The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1881-07-02
sasHi BosHiI BosH
The Platform Adopted by the Lats Dom.
ocretic State Convention-More
Promises and Pledges that
VIII Never be FULFILLED.

To he Denoerafie Conservative Hofsrs Of tAs
State d: You have passed since 1867 through many
severe conflicts, but you have maintained the con.
troll Of the internal Affairs Of the State and have
kept the State in stsadfast opposition to the pur.
pose OF the Republican party 20 eentraliEs the
powers Of the Federal government. Your success
has been wholly due 20 your collective power Of
graphing the questions which concern your in
terests and Of enforcing obedience TO your
ments.
undue part Of the burden Of taxation on account
Of the Indebtedness Of the State, county and mu-
nicipai governments was imposed for many years
upon your houses and lands. In 1876 your rep.
resentatives In the General Assembly, supported
BY your hearty encouragement, commenced TO
check this growing evil. They were Of opinion
that all forms Of wealth In this State not exempt.
cd from taxation By irrsvOcsble contract OF Be.
cause OF consideration Of public good, ought 20
bear their just proportion CT the public burden.
The General Assembly Of 1878 and Of 1850. In.
hueneed BY the same convictions, maintained the
same policy, and, aided BY the wise adjudieations
Of your courts, have succeeded in distributing
more equally the burdens Of the public debt aud Of
the expenses Of State, county and municipal
governments.
The registration Of the voters Of this State by
the Republican party, under the constitution Of
1855, admitted 20 the privilege Of the elective
franchise persons not entitled 20 vote in this State
and excluded from that franchise large body Of
citizens who actually possessed the right % vote
You have endeayored % correct the lists then made
by the revisions authorized BY the acts Of 1867,
chapter $3.50 1865, chapter 1917; 1870, chapter
4j9; 1874, chapter 400, and 1876, chapter 249.
A more thorough method Of correction must be
applied. The remedy 20 DO adopted 10 not open
70 debate. The State Convsntion declared In lsye
that the General Assemble out farther 70 secure
fairness In elections by providing for correct and
accurate registration By competent officers, at the
arff All If ar
all persons entitled 20 vote In this State. The
great majority Of the Democratic Conservative
members Of the General Assembly Of 1850 en-.
dsavored to falGll this obligation. II 10 the duty
Of this convention 20 insist upon the ample re-
demption Of the pledge given by IL, predecessor
in 1879. Laws regulating the registration Of
qualified voters. and laws regulating the conduct
of elections. at which such voters may cast their
ballots, are. collectively, intended 20 afford oppor
tunity for the fair expression Of the opinions of
those who form the elective body Of the State.
Such laws oaght to form part Of one well-disestei
article In our code.
This convention. therefore. assume. the respon.
sibility Of naming committee whose duty Il
shall be 90 prepare and prescnt 60 the next Gen
eral Assembly. at tbs opening Of its session, \
complete and impartial system. embodied In one
article. providing for the registration Of qualified
voters and for the conducting Of all elections 10
this State At which such qualified voters may be
authorized TO east their ballots. The committee
shall consist Of the Governor aud the Attorney
General Of she State Hon Charles u. Roberts, Of
Carroll county Hon. Henry d. Farnandis. Of
Hartford county; Hon. Philip Francis Thomas. q
Talbot county, aud Hon. s. Teaskie Wallis, Of
Baltimore city. We ask you TO instruct the sens-
tors and Delegates whom you may nominate 10
give their fullest and most cordial aid in perfect
ing the bill thus presented and In enaeting 10 -
Law.
This convention !. Of the opinion that the in
- al n.
Of selecting the grand and petit juries. Of which
the greater part Of this State has nos the advan
tage. should be. by proper authority, extended 10
those portions Of the State which are denied the
protection of this improved system. II IL also 81
the opinion that further changes are necessary in
our criminal Law 20 make Il completely effective
Ne . means Of prevention and punishment. We,
therefore. request those 10 whom We have deputed
the public service OF presenting % the General
Assembly the draft Of \ neW article In the code
relating Go registration and elections 90 add 60
their duty the framing Of such bilis necessary To
the perfection of our jury system and criminal
laws ~ they may have time and opportunity 60
prepare. We ask you TO instruct your Senators
and Delegates to give their cordial aid in perfect
ing such reforms.
The convention expects you 20 snJoin upon
those who may represent you In the Senate and
House Of Delegates the duty Of reducing the ex-
penses of the General Assembly 20 the smallest
amount compatible with enieisnt public service,
and Of regulating such expenses BY positive laws.
TIE services readsrsd BY representatives, 10 their
eoastitueneiss or 10 the people Of the State are
mArred u such agents afford any opportunity for
reproaeh BY their negligence or waste In public.
In conclusion, We nov commit 90 you the conduct
Of the eampagn. II 10 your duty 20 select as your
representatives in the General Assembly Of tss2
the ablest and most respected Of those Who share
your convictions To the end that your proper in
huenee may be fully exertsi and your purposes be
carried into complete effect by the enactment Of
adequate laws.