The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-10-11

PREVENTION of intelligent and honorable citi-
zens of the Democratic Conservative party,
such reforms of election and registry laws
as will secure the purity of the elective fran
chiSe."
The meeting adopted resolutions defend
ing the action Of the party at the election,
but at the same time expressing the opinion
that Il new and complete registration of
voters was necessary to effectuaiy guard
the elective franchise from amy species of
fraud. To carry this into effect committee
was appointed TO prepare and present TO the
Legislature at its next session the draft OF Il
law providing for new registration. But,
although this promise OF reform was thus
held out, and although Mr.. McLane has
since been honored with Il seat in the Senate
of our State, none of the promised reforms
have been realized, and their necessity is
conceded by the insertion in the Democratic
platform of this year of fresh promise of
the same reforms. | have thus given Il
brief history of the Democratic record OF
1875 from Democratic authorities, and also
their promise of amendment by party action.
That none of the latter were kept, | have
also shown.
This, then, is the result of prolniycl re-
form within the party lines: Tayation has;
increased at a fearful rate;tii registration
laws still promote, insts1d of prevent, fraud
elecfIoHs both primary and general, are yet
mockery; and 'rings" are still every
where triumphant. In every county the
taxpayers are now, rs then, crying aloud
for relief from their burdens, and Independ-
ent Democrats in this city, sick of their
party management, or rather miSmanage-
msnt, have been making efforts at reform
but within their party lines. They have
arraigned the extravaganza Of their party
i'll terms rs just as they are severe. They
have started out to accomplish part only
OF that OF which they We're fraudulently de-
prlved. They are seeking for municipal re-
.fornt cttOut State rcforH. They cannot
obtain it. The two are inseparable, and
must come together.
The city is so large Il part of the State,
contains so much of its population, and
pays SO great a proportion of its taxes that
the political interests of both are identical;
and If We have positive reform it must come
from the State at large.
But let us see what our Democratic friends
have to say about the present state of affairs
i'll the city, and, by way of parenthesiS, al
low me to say that much of their complaint
is as applicable to many of the Democratic
counties of the State us to the cty. Mr..
Gill, i'll his address at the meeting of the
independents, September 10th, after refer
ring to the fraudulent manner i'll which
primary elections are conducted, uses the
following strong and pertinent language in
regard to the financial condition of tho city
and the burdens imposed upon the tax
payers.
"When the Constitution of 1867 was
adopted the strongest pledges were given TO
insure an intire change i'll the management
of State and city matters, especially as to
the reduction Of public debts and taxation.
Their pledges have not been redeemed, and
in relation to our city government there has
been great increase of debt, expenditures
and taxation. We have arrived ut the point
in the history of Baltimore when the whole
policy of city tinancieS must be changed, or
we must make up our minds to witness the
entire loss of all we have in the way Of
property in this city. In 1867 the city debt
amounted to nearly So, coo, 900 and since
then has been increased to about S34, 600, 600,
and is still on the increase. The city tax in
1867 was 1T the rate of 81 81, and the taxable
property amounted to nearly Sl40, 900, 900.
Since then, while the basis has arisen to
about $3.50, 900 900, the rate of taxation has
increased to $3.50, and while it has been
decreased this year TO Sl.50, it is well known
that the sinking fund has been depleted, and
the existing high rate of assessment has not
been decreased. In many instances prop
erty will not when sold approximate the
assessment thereof. After paying taxes and
expenses on property but little is left to the
property holder. a radical change in the
mode of governing our city must be made.
There has been Il large increase in our city
expenditures in the last twelve years, far
beyond the increase in our population. If
the same increase shall tax l,-Iz--------~>t--c