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

| eN'o'NAA
wien the necessities Of the service could
be understood. This act provided for TWEEN
ty-nine officers for both houses at compen-
sation of $14,540, and adding $4,000 to this
sum for temporary employees authorized to
be appointed by the presiding officers of the
Senate and house when the press of work
required there would still be here u differ
cncc of at least $4,000. This act was re-
pealed at the following session of 1879, chap
ter 211, leaving the.whoie matter again open
and without law upon the subject. There
was, accordingly, n continuance Of the ac-
customed excuses, and both houses CON
tined to be crowded with employees. Public
attention was directed to the necessity Of
rcformatory measures in respect to this, and
it was made one of the main questions at
the last session A well considered bill was
reported by the committee having charge Of
the subject. 1t prescribed thirty Of
ficers and employees ltor both houses at 8
compensation Of $l7,330. This bill did not
pass, nor did any.
We have this demontrative fact presented.
that an intelligent committee say that thirty
nine officers and employees are sufficient
number and that the compensation of ST.
$3.50 is sufllcient whilst at the same session
there were 1916 officers, employees and bene-
flciaries at cost of $50, 276.25-a difference
indeed. A system was to be organized by a
force of law; the other is without either
system or law, and hence the resulting
wrong and waste Of public money. Con-
gress has system established by law in re-
lation to the officers and employees of each
house, prescribing the number and compen-
sation, and also the manner in which their
service is to be certified and how paid. An
other subject involving largo expenditure
of money, and equally without any system
having the force of law. l refer to the pub
lie printing and to the publication of the
laws. True, the latter Is directed TO be done
by act of 1865, chapter 81, but without any
defined or prudent restraints as to mode or
price to be paid, and as TO the former the
law is still more indefinite upon the subject,
and has been left for years to the hurried
action of both houses, without any estab-
lished rule to regulate either or both. II
should be matter of surprise that where
there is so large an expenditure Of public
money there Is no we'll established system TO
drectit The cost of printing for the last ses-
sion and for indexing and binding the laws
and journals of Senate and House, and for
the publication of these laws amounted 10
$4,000, the printing alone being $3s,000
and for the publication Of the laws 1913, 100
In this matter alone at least $4,000 should
be saved,
For the last three sessions, now covering
about five years, and for the departmental
printing, there have been spent the sum Of
$260,000. Under any well-devised system,
guarding the interests of the state and still
liberal and just TO all, an immense saving
could be made. Bills maturely prepared TO
this end were before the last legislature, but
failed TO pass one Of them being bill re-
quiring the governor and attorney general to
examine the laws passed and TO select those
Of sufficient public importance TO be pub
lished. F
There Is another subject which continues
to attract attention-that OF the public Of
fees. Not only should useless offices be ALSO
lutely abolished, but those also which are not
reasonably necessary for the public service,
and also AL those the duties Of which should
be performed by others in office, The null
tiplicity Of offices is the great evil Of the day.
II centralizes power, concentrates selfish
authority, begets extravaganza, Is the fruit
full source Of idleness, discourages industrial
pursuits by inspiring the hope of place and
case, and the greater per cent. Of eager aspi-
rants, who often toll and suffer for years in
the pursuit Of place instead Of giving a
ready hand TO the common industries Of
life. Without entering into detail, / will
only make the general remark that there
are offices which are absolutely useless, some
not reasonably necessary, and some whose
duties should be performed by others. These
should all be abolished. Not only would
a large sum DO saved 10 the treasury, but be-
sides dispensing with u great official inhu
ence which more or less tends always 10 its
own interest and protection. Bills were in
troduced at the last session Tor this purpose,
but with only an exception or so failed 10
pass. This gradual payment Of the public
debt was one Of the distinctive declarations
of the Democratic convention, and Is In per-
feet conformity with the requirements Of the
Constitution, 4.
The cherished policy of the state has been
the gradual payment and final extinction Of
the debt. There Is political philosophy in
this policy Of the capable and wise men
who did this good and honest work Of com.
pelling tbe.payment Of the debt In limited
time. II, upon the one hand, dscouragcs the
creation Of debt ior an adequate lax TO pay
II imposed at the time, would be the subject
Of certain criticism, whilst, upon the other
hand, 10 pay the debt in half generation Is
in itself sound morality and a rational, sim
pie act Of justice al az
The constitution, article g. section "a, pro-
yides that "No debt shall be hereafter con.
tracted by the General Assembly, unless
such debt shall be authorized by law pro.
yidlng for the collection Of an annual tax,
or taxes, sufficient 10 pay the interest on
such debt ~ Il falls due; and also 10 dis.
charge the principal thereof within fifteen
years from the time Ct contracting the same
and tho taxes levied for This purpose shall
not be repealed or applied 10 any other Oh.
joct, until the said debt and interest thereon
shall be fully discharged I" and
further, that the General Assembly shall
not use or appropriate Tho proceeds Of the
Internal Improvement companies, or If DC
state taxes now levied, or which may here
after be levied, b pay of the public debt, b
any purpose, until tho interest and debt are
fully paid, Or the sinking fund shall BE- equal
7 10 the amount Of the outstanding debt"
These provisions, regret % say, have not
been regarded, and into the CAUSES Of which
| do not now propose b lnquine. Had thcse
provisions been observed, The debt would