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

made OF anything not necessary for the public
service, and that il be limited to the necessi.
ties of legislation; that the comptroller or
treasurer or both should be directed to con
tract upon the best terms for such printing
before the meeting Of the Legislature, aud
that this contract be executed under the SUI
pervision Of a superintendent 70 be appointed
by the Governor; that no matter not embraced
in this contract shall be printed unless il is
referred to separate committee Of the House,
the cost Of it first ascertained by the super
intendent and favorable report by the com
mittee and order Of the House therein.
In addition 70 this sum of $4,000 paid for
the Legislative printing, there was also paid
the sum Of Sss,064.7O for the publication Of
the Laws Of last session to newspapers This
Is done under the acts Of 1865, chapter 81,
and 1868, chapter 440. Before the act Of
1866 no such publication was ever authorized,
and never before was this large expense in
CURED. The State and the people got along
in all time before without il, aud there is no |
occasion for it now. This system was iuaug-
rated under republican rule, has continued to
this day, and it is time to stop it. / accord |
ingly recommend the repeal ofthese acts A |
Just and wise economy on these printing sub |
jects can save at least $50, 900 to the treasury.
The true interests of the press are in its en-.
terprise, energy, intelligence, purity and en-
tire freedom from all paironizing influences.
But, however this may be, If the necessity of
the service does not reqaire this expenditure
of money that should be the end Of It.
now more particularly call your attention
to our legislative expenses, and to the neees.
sity oftheir careful revision and Of a rigorous
retrenehment. The expenses of the session Of
1878 was SIP, 2,OOl.0I. OF this sum s54, 500
in round numbers was for the per diem and
mileage Of the members Of both houses, leav-
ing the very large sum Of $5T 500 for the at.
tendant and incidental expenses, and of the
latter amount the sum Of SAC, 800 in round
numbers went in the shape of compensation
TO the officers and employees Of both houses.
That there can be a large saving here no one
can doubt, and that these officers and EN-
ployes should be nearly as great a charge
upon the treasury as the members themselves
would seem incredible. | very well appre-
ciate how the kindly sentiments Of our nature
are approached by those who desire such
places many Of them most worthy gentlemen,
and on account Of their personal friendship
or service for US, and impressed with knowl-
edge probably Of their wants, it would be en-
tirely ereditable to aid them in any way con.
sistent with strict discharge of duty to the
people, and especially ereditable to do SO out
OF our own private resources. But it must be
borne in mind that in disbursing the public
money we are taking that which is drawn by
the force Of law from rich and poor alike, and
not one ia thousand can be the recipient OF
any such fayors. Taxes should always be as
fairly aud justly imposed as can be; still, how
ever imposed primarily, they at last come by
aud out Of labor, and whenever we take from
labor that which is required for the support Of
, the government, it should be honestly ard
rigidly applied TO this purpose and to none
! other. The virtue Of right requires MS to be
, just TO all rather than to be generous to the
few. therefore most earnestly urge upon
! you the passage Of law defining and limiting
} the number Of officers and employees in the
Senate and House, and to the lowest possible
number, and fixing their compensation al
some certain moderate sum, and beyond this,
prohibiting either in money or other things
all perquisites or extraallowances for any kind
: of services. Furthermore, that the comptrol.
Ter be required, in his annual report to the
General Assembly, to return the names Of the
! officers and employees Of the last session; the
amount paid them for compensation, and id
character and the kind of service rendered.
The constitution (article 8, section s2) says
''no money shall be drawn from the treasury
. Of the State by any order or resolution, nor
. except in accordance with an appropriation
by law; and every such law shall distinctly
E specify the sum appropriated and the objecl
. to which 1t shall be applied This impose.
the duty upor the General Assembly to pro
t vide by law for the expenditure of every dol
t lar Of money needed for its necessary purpos
4 es beyond the simple per diem and mileage
a authorized and Fixed by the constitution, ant
I beyond these two items nothing is provided
+ by that instrument and must be provided fol
8 by law.
!, BY the act of 1872, chapter 2s2, certain ap
. preparations are made to agricultural socie
$ ties, one Of which is in Washington county
!, These appropriations, Ia my Judgment, arr
a not to be defended upon any sound principle
+ and should not be made. The agricnltura
!. interest is the foundation stone Of indnstria
o power, but this interest is no more entitled Il
!, appropriation in the nature Of bounties an,
J. subsidies or gratuities than any other Of th'
r great branches Of industry. What the farme
e wants is just and economical government
7 that which protects him in the enjoyment o
i his labor and his property, and without op
Il pressing him with public service or exhaus
:, tive taxation; with the free and unrestrictiv
d right to buy and sell in the best markets
e Besides, such appropriations set bad exam
J, plies, and others come for similar ones, nnsi
! at last you get everybody looking to the Stat
for that support which should come from
d themselves. ie
e | am grati6ed 70 see that you have wit
4 great promptitude responded to the recon
/ meudation Of The comptroller for the repea
+ Of the bounty laws, and thus put a stop to thi
0 expenditure. atgH u sps -
T The cousiituiion, art. 8, sec. I6, says ssn'
! book or other printed matter not apperiaininI
1 10 the business Of the session shail be printed
E or published for the use Of the members o