The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-07-01
THE PLATFORM.

THE PLATFORM.
TO Tie DemOcydttc IOttTS Of UdJyidnd:
You have passed since 1861 through many severe
conflicts but you have maintained the control of
the internal affairs of the State, and have kept the
state in steadfast opposition to the purpose of the
Republican party TO centralze the powers Dt the
federal government
Your success has been wholly due to your col
lectve power of grasping the questions which
concern your interests, and OF enforcing obedi-
ence to your requirements
Under the influence of different causes, an I'M
due part of the burden of taxation, on account of
the Indebtedness of the state, and for the pay
ment OF the expense OF the state, county and mu-
ncipal governments, was imposed for many years
upon your houses and lands.
In 1876 your representatives in the General As
sembly, supported by your hearty encourage
ment, commenced to check this growing evil.
They were of the opinion that all forms of
wealth in this State not exempted from taxation
by rrevocable contract or because of consdera-
tions of public good, ought to bear their Just pro-
portion of the public burdens.
The General Assembly of 1873 and of 1890, in
huenced by the same convictions, maintained the
same policy, and, aided by the wise adjudcations
of your courts, succeeded in distributing more
equally the burdens of the public debt and of the
expenses OF state, county and municipal govern
ments.
REGISTRATION AND ELECTION LAWS.
The registration of the voters of this State made
by the Republican party under the constitution of
1864 admitted to the privilege of the elective fran
chise persons not entitled to vote in this State
and excluded from that franchise a large body of
citizens who actually possessed the right to vote.
You have endeayored to correct the lists then
made by means of the revisons authorized by the
acts of 1857 chapter 1886, 1868, chapter 2g7, 1870
chapter 459, 1874, chapter 49, and 1876, chapter
20
more thorough method of correction must be
applied The remedy to be adopted is open to
debate.
The State Convention declared in 1879 that the
General Assembly ought further to secure fair
ness in elections by providing for II correct and
accurate registration by competent officers Mt the
earliest practicable period of time of the names
of AL persons entitled to vote in this State;
The great majority of the Democratic Conser-
members General Assembly m
deavored to fulhll this obligation.
1t is the duty of the convention to insist upon
the ample redemption of the pledges given by its
predecessor in 1879.
Laws regulating the registration of qualified
voters. and laws regulating the conduct of cleo
tons at which such voters may cast their ballots
collectively intended To afford opportunity
IIr er l rhe oil 'ne 9Sns of those
laws ought TO form part OF one wel-digestcd arti-
Gle in the Code.
This convention, therefore, assumes the rcspon-
sblity of naming committee, whose duty it
shall be to prepare and present to the next Gen
eral Assembly, at the opening of its session, a
complete and impartial system, embodied i'm one
article, providing for the registration of qualified
voters, aud for the conducting of all elections in
authorized to cast their ballots
The committee shall consist of the Governor
and Attorney General of the State Charles b.
Roberts, OF Carroll Henry ID. Farnandis Of Har-
ford Philip Francis Thomas, of Talbot, and s.
Teaekle Wallis, of baltimore city. We ask You
10 instruct the senators and delegates whom Won
may nominate To give their fullest and most cor
dial aid in perfectng the bill thus presented and
OTHER REFORMS SUGGESTED.
The convention is OF the opinion that the inter
ests of public justice require that the methods Of
selecting the grand and petit iuries. of which the
greater part of this State has now the advantage
should be by proper legislation extended 10 those
portions of the State which are denied the protec-
ton OF this improved system
II is also OF the opinion that further changes are
necessary in our criminal law To make il com
pietely effective as means of prevention and
punishment
We, therefore, request those to whom we have
depnted the public service of presenting to the
General Assembly the draft OF new article in
the Code relating to registrations and elections
TO add to their duty the framing of such bills
necessary to the perfection of our Jury system
and criminal law as they may have time and OPP
portunity to prepare.
We ask you to instruct your senators and dele
gates to give their cordial aid in perfecting such
reforms.
LEGISLATIVE ECONOMY.
This convention expects you to enjoin upon
those who may represent you in the Senate and
House the duty OF reducing the expenses of the
General Assembly to the smallest amount com
patible with efficient public service, and of regl-
lating such expenditures by positive laws. The
services rendered by representatives to their con-
stituencies or to the people of the state are
marred, if such agents afford any opportunity for
reproaeh by their negligence or waste in public
expenditures.
In conclusion, we now commit 10 you the con-
duct OF the campaign. II Is your duty to select
as your representatives in the General Assembly
of les the ablest and most respected of those who
share your convictions, to the end that your
purposes be carried into complete effect by the
enactment of adequate laws "
NAMING THE CANDIDATE.
Mr.. J. A. Talbot, of Montgomery. nominal
ed Comptroller Heating. He paid him n
high compliment for his excellent manage
ment Of the finances since he became conn
troller, and said that as II delegate from
Western Maryland, it gave him pleasure TO
speak in eulogy of iiiyorite son of the East
ern Shore. Applause. He was sure the
nomination would be ratified ut the polls
Applause
Charles e. Fendall of Baltimore county
seconded the nomination, commenting Comp.
troller Keaiings administration and speak
ing of the victory that would crown the party
in November next with him az the standard
bearer.