The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1881-11-04
DEMOCRATIC MASS MEETING AT
BEL AIR.
speeches of Hons. Herman Stuml
Thomas j. TX eating and III. w. Archer.

speeches of Hons. Herman stump.
Thomas j. Heating and III. w. Archer.
Notwithstanding the inclement weather, the
Democratic mass meeting held in the Court room
at this place, on Saturday last was well attended.
The attendance was estimated at 400 or 500 voters
and doubtless would have been much more than
double that number, except for the rain. The
meeting was called to order by Hon. ii. ID. Far
nandis, and the following officers were chosen:
President-Nathan Grafton, of the 4th district;
Vice Presidents-John Price, Archibald Wilson,
Capt. Robert A. Mcgowan, Robert W. Holland
and Amos Osborn; Secretary.trank Donnelly;
Hon. Herman Stump was first introduced, and
in forcible speech of u half hour, explained the
position occupied by him as candidate of the
of State Senator. He thoroughly contrasted the
attitude of the two parties and carried conviction
to his audience by his forcibe arragnment of the
specious promises and hollow performance of
Republican leaders, He also reminded them of
the significant and important fact that U. s..
Senator is to be elected by the vote OF the state
now will be member. The U. ,. Senate is TOO
evenly balanced to jeopardize the loss of one
member. Mr. Stumps synopsis of the work Of
the Legislature of 1880 was clear and concise. His
action, a member of 1t, he fairly and fully pre-
sented, and many good laws, in the interestof tax
payers and people generally, were pointed out by
him, together with the splendid credit, as evil
denced by the placing Of her bonded debt at low
rates, now enjoyed by the State of Maryland, I'M
der Democratic administration.
Hon. Thos j. Heating, Democratic candidate
for State Comptroller, was next introduced to the
meeting. Mr.. Keatings subject, being almost
entirely connected with the management of State
finances was, as he himself remarked at the out
set one that afforded but little scope. except for
presentation of facts and figures of compare
lively uninteresting nature when compared with
the general political speech. Yet was subject
of vital importance to the people, and his oppor-
tunities, as present incumbent of the Office of
Comptroller, were sucn that he necessarily pos
sessed more information in reference to these
financial matters than could possibly be enjoyed
by the general tax payer. This information 1T
was his purpose to impart as clearly and concsely
as he could He had been honored with another
n denomination for the Office of Comp
troller at the hands of his party when they and
the people of the State generally were conversant
with his administration of the office. 1t was no
experiment Maryland securities to-day pro-
claimed, by their more than good standing in the
market, the wise and economical management or
the finances by the Legislative and financial
branches of the State government.
Mr. Heating further spoke in detail of the re-
forms inaugurated and carried out since his adj
ministration of the Office of Comptroller. The
changing of the fiscal year, so as TO enable more
economical legislation to be had in reference TO
the expenses of the State government: the re-
ducton of salaries of some, and abolition OF other
Offices, such as tobacco inspectors, &c and final
ly the immense saving to al the people by the re-
funding of the public debt at the low rate of ~
per cent interest whereby in tftecn years enough
would be saved to extinguish nearly, one-half of
it-as compared with the old rate of interest,"
| These were all alluded to and explained clearly
and satisfactorily. The sinking fund matter was
also commented on. A Republican admnstra-
had first dealt with this question. They had dealt
in this particular wisely, and the Democrats, rec
ogniZing their obligations to the people, had
adopted what OF ROOd lney 1Ounu, ana tne same
policy is continued to-day. There could be no
good in burdening the people with taxes to keep
an idle surplus in the Treasury. All these and
many other matters Of detail kindred to the tinan-
ces were made clear by Mr. Heating, in his adj
dress of more than an hour No one, we are sat
isfed, who really wished an intelligent and fair
explanation. could have failed to be convinced
that our State finances are in a healthy and pros
porous condition In some smaller matters there
is undoubtedly room for further perfecting the
financial policy of the State. This is fully recog-
niZed by the Comptroller and Democratic Legis-
lators as well as by the mass of tho people Still
the fact remains that we are in a condition of
financial prosperity to-day that invited to our
borders business capital from abroad, and the
business interests of our own citizens are lightly
burdened by taxation.
Mr.. Keatng's remarks were attentvely listened
to throughout and much satisfaction expressed
at the opportunity of hearing him.
Mr.. Heating was followed by Hon. Henry w.
Archer, who made one of the abest political ad-
dresses ever delivered in the Court House. He
urged, in the strongest manner, every Democrat
to support the entire ticket nominated at the pri-
| mary elections, MS he himself intended to do. He
pricked the bubble of the so-called reform move
ment, and showed that it was only an effort of the
Republicans to get control of the State govern
ment again. His speech was enthusiastically
phppral