The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-01-31
Correspondence baltimore County L'aioR.
TO THE LEGISLATURE OF MARYLAND.
No. Y.

~ AAA@ A11Ao@A O6n VI AfktLANO'
No. V.
l order TO have good, economical government
three things arc necessary. ist. There must be
good laws adapted TO the practical wants of the
people, I'd. There must be officials 10 execute
them who arc favorable TO tho good morals and
economy these laws arc designed 10 innururatc
and who have the ste ling moral courage 10 do the
best for the people that the laws will permit 3D.
There must be public sentiment behind the laws
and those who execute them favoring their rigid
execution. When community has these three
conditions complied with II !. certain that com-
munity IL about as well governed as II can be- A
keen observer Of the current sentiment for n num-
bar Of years past has dscoy cred that there il sad
lack Of these essentials 20 good government In our
midst-a lsthargic indifference to tho public vel.
fare that 10 by no means encouraging 20 the phi.
lanthropist and patriot who work and pray for
that return Of the days when stern personal integ
rity characterized the course Of those who hell
positions Of public confidence aud trust.
II IL, however, gratifying to reflect that the op.
erations Of the Tax payers organ instituted
last year put in motion n sentiment aud n work
which. " followed up with and cnergctically per.
sisted in, cannot fail 10 work u very material rev
oluiion in the minds Of ruled aud ruler. voter,
electors and elected for the better The writer has
not had the opportunity Of knowing just what the
Tax payers who have been In session n number Of
times recently have prepared In the way of laws
for submission 20 the Legislature but IL hight be
suggested that the attempt 60 have the Legislature
pass any law which is impraciicable will have the
effect Of discountihg very largely the good which
their organization may accomplish.
The papers, however, give very cheering cvi.
dcnces that Gov. Hamilton has some excellent
suggestions TO make TO the Legislature. and IL IL
TO bo hoped that his popularity and his influence
with the Legislature may be more potent than the
inanipulations and dctations Of the Ring that has
50 long and 50 corruptly prostitutcd the public
service. One II his suggestions 10 the right of the
minority 20 representation In every department Of
| government where IL can be done. This will have
| every Board Of County Commissioners composed
OF both political pariles-the majority party hav
| Ing the majority of tho Borrl and The minority
| party having the minority 81 that Boarl. II can
| be seen ut glance tha, " the principal were en-.
grated upon our sysieH 81 government aud ear
| ricd into every department where there Is more
than one person to discharge the functions Of u
board or committee, thsre could and would be
wrought out many changes ~ our public business
that would tell very materially upon our local aud
state governments. 1.-THE Board Of Public Works
were composed of members Of both political par
ties the canal would never have bccomc the sub
servicnt piece Of political machinery i, has for the
elevation OF ambitious politicians o. stations ma
turc never intended them TO occupy. lf our
School boards were Improved by minority rep.
rcscntation u would not work any dciriincnt 10
the schools or the public service. u the Police
commissioners Board were hdornci by n minority
| approximation there Is more than one conscicn
iious Democrat that feels tina, his party and the
rcpuic Of the city Of baltimore would have been in
| better order to-day. Wherever minority repre-
sentation can be introduced IN administrative 20.
'tions the force OF the political machine. IL not
th"aried completely. Is very largely broken. -
Ana what can DO SAID further IN its behalf IL that
| u has been found TO work well wherever IL has
been instituted. AMI u introduced with u IL j. M"
contemplated that its operation and effect would
| DO different IN Maryland from what IL has else
| where.
| But right hero comes IN again the necessity for
| Constitutional convention. II We want u sue
| cessiuI appliance OF tins principal 20 our state
system u Is impossible to have u made useful II
lett To the shifting within. and political capriccs oi
ench recurring Legislature. IL must be establish
Ell hTinly IN the organic law Of the state. and TO
have this dome u viii require change ia tho
| Contribution And when II il seen that there Is
an urgent need oi change IN the existence Of the
| orphans Courts. reduction OF the number OF
those who are TO coni"se nur brand Inquc.is. a
| change Tor the purpose Of Introducing ani e'iab.
hshins minority representation IN our systcn. the
necessity for Constitutional convention rises 10
the dignity OF demand Then why not pass the
necessary law TO bring that convention into life ?
Last week u was suggested that judicinus
contract system established for the maintenance
Of our prisoners in Jail could not fail Co result
beneheiaIIy. Attention Is now invited to our
aims house on the same line. The county owns \
farm Of - acres % good land. There are people
whose Judgment about such matters i. considered
good. who think very large portion Of wha; i.