Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1881-04-22

ltiairs. DEMOCRATIC.
Mr. Editor I do not profess to be a
6naucicr, but | fail to see that the an
swer Of the Annapolis correspondent to
tue Baltimore SIN, which appeared in
that paper on Saturday the 9th instant,
is sufficient refutation Of the charges
made by the Hagcrstown Nal against
the Democratic party managers of their
conduct, Of the States finances. That
it does rofute the charge OF "wrccking
the sinking fund" am free to admit,
since the raids upon that fund commenc-
ed anteriot to the periol when the pres
ent managers got control, and has been
accomplished through legislative enact
ments, running through series of years
since 1872, ! believe. But while this
is true does il sufficiently rctute the
charge. SINCE that charge strikes deeper
than Il mere superficial showing from
the records of the Comptrnlcr's aud
Treasurcrs books can prove! The dis
content til It seems to pcryadc every Sec
ton Of our State does not, | think, arise
from d want Of coui Ienee IN the person
al integrity Of our State Comptroller and
Treasurer ~ one charg IS that they
have peculacd or are guilty Of malGea
saucc in Office, which such showing
would in licatc But contend that the
discomfort is attributable to the belief
which has seized upon the minds of many
good Democrats ami others, that the
leaders, or "managers, or bosses,
by whichever they prefer to be known,
are chargeable with Il reckless exp ndi-
ture OF the peoples money, that is un-
warranted and for which the results
have not justified the expenditure. 1t
cannot be denied that these managers
have controlled a majority in each sue
cessive Legislature. Certainly since
1876; AMI it will suffice to 20 back to
that Session 1t cannot be denied that
they have controlled those assemblies
sufficiently to enable them to create new,
and in many instances, useless offices for
party fayoritrs; to install in all the posi-
tons of profit and trust, their own pecu
liar associates, and more frequently.
themselves; to secure the passage of such
legislation as they desired; yet, it all
seems to have tended in the same direc-
ton; to keeping this sinking fund,
which is provided for by the mandate of
the organic law of the State, the high
est law Of the land, depleted, by an alb
sorption Of tae States revenues in ex-
travagaut aud unwarranted expenditures,
as the repairs Of the State House at An
napolis, in one instance; the excessive
expenses Of tie legislatures; the exor-
bltant charges for public printing; the
useless printing Of the Laws in the pa
perS; maintalnancc Of useless Offices, as
State inspectors Of tobacco, and the
hordes of employees, attendant upon
them; offices once a source of considera-
bic revenue, and more lately a charge
upon the State, and still only more re-
Gently, of a much reduced revenue; the
same to be said of the Oyster Police
Force, and numerous other matters not
necessary to mention, all Of which could |
have been prevented by the same nfu
ence that has been exerted to make
,hem what they are Party success at
aimed by such methods is dearly pur-
'hased, and Will be Of short duration,
when properly understood by the people .
t is not a sufficient answer to say hat a
udden ana wholesale reformation is
ct to be accomplished. oallow three
essions of the Legislature to adjourn |
'ithout effecting something in this di-
eetlon, IS simply to trifie with the con
dence OF the people, who have shown
he'r hdellty to the Democratic party.
MY to be deceived by politicians. who
'hisper promises to the ear, to be brok-
n when they accomplish their purposes
'hich Is the launching of themselves in
fat Offices. This confidence cannot
c tflilea with too often. There is no
'ant OF fidelity to Democratic principles
one to Democratic policy, nor to the sue
eSs OF the Democratic party, but il
lust not be accomplished at such cost
or oy such means, and leaders, who
rove untaltful to their political trusts
~ promises, will be madc to give way :
fore an aroused Democracy who viii
'hiand au economical administration of
G State government in all its DEPART :
enfs It my be poor tiaaacierinq to 7 7
'eP up a S'nhing find; as | have said b,
90 not profess to be tinaneier but if d
e laws demand it, it is not for the neo. J.
servants 70 say they deem another :
licy better and execute that poll " BY
lorins the written organic law and
vent an accumulation of the sinkino n
d. By squandering the surplus reve7 1
; or what would be the surplus on IL
Necessary employees during the sss- t the
: OF the Legislature and in main con
ing useless offices simply to keep IN an
y Patronage. aud keep alive ilnpron- dea
49, -, ina sire4sa burden rather thar a
saag 20 the people, who often sttf.r
2 from too much, rather than from,
lnsufheiency of governing. The ri
plant IS not that they have not ex- IL
ted the laws appertaining to tho H. o.
ccs' but that they have not exerted
i Influence to secure such legislation 'ot
leaders they were relied upon to Sc. bla
e, and which would tighten taxa Sta
: rather than burden the people. affi