The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-02-21

institution. The Governor
does not wish il abolished, but suggests the
force be cut down and the salaries reduc
ed. He INDUCES in some fancy regarding
its political power, which would be just as
applicable to the Office Of Governor as to
the oyster police.
The Legislative printing is too grcat in
tho Governors estimation, and be believes
that the publication Of some documents
could be dispensed with and the number
Of copies Of others reduced; but it is quito
probable that the Legislature knows as
much about its requirements as the Cover
nor does, aud will give but little consider
alton to this part of his message. As to
the number Of copies printed, II Mr.. Ham
iltOn knows anything Of printing, and he
should know before he essays to speak on
the subject, he knows that the great cost
in such work as the Legislature requires
is consequent upon the type setting. The
press work and paper are small matters in
comparison to it, aud two hundred copies
Of bill would cost but little more than
fifty. There were one thousand copies OF
his message printed, That number was
not required for the use of the Legisla-
ture, but one thousand copies cost but lit
tic more than two hundred, and the mem
bers win send the extra ones to their con.
stituents, just as they send other dOcu-
ments.
Thirty thousand dollars for publishing
the laws to the people is an immense waste
according to the Governors views, aud he
advocates a repeal Of the acts requiring it,
and observes that "the people and the
State got along in all time without il, be-
fore 1865, and there Is no occasion for il
now Our British ancestors "got along
with dirt floors to their houses and had no
ERE places aud no windows to them. They
sauatted around ere 10 the centre Of the
dirt floor aud the smoke escaped through
an aperture in the roof. Later they "sot
along" without carpets upon their floors,
but made some progress in civilization by
streWing rushes on them. They "got
along many years without the printing
press, but they would not get along with.
out it now. They did without the mari
ner's compass, but would not dispense with
it now. The people and the State ''got
along without steamboats,, railroads, tele-
graphs, but that Is no reason why they
should be laid aside. The people got
along fer many yean without Sabbath
schools, public schools and the thousand
and one institutions for the Improvement
Of mankind, bat is that any reason why
they should be abolished? Because the
people ''got alo1g" without the publication
Of the laws prior to 1865, is no reason why
they should dispense with it new. The
people are obliged to obey the laws, and
how can they be expected to do so if they
are kept in ignorance Of their provisions !?
The Legislative expenses are also re-
garded as too great, and in this the Gov
ernor is correct. The per diem Of the
employees is the same as that Of members,
and reduction ought to be made.
The cutting Of Of appropriations to ag-
rieultural societies Is recommended The
Governor says that these appropriations
cannot be defended upon any sound prin.
eiple. Grant it. Then why did he not
90 furs.aer aud recommend the withholding
of appropriations to colleges and acade-
micss Both are made Upon the same
principle Of benefit to the people. The
one encourages and assists the agricutur.
isi the other encourages asd assists tho
school teacher. The one adds wealth to the
State. and the other increases knowledge
After expressing qualification at the re
peal Of the bounty laws, the Governor
passes to the collection Of taxes, and sug
gesis that each county have but one col
lectOr- This mode Of collecting might b,
somewhat cheaper, but the State and count,
would lose revenue. The collectors ever,
year assess new property, thereby inercas
Ing the reYenue, which could not be dou,
by one collector. If We had assessors, on,
collector would do.
The defence lo,n is discussed aud tn,
last subject treated is the veto power
The Governor wants il amen dcd so as 4
give him power to veto parts of bills an,
not be required to reject then entire, as a
present, when they are Objectionable. Thi
suggestion Is proper, and still furihe
amendment ought to be made to the en-
that majority only should be required I
repass vetoed bill. Majority rule
Democratic doctrine.
The message advocates sweeping char
ges without any benefit to the peopl,
Revenue would be lost by adopting III
suggestions contained IN il, aud the peopl
would be left to the dispositions Of insuI
ance companies, dangers Of mine disaster
and to grope in ignorance as to the law
The oyster interest would go anprotecte,
and giant corporations would escape taxa
ton. flew Of the recommendations coul
with propriesy be made, but very little 7,
trenehment would be effected thereby.
BY carrying out all the suggestions con
tanned in Governor Hamiltons messag
there would be saved to the State
For Publishing Laws in newspapers Sss, 90
= Fish Commissioner. ....~........s, I,6O
Regisieringmarriages deaths 100
Nine Inspector. 1,50
. House ofcorrection telegraph
line..............,y.....-..- LOO
= Tax Commissioners otice.,... $500
Land Commissioner Office, 6,0O(
Legislative printing .............. 5000
Agricultural Societies.......... 5000
eel 0no