Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1883-08-17
The Governors Bomb-Shell.

several thousand of his fellow democrats of
the State requesting him to address the peo-
pie OF Baltimore upon important questions
ofpublic concern, Gov. Hamilton has written
a letter for publication, in which he reviews
the bad political situation inherited from the
Republicans in 1857; calls attention to the
of not few of their abuses with
some additions till 1882; cites the substantial
reforms accomplished in the latter year; emu
merates the large number of reforms still
needed, and makes recommendations look
ing to better methods of legislation and the
unity and success of the Democratic party
in the future. Wi h the individuals the
Governor in the outset declares that he has
nothing to do. 1t is not for him to seek to
make or unmake candidates. 1t is only
with the concerns of government that he
undertakes TO deal. at is with measures
OF public policy, of legislation, and with
methods administration and of party man
agement." At the conclusion of the war
public sentiment was consolidated against
the Republican party" Beginning with their
access into power in 1867 the Democrats
were for a number of years engaged in re-
moving from the statute book "the excep-
tional and oppressive measures imposed
upon the people" during the war. While
intent upon this "many Of the details of our
own State and party management escaped
critical observation" and the frame work of
party organizations became "the instrument
of a compact and thoroughly organized per
sonn power Registration, primary meet
irs and elections We're during tlia .paa5Uo
fasisoned into machinery for Registering tie
edicts OF this personal power. Every sort
of abuse fiourished in the public administra-
ton. Offices were multiplied, assessments
levid, loan taxes misapplied, the sinking
fund obliterated, and every species Of ex-
travagance and corruption exhibited itself
unblushingly. The scandals of the legislative
session of 80 are referred to by the Governor
in some detail. OF the 448 laws passed in
that year but 81 of them were general laws
Of these, 36 being made TO take effect before
the LIST Of June, were required to be pub
lished in newspapers. This cost 1873, $50, or
nearly 81 900 for each law, the money be-
ing distributed among the press in such a
way as TO serve personal intesests or ito
keep the peace" but with no reference to
the value Of the work done. This, how
ever was among the mildest Of the corrupt
ing and extravagant acts of that Legislature.
The people of the State became disconnected.
To such dangerous height did this discon-
tent rise that IL became clear that nothing but
reform and amendment could project the
party from ruin. The convention of 1879
made declarations and promises embracing
what the honest membersoi the party thought
necessary for its salvation. But, as has been
said already, the acts of the Legislature OF
1880 did not correspond with the expecta-
tons created by the declarations of the con-
vention of the preceding year. The Legis-
lature OF 1882 did better. at gives me plea
sure" says the Governor, ITO state that there
was substantial improvement" Something
was done, but not enough. A fair regis
tration law, law putting primary meetings
under legal sanction, law dividing Balti-
more into voting precints, the abolition Of
a number OF sinecure and other offlcies, put
ting public printing out to contract and re-
ducing its cost, large abridgement Of the
expenses of the Legislature--these are some
Of the fruits of the session of 1882 But
they fall far short of what the reforming
sentiment of the state demands. The PR
mary election law needs improvement
Bribery, violence and fraud at the polls
need TO be better guarded against, as also
the assessment of otiiceholders and the ex-
istence and practice Of lobbyists. "'ro get
nd OF the gnats and flies as well as of the
hornets and leeches," the Governor urges
upon the party the propriety Of lessening
the amount OF patronage it has to bestow.
Among the offices which the Governor
thinks may be abolished without loss to the
efficiency Of the public service are the fol-
lowing: The office of tax commissioner, IA
made office" created in 1875 the office OF
insurance commissioner, the land Office, one
of the offices of fish commissioner, the offices
of weighers Of grain and weighers of hay
The oyster service requires radical revision ;
much more the tobacco service. Compul-
sorry inspection should be abolished, and the
malign touch of machine politics" be re-
moved from the conduct of the warehousing
system. The canal service also demands the
application of "the exact principles of civil
service reform" The Legislature should
cease to appoint to office; should make
laws and not seek to administer or execute
them; much less should shat trinity of
political power" the board of public works,
consisting OF the governor, comptroller and
treasurer, possesses the power of appointing
To Office. ut is the patent device of politi-
cal managers for personal aims and ends,
and as such has produced its legitimate fruit
OF disorder, inefficiency, discomfort and dis
trust" Nor should the judiciary be bur-
dened with the appointment OF school COM
missioners. Evils are mentioned in the CON
duct OF legislation which need correction
such as keeping back the general appropria-
ton bill so that the executive shall not be-
fore the close of the session have opportu-
nifty to veto Objectionable private claims
improperly included in it. The power to
veto or mon concur in distinct items of APP
preparations" it is suggested, should be ac-
corded TO the executive. In concluding his
outspoken and suggestive paper the Gov
ernor, after recounting the vast improve
ment made in the financial status of the
State since 1872 declares that "these en-
couraging results present the hopeful prom
Use OF speedy redemption from debt and
State taxation" To the political movements
now going on in the State he makes no allu-
sion, unless allusion to them is contained in
his exhortaton to the party to "banish in
trigue" and to insist on fair primaries and
lair conventions, at the same time remain
ing "iree from all pledges but for the good
OF the cause, the State and the people"