Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-11-16
The Legislature and its Pledges.

The Democratic majority in the Legisla-
ture Of Maryland, which meets in two
months time, is pledged by its platform to
two measures for the relief and protection
of labor. The platform promises to "afford
such protection as can be given by law 10
the health, permanent safety and welfare of
the men, women and children engaged in
labor in this State" and it declares "that
laboring men have an equal right with the
owners OF capital to make peaceable combi-
nations for their own protection, and that
such right ought to be recognized by statute"
In carrying out the first pledge, it is under
stood TO be the purpose to provide sanitary
regulations for industrial establishments and
to insure the proper inspection of machinery.
To carry out the second pledge will neces-
state simply the modification of the CON-
mon law statute AS the labor question was
the keynote of the campaign, however, it is
safe TO assume that the General Assembly
will be fully alive TO all other issues germane
to these that may arise. Another plank of
the Democratic party platform in which
pledges are made is that in regard to corpQ-
rations. Precisely what may be the inten-
ton of the trainers Of the corporation reso.
luton was not developed in the late cam
paign. On its face the resolution promises
that the Democratic party twill endeavor to
remedy any unjust discrimination against
our local interests which may be practced
by corporations in this State. 1t will, while
respecting the obligations of all existing con-
tracts, confine within the appointed limits
all exemptions which any of such corpora
tons or the property thereof may enjoy
from the burdens of taxation imposed on
the citizens of this State owning property
therein, and it will prevent the unreason-
able extension Of the powers of such cor
porations by State or municipal legislation,
and it will keep such corporations under
strict supervision" This language may be
construed as q promise or it may be pre-
monitory; but as il finds place in the decla-
ration of party principles, it may be as
sumed TO be the groundwork of some sort
Of legislation to be developed when the Gen
eral Assembly meets. Outside the pledges
and promises of platforms, however, are
number of important matters which will
force themselves on the attention of the leg
isature. Among these may he mentioned
the need affording adequate protection to
the nearly exhausted oyster resources of our
waters. As a basis for legislation in this
interest the General Assembly will have
before 1t an elaborate report made by scien-
lifc and expert Investigators, and the mat
ter will no doubt claim all the attention its
Importance deserves, In connection with
legislation TO promote or restore the fecun-
dity OF the natural oyster beds will be sug-
gestions for the reduction of the fishery fleet
OF sailing vessels and the employment wholly
OF steam vessels in this service. The consti-
tuition Of 1867 makes it the duty Of the Leg
islature to provide by law for taking the
vote of the people at the general election in
1887 on the question Of calling convention
Tor altering the constitution Any Legisa-
ture, however, is competent TO submit such
a question 10 the popular vote. The princi-
Pile has been established of revising the con.
stitution at lest every twenty years. A mum.
Der of defects in the existing organic law,
especially one, which is construed as re-
straining the limits OF the city of Baltimore,
will probably suggest early consideration
OF the constitutional convention question:
Bdtt0. Sun