Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-04-22

WISH lneln phlu, lot no Deltef Investments
can be had, and those who want The nT0fey
for other purposes also do not inspire its
payment; and therefore ID is the more in
cumbent upon the people who wish to be
free from debt to give special attention to
this branch of the public service, and to sec
to II with the most exact scrutiny that the
means are always accommodating to pay
promptly the principal of the debt when it
natures.
IL Is time 70 reform our conduct aud go
back to our simple duty; adhere for the flu
ture rigldly to constitutional requirements
practice economy and rctrenchment in every
branch of the public service; establish an
efficient system Of prompt collection and
payment over Of taxes, and to that end
bill was before the legislature, but unfortu.
nately failed TO pass; apply the public money
to the purpose for which IL was raised, and
then with the gradual accumulation of CAPT
tai in the sinking fund, with Its reinvesting
interest process and with the authority In
case our own securities sell too high of in
sestng in United States securities, varying
In marketable prices but little, we will, with
our present rate of taxation and without
increasing 1t, and from ordinary resources,
soon put the state on the high road to free
dom from debt; and this, too, without dis
turbing the good securities we still hold,
rather leaving them TO be consolidated into
apermanent school fund, which, with local
resources and the surplus of the usual re-
ceipts into the treasury, will give gener-
Gus and efficient supportto our schools with
out calling upon the state at all for gener-
al taxation. And then, once out of debt
and free from state taxation, we can relegate
all those controverted questions of taxation
having reference TO exemptions, whether
OF mortgages, plant Of manufactures and
whatever else may be thought expedicnt to
the counties and the city for their own local
settlement and as the interests of each shall
be supposed to require The interest, then,
in taxation being localized instead OF diffus-
ed over the whole state, the hitherto excit-
ing differences will receive contentmcnt in
the harmony Of local government. And
even IL In the future there should be an oc-
caslonal requirement for n general tax
(which, under our present constitution, eau
verbelarge), itmay be apportioned among
the counties and city upon some equitable
basis, and thus relieve the state from much
expense and troble in its accounting do
partments, whilst at the same time weaken
ing centralizing combinations and simplify
ing still more tho government.
But the most important of all Is that, to
secure and maintain government Of the
people, there must be pure, free and fair
elections. This is the foundation-stone of
our free government. Its TO teach the men
in power that they are the agents, not the
masters, Of the people, II is to express with
rigid truth and fairness the popular will,
whatever that will may be. The masses Of
the people want good, honest government
They crave liberty and the order Of law
Give to them the opportunity to know and
10 their voice It's true expression, and there
Is no danger to the commonwealth. Tho
instrumentalities to secure oil this must be
efficient and practical. An effective regis
tration law IL required TO secure fair vote,
and a more thorough and efficient law
against brlbing and corrupt practices at
elections,to secure us far as can be pure vote.
And then, in addition, primary meetings,
which now have 10 prominent II relation to
our elections, should be put under legal pro-
lection against fraud and violence. Bills TO
these ends were submitted during the last
session, but failed to pass
In the enjoyment of these blessings--out
Of debt, from taxation, with fair and honest
elections, with, in short, good and honest,
simple and frugal government, having tho
finest Of climates, cheap and fertile land,
accessible by water and railroads construct
ed or in course of construction, with gate
ways wide open for immigrants, invited by
every consideration of location, laws and
government-we can hardly comprehend
the progress Of our material prosperity.
There are other important questions and
interests requiring thoughtful consideration
the oyster, tobacco aud other interests
which the state undertakes to protect or TO
regulate, and which manifestly are not now
in II satisfactory condition, but TO which
do not now propose 10 refer.
Let me assure you that In doing what I
can in common with yourselves and those
who think with you, TO promote these OBJ
lects, there is nothing Of personal considera-
ton. IL Is not for the purpose of putting mp
or putting down any one. Personal motives
and ambitions sink out of sight before tho
perpetual life Of tho state and all It's grave
concerns. Individuals die and their names
disappear and arc forgotten, and their acts
for good or evil only live after them. But
the statc--thc people--generati following
generation, continues ~ live
In this sense the people care nothing for
individuals II Is tho state--ther country
and their right Of fellowship, citizenship
and the right to enjoy Il as a heritage for
themselves and their children after them. II
Is good government they want, difiusing
content and dispensing justice. And tho
tests of individuals, while very properly en-
listing our interest, do not stir the profound
est depths of feeling Agents are wan ted a.
carry ont the purposes Of government, aud
u Is afinali matter whether |, u this oucor
another ~ that the duties are fully ami
faithfully ncffnrmed Whilst there IL nj
ways ga honorable ambition o serve the
state, Il should be done In tho uBselfish
spirit Of patriotism, and with the full appre-
citation Of the cardinal political truth Of a
free government that Is but trust for the
benefit OF the people.
II have said anything In this lengthy
communication that am one may take 10
be personal o. unjust, Il Is not my desire or
design 10 be either Il Is the subjects under
consideration, and not the elimination Of
individuals that intend
! know very well that in the management
oi state affairs how natural and how easy Il
b ~ times b omit the exact requirements OF
duty AMI even 81 right. and often b d.
wrong and violate right rulos Of condnct
from the most benevolent or DISTINGUISHED
motives. And, whatever may have been
the shortcomings Of any or All of ms In the
past IN fulfilling the expectations II a just
public sentiment, 10 rs unite In doing that
which was lct undone, and which should
have been dons, ior Il IS tbo present and
future aud mol The past which We can or