Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-12-24

.cial--Vhse-we-sav1 IS the result OF the CEN
tralizing doctrines of the Republican party
which if not checked must inevitably lead
to imperialism.
Tobacco Inspections Again.
Elsewhere we publish the result of the
proceedings of the conference between the
committee Of the State Grange and COM
mittee of merchants on this subject. We
think the recommendations of this joint
conference eminently conservative and
well calculated to challenge appreciation.
We have heretofore said that we believe
that any restrictions placed by law upon
trade is calculated to injure instead of
benefitting parties interested therein
Trade should be left free and untrammel-
led and should simply be matter Of barter
between buyer and seller. This, as an alb
stract proposition, we take it, no one will
deny. But there are circumstances which
justify measurably the interference of the
Government. Whether tobacco presents
one of these exceptions to the rule we will
not be so presumptious as to positively
deny. Our opinion is that it does not,
but then we do not claim infallibility on
this or any other subject. We believe
that the true interests of both seller and
buyer would be promoted by removing
the restrictions of State inspections and
leaving it entirely to private hands. Our
correspondent from Bryantown, of last
week, thinks differently. He is an intel
ligent farmer in whose judgment we have
much confidence, and therefore express
our opinion with diffidence. But, who
eyer may be right about this matter, there
can be no doubt that unless State inspec-
tions are properly conducted by compe-
tent and impartial men they cannot and
will not accomplish the beneficial objects
claimed for them by their advocates
Now what We have said, we repeat with
emphasis: That inspectors are appoint
ed, not because oftheir efficiency or quail
fications as such, but because of political
considerations. Sometimes it turns out
that the officers thus appointed are good
men, and discharge their duties faithfully
and conscientiously. But these consti-
tute the exceptions. And this condition
will exist we fear as long as the appoint
ing power is political one. Hence, we
say, that unless these appointments can be
removed from the sphere of politics the
system will fail in the future, as in the
past, to accomplish the purpose for which
it was organized.
We have also said, that whilst the sys-
tenn was inefficient it was uselessly and
extravagantly expensive, and We produced
some facts and figures to prove the cor
rectness of our assertions, and our respect
ed correspondent of last week, "Subscri-
ber,' asks US if the TINES has nothing bet
ter to do than to furnish arguments to
break down this system of public inspec-
ton and thereby injure the planters Yet
the report of the committee of the State
Grange alleges that the present system in
fiicts upon the planting interest an annual
loss of at least $27O,OOO, Won't our friend
rise to ask that committee if they have no
thing better to do than to furnish such ar
|guments in favor of the obliteration of the
present State system7 But enough of this
What we want to say is that the recon-
mendation of tho conference committee
impresses US most favorably, because of
its eminently conservative tone. 1t is just
such paper as we should have expected
from the clear heads and sound judgments
|of the two sensible men of this county,
who were placed on the committee by the
Changers. Those who know Mr.. Hugh
Mitchell and DR.. Sam. A. Mudd know
that the interests of the planters we're in
hands of men " hu wou1
consideration of the subject Of tnk@0
berations an enlarged and liberal compre-
hension. These gentlemen and their
fellow committee men have concluded that
it is best to try the two systems side by
side; that two of the warehouses should
be rented for private inspection, and three
maintained under the present system, in
the hope that that which is the most effec-
tive will ultimately prevail. Whilst this
is hardly fair trial Of tue system of pri-
vate Inspection, because it is not put on
an equality with the State system, yet, in
view of the large interests involved, we
think perhaps it was as much as could be
safely or wisely ventured on. We hope,
therefore, the Legislature will act upon
the sensible and conservative recommen-
dations of this committee and give their
plan fair trial, and whatever may be the
result we shall cheerfully accept it, for we
have no partisanship, or interest in the
matter, further than as a member of the
community in which we live, we desire to
promote its true interests that it NAV
prosper.
A Striking Contrast.
The municipal election in Charleston, South
Carolina, in October last, was conducted by a
board of commissioners carefully chosen, who
had the entire confidence of the public, whilst
in 1873 the municipal election was conducted
by board of commissioners who had not the
confidence of the public, and who were reck-