The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1883-08-17
FOR COUNTY SURVEYOR.
WILLIAM N. GIBSON.
Governor HamiltOn's Letter.

Governor HnmlltOnS Letter.
Governor Hamilton has written long let
ter in answer to queries propounded by GER
tain of his political friends. The points upon
which information was sought were:
First, what further measures of reform
are necessary for constitutional and honest
administration of the government of this
State? Second, what measures have been
adopted during your administration to effect
these desirable objects? Third, what are
the proper means by which they may be Sc
cured to the people?"
He answers the questions at length, reter-
ating what he has said before about various
abuses which were inherited from the Rcpub-
licans, and Others that have crept into lcgis-
lation since the war He charges that the
Legislature of 1880 failed to carry out the re-
forms promised by the Democratic convention
of 1879 He adds that it does not become
him to say why this was SO. The Governor
peaks somewhat more favorably Of the Legis-
lature of 1889, which instituted reforms of
various kinds, among which he names the
following:
A fair registration law was paased, partially
upon the precinctal plan. Primary meetings
were put under the protection of law. Balti-
more city divided into voting precincts
which gave easy facilities to vote. 1t abolished
the Office of superintendent oftelegraph to the
House OF Correction, with salary of 81 800,
when in fact there was no such telegraphic line.
1t abolished the salary of 81 900 paid the sccre-
tary of the Senate for recording births, mar
riages, &c, which had been paid before when
in fact there was no such record made. 1t pro-
vded by law put out the public printing to
contract before the meeting of the Legislature.
1t reduced the cost of public printing for the
session from $3S, 900 paid before to S!5, 800. 1t
modified the newspaper publication of the laws
by limiting the allowance to be paid, so rs not
to exceed 5000 for each county, where 81 200,
and Mt one time 81 500, had been paid. 1t re-
duccd the number of officers and employees for
the session from l05 to "a and the legislative
expenses from Sl33,010 in 1880 to sos SG4 in
1882, but failed to pass law fixing the number
of officers in the future voted allowances to
newspaper reporters as usual, and the Senate
made two correspondents reporters ofthat body.
1t avoided the vices of preceding sessions in
voting round sum for legislative expenses, and
thus putting this whole sum in the power of
either house to apply as it thought proper. 1t
here stopped, and stopped short of the just en-
pcctations of the party and of the people. In
doing what it did it will be cheerfully recogniZ,
ed that something-that indeed much-was
done. so much done that with a correspond
CHI courage anu I'LL lGtlcSS tHOTl, All
the hopedfor reforms will be accomplished. The
single acts that gave a new registration and fair
voting precincts in Baltimore, coupled with the
further most important fact that there are super
visors of election now in ofiice whose character
and whose conduct in the past are guarantee
to all good citizens and good Democrats, and
all true reiormers, that their votes are to be
counted rs cast, and that none but legal voters
shall vote, are enough in themselves to give you
the vantage ground right and command sue
cess.
The Governor thinks that additional re-
forms are needed.
There should be law to prevent corruption
and violence at primary meetings, and against
the corrupt use of money at elections there
should be laws to secure fair elections to pro-
hbit assessments on oilice.holders for political
purposes; to prevent lobbying, both against
him that takes and him that gives corrupt
price; to enforce the collection of taxes due the
State; to revise the oyster service, which is n
disgrace to the State; to revise the tobacco SER
vice, so as to abolish compulsory inspec ton
the offices of tax and insurance commissioner,
the land Office, one fish commissioner, and
weghcrs of hay and grain should be abolished.
The canal service should be reformed, and the
sinking fund policy of the State should be main
tanned, The Legislature should be Invested OF
all power to appoint any but its own officers,
and the board of public works should only have
authority to name officers, given by the con.
stitution, and the judiciary should only have
power to appoint officers within its own i'm
mediate necessities.
lie next alludes to u number of evils in
the conduct of legislation and adds:
"Therc will be enough in the treasury to pay
the excess of 1926 $50 of the bounty loan which
remain to be paid in money after the reneg otia
ton of the So 00O, 5000, as authorized last SEES
sion, and which is already done, besides con
siderable sum to be carried to the credit of the
sinking fund. These encouraging results pre-
sent the hopeful promise of speedy redemp.
ton from debt and from State taxation.
The Governors conclusions upon this
point are sound. With due economy the
State investments in various public works
ought to be sufficient to pay all the expenses
of the State government and free our people
entirely from State taxes.
If more reforms were not made by the Leg
islatures of 1880 and 1889 Governor Hamilton
is in great measure himself responsible
He assumed the role of dictator and trans
cended his legitimate duties by undertaking
to coerce legislation to suit his own peculiar
views. Perhaps this was the necessary out
growth of his strong individuality, but it wal
not the best way to win others to his way o
thinking, The majority of Democrats il
the last Legislature were probably as sin
cerely DESTROYS as the Governor himself t.
carry out every needed reform, but they
claimed the privilege of making or repeating
laws themselves, duty for which they were
elected, leaving to the Governor the correla
tive duty of executing the laws. 1t seems tC
us that he made no effort to secure harmony
and unity of action between himself and thu
Legislature, and thereby other reforms be
sides those indicated failed because he insist
ed upon having them done in his own way
or not all.
Governor Hamilton's devotion to Demo
cratic principles and sincere desire to correc
everything that he regards as an abuse can
not be doubted. At the same time he ha'
thrown a more lurid light upon the picture
than the facts warrant He has zeal wthou
discretion
The Democratic county convention
which met here on Tuesday was composed o
some of the most respectable and Influential
Democrats of the county. The members
were perfectly Independent in their actions
and harmonious spirit prevailed. A deter
mination was expressed to give the Demo
cratic ticket rousng majority.
The Allegany county Democratic con