The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-05-07
The Platform of 1879.

The platform of 1879 is much discussed
at present, yet none of the bombshell jour
nails or bombshell orators have seen fit to
quote it, except in general terms. Ofthe
six or eight resolutions only one had any
special reference to public expenses and
economy. 1t was the second resolution,
and in it is contained all of the promises
Of the Democratic party. That resolution,
complete, was as follows:
at will be the duty of the next General
Assembly TO tighten the burden of taxation
in this State by abelishing all Offices not ne
eessary for the public service; by reducing all
salaries and fees subject to its control to the
limit of the compensation of persons engaged
in similar employment in private life; by COM
pelling the practice of economy in every de-
tail of State, county and municipal expendi-
lures, and by enforcing the observance OF the
constitutional rule that every person IN the
State, or persons holding property therein,
ought to contribute his proportion OF public
taxes for the support of the government &C
eerding 10 his actual worth in real and per-
sonal property"
Summed up, the resolution called for
the adjustment of Offices not necessary
for the public service, the cutting down Of
fees and salaries to the limit of compensa-
ton for similar services in private life,
the practice of economy in State, county
and municipal expenditures, and the en-
fcrcement of the constitutional require
ment that every person shall pay taxes ac-
cording to his actual worth in real and
personal property. Upon this platform the
Democratic party went before the people,
and was successful. The party meant ex-
actly what that resolution said, and it still
adheres to it. The last Legislature ad-
dressed itself to the work of carrying out
its promises, and while it was not success
full in doing all that could have been done,
it cannot be denied that it accomplished
much.
1t made provision for refunding the
Defence Loan debt, amounting to $685.
1906, which natures in 1888. The debt
now bears six per cent. interest, and. IN
1888 will be refunded at four and half
FER cent. interest, making saving Of
s49,90l.25 annually. The benefits oFthis
measure cannot be reaped, however, fer
two wears to come.
Another act of the Legislature was the
repeal Of the Bounty Law, which, VIC be
lievc, saves to the treasury about So, 600.
The donations to Agricultural Societies
were cut off, saving to the treasury 1000.
The Office of superintendent of the House
of Correction Telegraph Line was abolish
ed, saving 81 500 to the treasury,
TIE salaries of the weigher oflive stock,
adiutaut general, inspector of coal mines,
officers and crew of the oyster navy, and
those Of some others we're reduced.
We do not profess at this time to emu.
merate all that the Legislature did, but
mention the above only 10 snow mat tue
Legislature did something in fulfilling
every requirement of the platform of 1879,
except in regard to cqualizing the burden
Of government. A measure for that pur-
nose was under consideration, but there
was such cOntraricty of opinions on the
manner Of the bill, that it failed to pass.
We refer to the bill to tax mortgages, and
strargs to say, none of the modern reform
en- supported the measure. Had bill to
tax mortgages passed the last Legislature,
the5tatc levy to day would have been
about Is cents on the 500 instead Of ISL,
and the levy in every county would have
been considerably reduced.