The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1881-05-07
A scheme to "Take IN tho county.

We have received from an unknown source,
petition addressed 60 the General Assembly Of
Maryland, for the consolidation Of Baltimore city
ana county, or. as the petition puts H. asking the
passage Of an act 10 submit 10 the voters Of
thc county the question Of extending the limits
o. Baltimore city as 10 annex the whole county.
Inc person who sent this petition 10 Us wrote ON
II the following "a Legislative ticket will be run
next fall irrespective Of party this PLATFORM"
Inis scheme comprehcnds the formation of eight
wards, with twelve members Of the city council to
represent the territory acquired by the city. II
also provides that ell the property, real and per
sonal, having its situs within a radius Of four al
miles Of the present limits Of the city Of Baltimore,
taxing as centre the point where the Baltimore
aud York Turnpike Company's road enters the city
limit. shall be assessed for the purpose Of city
taxation ~ al present assessed 10 be ASSESSED at
one-half the amount asse ssed, which shall be is
cash value for the period Of ten years, except
where hitecn (l5j houses are actually built upon
any square or block Of ground In said territory
annexed; then the said property 90 built on, and
the personal property Of the person resident
In the houses, shall be subject 20 taxation In the
same manner NJ " they were located In the
former corporate limits Of tho city Of Baltimore;
at the expiration Of ten years the territory shall
be subject 70 the taxes levied within the limits Of
direct taxation; the rest Of the territory annexed
shall be subject 10 rate Of taxation 10 be denomi-
mated the farm tax" which shall not exceed one
forth Of the rate levied within the limits Of direct
taxation. IL s not proposed 10 interfere with the
county court or any Of the present public officers
except-the County Commissioners, subject 20 fu-
ture legislation, whose duties arc 10 be assumed
BY the mayor and city councilman.
Referring 20 this same petition the Baltimore
San Of Wednesday says: "As Towsontown politi-
clans have always shown superior sagacity u may
be confidently expected that the first mayor after
annexation will come from that historic village
IL 10 not known what are at work In the
circulation Of the consolidation paper but the fact
that the subject has again como mp demonstrates
lie importance political consideration. Baiti-
a.s,s county waiehfsness secured IN the ir., place
such advantages under the constitution that Tow
asutown can AZ pleasure hold the city Of Baltimore
within the bounds which have limited its jurisdc-
tion since 1916. The county politicians have also
been able 10 discover from time 20 time powerful
interests the support Of which would insure protec
tion against city expansion. Inquiry will natur-
ally turn now In this direction 20 ascertain who
will be benefited BY continued restriction Of tho
city's limits. Heretofore the plan Of taking In the
whole county has not found any great favor in the
city. Whenever u has been advanced Il has been
taken up in the county more zcalous:y by pro-
nounced openents OF city belt extension than by
any one else.
Belt annexation 10 the true interest Of the city
and it, right for the strip Of suburban territory
conprehended In that scheme has been improved
wholly by city enterprise, and 10 In fact rs much
. part Of baltimore 40 the City Hall itself The
city has added so greatly 20 the taxable basis Of
Baltimore county that even with costly admin
istration and more public officers than any other
county In the State. taxes may be KEEP. so low
TO make II an inducement 10 many pcrsons 60 jump
the boundary line, carrying with them the situs
Of their personal property to swell the Of
the county.
at l. understood some Republican leaders real
ise that their campaigns in Maryland should be
directed TO the advocacy Of questions in which the
people have material Interests. instead OF harping
ON petty personal charges. and that among these
matters none are Of greater Importance 10 the city
Of Baltimore than that Of Belt annexation. There
have been indications that the Republicans in
tend 10 make annexation an Issue. If they use IL
skillfuliy. IL is recognized II may be made pow
erful weapon. though IL IL not in any party
political question. Even the county opponents Of
extension admit tina, the time will come when they
must give way. II Is believed by many that to
refuse the use Of city apparatus In of fire be-
yond the city limits Is not step in the interest Of
encouraging annexation. Coercion always cxas.
perates those who feel the effects Of rctaliaiory
measures. But there Is m additional considera.
ton that fires beyond the boundary may quickly
cross the line under favoring circumstances. and
TO neglect suburban property would be in effect a
failure to protect that which is within the city
limits"
We must admit that there Is much truth in what
the SHR says and VIC also believe that this scheme
70 take in the whole county is simply new plan
10 beat city extension. We have no doubt that
two-thirds Of the voters Of the county would cast
their ballots against the consolidation scheme.