The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-02-21
GOV. HAMnToNs SECOND MESSAGE.

GOV. HAMILToNs SECOND MESSAGE.
We have read carefully the second message Of
Governor Hamilton delivered to the General As
sembly on the 18th inst. Though we are opposed
to Governor Hamilton in general politics, yet we
cannot but appreciate the Independent principles
advocated by him in the message here referred to
and the conservative stand he has taken, looking
towards reform and public economy. Had Gov.
Hamilton been the taxpayers candidate, elected
by them and those of our Republican friends uni
ted in their movements last fall he could scarcely
have expressed their wishes upon the absorbing
questions of specific and general State economy as
regards counties and the Commonwealth at large
better than he has done in the very comprehen-
sive, suceinet and able message to tohich we here
direct attention. We would gladly transfer this
excellent paper entire to our columns, but time
and space and opportunity do not permit. We
hope that it has already been very generally and
carefully perused. To taxpayers especially, it
covers almost the entire ground embodied in their
speeches, principles and resolutions so forcibly
urged upon the people and independent voters of
Maryland, during several years past and partic-
uIarly during the canvas of last fall when they so
forcibly urged cutting down of expenses, lop-
ping off of sinecure Offices and general reduction
of taxes. Nearly, or quite, everything they asked
and commended for has been appreciated by His
Excellency asking prompt legislation thereon.
Such is the full tenor of his message and no one
from the language used, the propositions made
and suggestions set forth, but by his determined
acts since and persistence in demanding the re-
forms asked for, justified in inferring
from what the Democratic press and his partizan
friends assert Gov. Hamilton is honest, conscious,
earnest in his own rectitude as the Conservative
Chief Magistrate of Maryland.
Taking him upon his own showing, he evident
ly wants to do what is right and what he thinks
best for the whole people. This, then, if we take
his message as sincere exposition of true senti-
ment is plain, open, fair sailing against which no
one can find fault. If foiled in what he asks for
by partizan Legislature, holding Democratic
control, and the reforms sought are ignored, still
leaving the same onorous pressure upon tax
payers as citizens, wholly outside of party poll
tics, then the blame must rest with the Democratic
party and not the Governor.
Without celebrating or following the Governor
into particulars, his message shows, if its sugges-
tons were favorably passed upon by the General
Assembly and carried out in the abrogation of
certain useless expensive sinecure offices, clerk
ships and almost countless other places and ex-
penditures, hitherto and now given, more for po-
htical emoluments than necessary service, there
might be an annual saving to taxpayers of nearly
or quite half million dollars. Tobacco inspec-
tors with expenses attendent thereon in the ware
house system, "bull weighers," grain inspectors,
attendants at the hay scales land offices, agents,
unnecessary expenses of legislation, of public
printing, of advertising the laws in hosts of par
tizan newspapers for mere political buncomb with
out any actual utility or compensating reward to
the public, and many more such things could be
proftably and easily dispensed WITH no absolute
necessity existing therefore, unless-if necessity
they can be called-mere brides to secure parti-
zan friendship in electioneering canvassing. This
might do well enough ifthe successful party alone
but those in defeat as political opponents, are
obliged to pay also their share in the roundabout
way of taxation upon the entire citizenship of the
State.
Take this message in its entirity, apparent
genuineness, conservatism and bold independ-
ence, it certainly does credit to the author,
ing both hope and confidence to be reposed in the
commences of intentions therein set forth As
it strikes-or would if carried into efect-a Sc
we're blow at the heretofore and now existing, par
tizan machinery of Democratic politics and poll
tcians taking away the hope of fat Offices, snug
places of profit and extensive executive patron
age. We need not be surprised at learning that
the message has fallen like bomb-shell in the
democratic camp, causing both alarm and dissat-
isfaction. good and favorable sign is its hav-
ing met general approval with Republicans and
with conservative, substantial Marylanders GEN
orally who desire economy regardingpublic affairs
in all parts of the State. 1t is bold step in adj
vance of things hitherto existing under democrat
ic rule and if so infringing itself upon the minds
of our rulers and Lawmakers so as to secure prac-
teal sanction and working cannot otherwise than
result in great good.
So conservative and in correspondence with
what Republicans, and many others are in ac-
cord, that they, as we learn upon good authority,
are inclined to suppOrt-Republican members in
the House and Senate-whatever measures may
be brought before the Legislature this session,
framed into bills, embodying Mr.. Hamlton's
n & SuOOpSfpd nd Of fort
This, of course, is giving our more radical Demo-
cratic friends great concern and they scarcely
know what to do. There is evidently trouble in
the camp, the end of which has not yet been seen.
B-Mr. Frank W. Bennett, the welI-known
Baltimore adctioneer died at his residence, in that
city, on Saturday night last in the 61st year of his
fauz ,zaeks ha IL -.