The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-02-18
Come up to the Scratch.

If it is not impOssibible to impress
upon the present Legislature the
necessity of dealing with questions
of great dublic importance from a
public standpoint rather than in the
interest of private individuals or
political schemerS and bosses, it will
aid very materially to the sense of
security the people are entitled to
feel in the laW-making body of the
State. Not only are they entitled, in
general sense, to have the best and
most conscientious service of those
who haye been chosen to represent
them at Annapolis, but in special
sense in the case of the Legislature
now in session, for the reason that it
was elected under the solemn pledge
of the dominant party that it would
formulate into laws the reforms con-
fessedlY needed. We do not, of
course, mean to say that these duties
and pledges will in the end be disre-
garded, but it is painfully apparent
that up to this time, at least, legisla-
ton is hauling in its tracks, and so
far as it has moved at all, moved by
40 means surely. Take, for example,
the bill so recently rushed through
the Senate extending the terms of
our mayor and city council, and now
recalled from the House for further
consideration. 1t was manifest from
the beginning that in its present
shape it is an ill-advised measure,
effecting such radical change that it
is impossible to suppose that it is in
tended to promote the public good
exclusively.
Again, the election law, which,
more than any other measure, is
hedged about with promises, drags
tsslow length along, until it is openly
charged that those who shape so
much of our legislation are deyisiDg
means to keep the word of promise
to the ear and break it to our hopes.
The main feature of the bills now
| pending are substantially the same,
and ought to be enacted into law.
Why hesitate in order to gain some
| party advantage in law. oSteDSiDly
intended to promote fair play? The
PURPOSE in view ought -t1zz,llSa- "a sea., -,
fair registration and election, and
not to give TO the party in power an
undue advantage oyer the minority.
This is not what the party promised
when it sued for votes in the last
campaign, and whether it suits the
aspirations of certain politicians or
not, the people are honest enough to
demand that the pledges be redeemed
in fullness and good faith. Nor do
the affairs of the Chesapeake and
Ohio canal seem to be progressing as
satisfactorily as the public would
like. II is a singular fact that the
aid proposed to be extended by those
who ought to be best informed upon
the subject is just such as the consti-
tuition prohibits, while the solution
Of the problem, which violates no
constitutional obligation, is not sup
posed to be received with favor. We
have DEVOTED some space heretofore
to the discussion of the constitutional
question, and our conclusion has been
that the State can neither buy the
unproductive bonds of the canal for its
sinking fund nor advance the money
to pay interest upon them.
But whatever is done for the relief of
our canal let it be done with some re-
gard to the best interests of the State,
and not to prolong burden upon the
public, simply because it is thought
to be necessary to the success of the
party in power that places shall be
supplied at the public expense for its
hangers.on and dependents. The
Democratic party needs no such Dol.
stering up in this State. Its worst
enemies to-day are in its own ranks,
and are the very men who are seek.
ing to strengthen its machinery at
the cost of public confidence. 1t can
readily take care of itself if honestly
dealt with, but if legislation is to be
manipulated to keep it in power, and
the State treasury Slapped to reward
its henchmen, it will find when its
day of trial again comes that its mis-
deeds will be remembered and its
promises laughed to scorn,-BdLt1-
more Sun.
MIR. Blaine will not Allow the use Of
His Name as a Candidate.