Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1884-02-07

promises the desired ends. Hence,
they are naturally republicans.
Concerning Conventions, will say,
that | do not wholly approve of them,
but see nothing better that can be
done. There will unquestionably be
some organization of the different par
ties and some method employed by
which to obtain the viewsof the men,
bers as to who are the most available
men to put to the front as standard
bearers. Now, il we could get the un-
biased opinions of each member with
out having to take them through the
medium of Others, it would be better.
The ideas upon which the Crawford
System is based, seem sound, yet, when
put to practice it has been found i'm
practicable That irrepressible indi-
vidual, the wire-puller. is found every
where. If both parties should agree
to abandon all system and have free
races, open to all corners (when this
occurs look for the millennium we
would undoubtedly meet him at every
turn. Senex has only to ask any Of
our old citizens to learn that there
was no organized opposition to de-
mocracy in ST. Marys from 1860 to
1870. If the nominations of any par
ty become too bad tor decent men to
support, we may always expect the
better clements in both p,.r.ias to
unite and defeat them. (BourbOns
and Poker-Jacks of both parties are
Of course excepted.)
"Senex' will always find me sup
porting retrenchment and reform in
all branches Of our government-coun-
ty, State and National-yet, | do not
propose to join in every so-called eff
fort for reform, knowing that many
are mere traps to turn one set of men
out, simply to put others in, while
some are merely retrogressions and
not advancements. ! believe in man
aging all of orr public affairs upon
common business principles. Save
wherever possible, waste nothing, but
whenever an increased outlay will
materially benefit the community, |
think it should be made. Lop off
useless offices, reduce salaries, or fees
that 60 as salaries to the point, that
the same work would command in
private business. But let our roads
be put in thorough condition and kept
up. And, by all means, literally
support our public schools. Three
Commissioners suppose will answer
as well as five.
Our taxes are about the same they
were IS years ago, and cannot see
how they can be reduced to any con-
siderable extent under the same laws
and regulations, Doubtless some un-
just and exhorbitant charges have
been paid for services performed, but
| do not believe any more than here
tofore. 1t is unfair to compare a IA
vorable year with an unfavorable one,
but take four, six or eight consecutive
years, weigh the attending circum-
stances carefully and judge thereby.
Would like to see the total amount Of
taxes levied, the basis of taxation, as
well as the area of square miles Of
those counties held up to us as models
of low taxes before accepting all that
is implied in the statements made, for
the rate Of taxation proves nothing.
The principle that property should
bear the direct burden of taxation for
the support of the government has
been settled too long in this country
to be easily shaken now. Labor,
which renders property valuable, bears
its portion indirectly, and as every
laborer, who has any manhood ex-
poets some day to be a taxpayer him
self, we may naturally look for that
Justice to others which he claims for
himself. AS the road law and per
capita tax proposed by 'Senex are in
violation of these principles We can
rec no justice in them.
And now, Messrs. Editors, would
be glad to hear how FIVE men, act
ing as County Commissioners, can by
saving few dollars make such ma
terial difference in the welfare of our
people; or how the reduction Of few
cents in the rate oftaxation can make
the lands more valuable or fertile.
| can see no connection whatever.
Would it not be better for our citi-
gems to examine carefully each item
of expenditure, and insist upon RI
gid economy in the handling of the
peoples money! | mean intelligent
economy, not parsimony. And also
turn their attention more to i'm prov