its own membership and en-
ploy the services of one supposed to be
capable Of performing the work which COM
mon decency and the smallest modicum of
self-respect should have induced these con
fessed ineficients to make the effort to per-
form; duty which all other precedent leg
islative bodies have done foR themselves.
1t is true, they may have failed, but the
failure could not have been more signal
than the abortive attempts of the gentle
man called to their assistance.
Our last so-called Legislature was not
only utterly unfit to be where they were,
but in despair and shame they admitted
their unworthiness by offering the Comp
troller of the State, then in office, twenty
five hundred dollars e, 500 to prepare the
revenue bill for them, and he obligingly
consented to undertake the work for that
sum. This business. I confidently assert,
has no parallel in the legislative annals of
this country. A parcel of ignorant, pre-
sumptuous persons, picked up more be-
cause of their obscurity and willingness to
execute the orders of their superiors, are
sent mot elected) to the State House at
Annapolis to disgrace the high calling OF
true Maryland legislators.
Well, the Comptroller having consented
to prepare this bill for So, 800, did present
something which he called a revenue bill,
and it passed both Houses and received the
signature of the distinguished gentleman
occupying the Executive Chair of Mary
land.
When however, it was attempted to be
executed, it was found to be radically de
fective. In fact, nothing could be done
with this joint production of so-caled leg,
islators and the Comptroller of the State
he attempting to prepare the bill, and they,
the aforesaid legislators going through the
empty form of voting yea when hidden
to do SO.
The bill, having been shown to the mop.
| Nd Lot IN
statute book. 1t is the first, and trust ii
will be the last, of that peculiar character
| to blur the legislation of the State.
| In speaking Of this act of 1874 Mr. Jus
tice Bartol says, in 4Oth Md, p. 2S7, that
.'the act is long one, consisting of thirty
six sections, containing many complex pro-
visions, and requiring in its preparation
considerable care and skill. Either from
haste or inadvertence in its preparation, Oh
carelessness in its engrossment, it is full OF
| imperfections; some of the sections are in
complete, some of them are unintelligible,
and many of its provisions are contradic-
tory with one another Such is the worth
less production, pronounced by the highest
| Court in the State to be "full of imperfec.
tions" and altogether unintelligible."
So much for the last Legislature. Will
the next be better? fear not. There is
nothing in the nominations, thus far made,
to encourage hope.
But this communication is more particu
LARRY intended to point public attention tc
the Comptroller, who is a candidate foi
re election. Are the good people of the
State prepared to endorse his reprehensi-
bic, his scandalous conduct? Co-officials
assuming the attitude of employer and en-
ployee have no warrant or precedent any
where in this broad land save and except
at Maryland's Capital, once bearing the
proud distinction" the Athens of Amer
| ca."
Verify, how the mighty hath fallen, " fall
| len from her high estate"