New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-13
TAXES IN MARYLAND.
A CONVENTION TO DISCUSS THEM.


DCCED.
BALTIMORE, Aug. 1.-THE convention of
taxpayers Of this Stale the Temperance Temple
az IL a. to-day.
Mr.. william N. Merrick OF Howard. chairman OF the
Executive Committee Of the taxpayers meeting OF that
county. called the convention TO order II was found
that nine counties were represented, among them the
largest taxpaying counties OF the State-Baltimore
County Frederick. Anne Arundel, Howard Hartford
and MONTGOMERY The delegates were some Of arg-
est farmers and taxpayers In respective counties
On calling the convention to order Judge Merrck said
that this conference had partisan purpose IL
not called TO form a political party, nor combine
Tor or against either OF the distinctive parties within
the state The object the redress OF and
reuef from the burdens OF taxation which have
muated upon the citizens After audng the school,
state aud county taxes and insisting that the levy for
the state and county tax could be much reduced by
proper ana more economical administration OF public
Affairs Judge Merrick said that t is local county
alton which is the most and burdensome. In
Howard, the county levy for the year
is 81 cents the 800, which added to
the 1sa Of State tax makes the direct levy
79a. cents the 800, which is a heavy burden
on the farmers OF that county. The local taxes, he
said are IN the peoples control They had the right
say how much should be appropriated Tor roads, bridges
ana pauperS. Judge Merrck urged that there should
be good men in office, and said TOIget good OF
high character and intelligence to County Com
missioner is piece OF good fortune In any county
II we would build up State, shall best DO IL by
building uD the counties. The Board Of Commissioners
appointed by Governor TIden, Of NewYork, composed
OF eminent men, at the head OF which Mr. Eyarts.
a distinguished jurist and able statesman, known to
you all, making report to the Legislature in their dis
cussion Of municipal reform. dec above all local
Affairs should separated possible from State
and National politics."
judge Merrick was chosen president OF the conven-
tion number Of resolutions offered. They al
referred a committee consisting OF Charles Albert,
Montgomery County, Thomas Gather, OF Howard
Mrjor A. ~ Hancock, Of Hartford; David Fowler, OF
Baltimore County; DR.. Thomas Welsh, Of Anne Arun-
del; IT. W CIagett, OF Prince Geurge's John II.
Mitchell Of Charles; and A. d. O'Lrary, of Frederick
The convention took recess until p. m. On reas-
sembhag the committee reported the following resou-
tons:
Reoired That loca selfgovernment being the eermi
principle OF which free institutions Of the Anglo
type nave grown It's spirit should be 0stered and
laws should be So framed As to vest as much as possible
OF adm uuve duty IN the counties, and whenever
practicable in the yet smaller divisions Of the body
IL rhatit is the duty OF al good citizens 70 excite
pride IN respective cOUutCs and To- all
means 10 elevate the standard OF our Local offices so that
DO man. however exalted, snail teel IL beneath MS Dig
nifty 20 shme w the Obligation Of watching over end
taking counsel with his ieuOw-ctzens about the public
/ a8aic- OF bis county
IN All unnecessary and supernu0us offices should be
abolished nj the salaries aud Zee, or others De reduced
ami restricted bylaw. IN yl.w OF the present. nigh puf-
I
injustice hardship 10 officials and with great advan-
" T next legislature Of Maryland should IN def
ereuce that spirit OF economy winch thoroughly
peryades the popular mind, and winch the times 50
secure necessary reforms aud reduce tue expenditures
OF fle public money 10 sucA degree that the outlay
/ shall be Commensurate with the services rendered
V. Taat 80 flr rs the reform and retrenchmert Of
purely local expenditure 10 the ectFe counties are
concerned this Convention RENTS them 10 tne Judgment
OF tine cizens Of the several counties, bchevn- that
] HH done "A al lfI-
fhuk very materially reduced I'm every county IN the
state IN many counties We are sal'nrd That more IMAM
10 per Uf the annual eXueuse ue saved t more
tfrenr impartial county officers are selec ed.
Nj Tusi -he Legislature bias 10 IN It's over to save
large OF money every year rnI th' current revenue
OF Inc Dy the passage OF laws % enforce more
r.d compliance with the requirements u tue Consttu-
lion OF 5Iarvani re ang 20 5neus, clerks OF Courts,
Registers OF Wills aud al other OH whose pay on
cGUeusatIon is derived from gDneys coming In
their hands for the d5cla of their officials uuues,
in any way growing ont OK connected With their OH
| of ricle g. sections So ana 45 OF the Constitution
VII That the law relating 20 inc Inspection OF Uobaeco
should repealed, 20 relieve me producers ana tur
site oil what hes become burden 10 The producer and
| a reprUacn 10 the State. ,-
! VIII That tue puolc school laws OF Maryland are
capable OF great Improvement aud Should oe amended.
luce tue exp nses OF tne courts throughout state.
when increased IA the last few years 10 such large
proportions 10 add materially TO DurdensOne tax
x. That provision ought 10 be made bv law for the
speedy trial petty blenders before Justices OF the
P.ce wtn the right OF appeal 10 thr Circuit Court
X. That committee OF ono from each county here
r.pIrsrued-tue president OF the Convention 10 be
chairman-De appointed by the char 10 prepare and
ure-eur fo the Legislature statement of such offices
gut TO be aDu ,ued OF such expenditures ought 10
be curt -d Of such salaries ought CD DE reduced or
.ucl ameudn MS OF law Will insure a greater vgI
tUce 90 those VINO have the supervision II public eA-
prudituIes.
The resolutions were read and adopted seriatim.
resolution offered by Dir. Hal0wel, OF Montgomery,
that any county desiring vote on local option" and
decide by a direct vote OF the people whether or not
lauor shall be sod in IT. limits, was adopted.
Frederick j. Nelson OF Frederick County, and Judge
VIM H. Tuck, OF Anne Arundel, by request addressed
the convention.
resolution was adopted urging the taxpayers Of the
several counties 10 assemble IN convention and adopt
measures 10 carry into effect the proposition adopted by
the meeting.
The Convention then adjourned subject 20 call