The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-02-14
Managers Dread.
IRON the sunday American. ]

managers who believe themselves
charged with the control of the af-
fairs of State, lest that troublesome
minority composing the opposition
wing of the Democratic party should
form combination with the Repub.
licans in the General Assembly, and
in this manner carry to successful
issue some of the reform measures
which during the campaign were
promised by the Democratic leaders,
but which now they have not the
slightestidea of fulfilling. The events
of the past month showed what the
opposition, if properly organized, can
accomplish by earnest work and
proper regard for the wants of the
people; for. whatever the managers
may pretend in their public utteran-
ces, the action ip the legislature of
those whom they control leaves no
room for doubt that they are bent
on carrying out only such reforms as
by which they will not be affected.
Gov. Hamilton's position in not con-
sulting the leaders in regard to some
of his leading appointments has
given the latter an excellent oppor-
tunity to become reformers to the
extent of abolishing such Offices to
which they are unable to have APP
pointed those of their favorites to
whom these offices We're promised
during the campaign. They will go
thus far, but no farther. Quite a
number of them think that, mas
much as the loaves and fishes will
not he distributed among their adhe-
rents, it would be best to reduce the
number of appointments and limit
Gov. Hamilton in the dispensing of
his patronage. Had the Governor
advised with the managers these re-
form sentiments would never have
found a place within their breasts.
An effort is being made, however, to
establish cordial relations between
the Gove nor and the managers, but
much depends upon the price which
the latter place upon the value of
maintaining such relations. The
friends of the Governor say that he
has made no bargains, and does not
propose to make any, and that he
will follow his own judgment in the
matter of appointments. This APP
pears to be the universal sentiment
at present. 1t is amusing to notice
the furry and excitement created by
the introduction of every measure
tending to the exposure of old abuses
and desire to remedy them. Those
in sympathy with the leaders have
been loud in their opposition to ev-
cry measure of this kind, but they
have not always been successful in
their opposition. They did succeed
twice, when the question of sustain
ing the decision of the Speaker was
involved but they were signally de-
feated in their opposition to a reso-
luton calling on the Comptroller for
an itemized account of expenditures
for the publication of laws in news
papers since 1874, and also in an or.
der for statement as to the number
of officers employed in the House.
The opposition, therefore, is not at
discouraged, and proposes, if not
checked by gag law, to keep on, and
the Republicans, who have already
introduced measures for the abolition
of the offices of State tax commits
sioner and superintendent of tele-
graph, are aiding them in their eff
forts.
The important measures so far in
troduced, to change existing laws in
public matters, consist of the bill to
abolish the offices of tax commission
err and State superintendent of tele-
graphs, to put stop to the custom
Of publishing laws in newspapers ia
vored by the powers that be, to re-
peal the law for the compulsory in
spectiOn of tobacco, and to reduce
the number of fish commissioners
from two to one. Nota word has yet
been SAID in regard to a reduction of
salaries of State officials. though the
managers, before the election, stated
that Immediately after the meeting
of the legislature steps would be
taken for an investigation into the
number and salaries of officials in
the various State institutions, and
that steps would be taken for re-
duction in their number and sala.
ries. Nothing has as vet been heard
from the leaders on this subject. The
reform measures so far introduced
have not emenated from the mana
gers, but have met with opposition
from their supporters. 1t is under
stood that bills will be introduced in
short time for the abolition of the
cattle scales and the leasing Of to5ac-
60 warehouses, The discussion on the