Montgomery County sentinel., 1879-03-28
THE NETT LEGISLATURE.

II will be seen by our local columns that
the proposed non-party convention for the
discussion of county matters will be held
about the goth of May. The next General
Assembly will have to contend with the most
delicate and difficult questions of reform
Another noteworthy feature of the present
time is the extensive diversity Of public opin-
ion upon changes in the State-government
that will most effectively and with least pos
sible clipping Of the scale of government ac-
complish relief to the taxpayer and still re-
tain to them thorough and efficient system
Of laws. Our object in stating the above is
TO point the Democratic party TO two very
evident facts, OF which it should be keenly
gware ;u making its nomination next FALL
The people of this county and the State gen
orally are determined TO exert desperate
energy to lessen taxes. The aim aud life OF
Democracy is the benefit Of the people, and
the duty OF The party is to nominate its best
men for the Legislature. There will be count
less schemes Of retrenchment presented to that
body, and. as is usual, some will be wise and
others foolish, some will look to retrenchment
wiiho-t any serious crippling of good gov
erument, whilst Others will tend only to a
probable saving OF money in one place while
all good effects will be lost in q clumsy, inef-
6cisnt and very defective machinery. To
avoid what may be dangerous in such state
Of affairs and to utilize what may be bene6ci-
al 1t is vital duty for the party 10 nominate
It's best and ablest men. To meet successfully
the issues and propositions that will arise we
need men Of broad and acurale judgment, pos
sessing familiarity with the inlrcacies of law
making, and who have experience and the fac
ulty of neat discrimination in the next Legis-
lature. But in the effort to approach as near
ly as possible to this standard of men to rep
resent US patience should be exercised. IF al
the primaries impatience should spring up
among the friends of any candidate 1t would
result In bitter factionalism. Such is mighty
bindrance to the policy Of any party, and al
thosgh at first the opposition may seem that
Of principle, it soon desceuds into spite and
downright mulishness.
Though the present cry for reform springs
from q deep, conscientious and firmly seated
desire 70. reief,yet there is much in the move
ment that may be likened 10 many OF chose
popular waves that have of late sprung up
over the political sea- There is much of wild
impulse and fanaticism mixed with the good
work. II would be far better to have contin-
aed the present burdensome system than to
be oppressed with the insuificiency, insecurity
and danger of a weaker and more imperfect
machinery. We want our best and ablest
men in the Legislature to push forward wise
reforms and TO protect Us from whatever of
harm may arise and threaten. If the mem
bers Of the party-reputed leaders, would-be
leaders, followers, all-would be unselish
and brave enough for once TO recognize the
higher importance Of the good of the State
over their individual political ambition there
would be but little difficulty in meeting the
easergese- Of tho limo. Mag - 90 hapPsn