The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-01-17
3 ths p.mand far RstrsneAment asnuins2

relesm 10 needed, nor is 10 stated where |
resrenchment ought to be made. Inview
oe this demand, however, study OF the
Comptroller's Report for the fiscal year
ending September 80, 1879, is interesting,
According to il there seems to be some
room Cor greater economy, and we viii test |
the retrenchment sentiment by calling
attention to some items of expense, re-
gardless Of local and personal interest of
any county or individual, which could be
dispensed with.
In looking over the report We find that
tho grain weigher's office pays no revenue
into tho State treasury, all the fees eollee-
ted from producers being reqairad to pay
the salaries Of officials.
The hay scales pay into the treasury
over expenses an excess Of 81 1880, and
the live stock scales an excess of Sll, III
81. The tobacco inspections produce a
revenue Of s3,035.67, and the salaries Of
officials cost $4,000, and the insurance
on the warehouses neeessitates further
expense Of sl,0s479 Tho expense,
then, of these inspections, is greater than
the receipts BY sl3,0I9.l2.
As The grain and tobacco Offices pro
duee no revenue to the State, but on the
contrary are heavy drausht upon the
treasury, their adjustment would seem TO
be demanded by all principles Of business
The tobacco warehouses, it is stated, are
worth half million dollars, which, with the
effects of the grain Office, could be sold, and
the sum realized be used in extinguishing
the State debt Putting the value Of these
at half million Of dollars, at the rate Of
sly per cent. per annum, it would realize
$4,000, and this amount is the sum actu-
ally lost BY the State in continuing these
offices.
Among the disbursements for the last
fiscal year we find that twelve agricultural
societies 10 as many counties received from
the State treasury 81 ,s25 This is Au an
nual expense which could be Topped off,
Two ofthe county societies got 81 900 each,
one 81, 800, one 1925, and the others $500
each. Among the latter was the Carol
County Agricultural Society. Now that
Baltimore county has fair association
she will also have State donation, which,
at the present figures, will swell the ex-
pense TO the State of these societies to
over $4,000.
These appropriations are granted to fos-
ter agricultural and mechanical industries
and trade generally, hn. tho small amount
toeaeh does not keep thesesocieties alive nor
does it very materially assist them. Then,
too, these societies are organized for a two
fold purpose--tO promote industries and
to make money. Nearly every man who
subscribes to the stock Of these associa-
tons does so with the idea and with the
purpose that he viii receive a dividend
upon his investment, and il it is not de-
monstrated to his satisfaction that a re-
turn win be made for money invested, his
subscription will be very small, If anything.
Some of these societies are prosperous and
pay good dividends to the stockholders,
and the State aid goes to these individu-
ais to swell their finances. Others are
barely maintaining an existence, aud rather
than put their hands in their own pockets
to keep them up, the stockholders viii let
them become bankrupt. Besides the
$4,000 to the county agricultural societies
there was paid to the State Agricultural
and Mechanical Associations 81, l59, swell
ling the total to over $4,000.
To the public schools last year was
given the sum Of s4s9, 359sO and an nd-
ditional sum Of s34,O6o39, making an
aggregate of s523.42919. This was
liberal sum, comprising more than half
the revenue derived from direct taxation,
but so well grounded are the principles Of
public education with the people, no OBJ
lection is made, and neither the public
school system nor its expense vas attacked
by either party in the last heated cam
paign. But, there are appropriations to
private schools, colleges and academies,
which could be withheld, and large
anount annually saved to the State. Last
year 500 ,56499 were thus expended,
Western Maryland College. Of ths city,
receiving 81, 500 Of the amount. 0feourse
some &c these institutions educate pupils
free Of charge, IN consideration Of the do
nation, but scarcely one per cent Of the
school population are accorded this aca-
demic or collegiate education, and many
Of those who do receive scholarships are
the children Of parents who can well afford
20 give them the higher education at their
own expense. We do not object to these
donations, and would gladly see them dou-
bled, ia order to give these facilities for
adyanced education to greater proportion
Of the school population. but when the
general demand for retrenehmcat Is 50
great we point oat these items as among
those expenses which could be Topped of.
The principles upon which public schools
are founded do not contemplate either &C.
ademic or collegiate education These
arc Inxaries which should be paid for by
those Obtaining them, according to those
principles Besides academies and col
isges arc started as business enterprises.
Those Who bald them and those who
teach IN them Do 20 a. business matter,
and in, the hope Of reward unIess they
can see profit in them they are not founded.
These arc The only items Of expense,
which now present. themselves, ia which
retrenshment may be used No other re.