The Democratic advocate., 1876-01-15

Having 20 sufficient space orthis yolu-
minous document We present our readers
with d brief abstract Of !, on the fourth
page Of this issue, and also an abstract Of
the Compiroller's Report. These docu-
menis are always important, setting forth
as they DO, the details Of the workings Of
our State government, and win be read
carefully by al persons seeking an intelli-
gent understanding Of the same.
The Governor very properly urges upon
the attention Of the Legislature several
reforinatory measures, but some Of his
suggestions 10 connection with them are,
in cgN estimation, open to objection, For
instance, he recommends that the Judges
Of the Courts be required, on petition, to
appoint certain number Of inspectors Of
election from both political parties, where
fraud is apprehended. The duties of the
Judiciary should be Of strictly judicial
character, not executive, and as far re-
moved from party politics as possible
The Judiciary has enough to do in its own
legitimate sphere, without having imposed
upon it functions which properly pertain
to the Executive. 1t is already charged
with the exercise Of certain duties Of an
appointiye character, of which it might
well be relieved. Certainly it should not
be burdened with additional duties of a
similar character, when such duties prop
crly belong to another department Of the
government
The suggestion in regard to the appoint
ment Of a Superintendent Of Public Print
ing to reside at Annapolis, with salary Of
$1,000, is another which is open to objec.
tion. The Governor ought also to have
suggested that such superintendent should
be single man, unencumbered by a
family how else could be be expected to
live in the expensive city of Annapolis on
salary Of $1,000. But why should he be
required to reside in Annapolis? His
Excellency does not give his reasons for
such suggestion. Why should the Su-
perintendent Of Printing reside at Aunap-
Oils or Baltimore, any more than the
Attorney General, the Judges Of the
Court Of Appeals, the Treasurer, or any
other official, who may reside at any othsr
point or place? There is no reason for it,
whatever, unless it be proper to ccnfer
upon the residents Of those cities privi-
leges and immunities not enjoyed by the
less favored residents of other portions Of
the State. The Superintendent Of Print
ing could discharge the duties Of his office
as well with bis family in Garrett or Wor-
cester counties, as if it were ia the G pital
Of the State.
The bill which was voted down by the
House Of Delegates at the session Of 1874,
contemplated just such an officer as the
Governor has suggested, except that he
was styled clerk instead of superintendent.
The suggestion Of the Governor, therefore,
is nothing new on that point. His appre-
citation Of the worth Of such an officer aud
of the money he would be likely to save
to the State, certainly cannot be estimated
by the meagre salary he would allow him,
while compelling him to reside at the one
or ths other Of our chief cities, salary
out Of all proportion to that Of any other
Official Of equal importance in the employ.
ment Of the State, and even less than an
expert compositor can earn at case. The
salary would be quite sufficient, however,
with the requirement as to residence omit
ted from the act creating the office.