The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-04-07

friends at their old stands that his
heart ached to be once more with his
separated brethren. The old love
returned, the thought of being once
more boss possessed him. and with
the zeal OF such persons he was FORE
most in the projects demanded by
the managers. But, some one asks,
why did he, at the very moment
that there was need of reformer
"Within the party. and when he sc
easily could have used his power and
influence as a legislator to show up
the corruption of the old ring, go
back to those he had so recently
hated? Why. indeed! Whenever
Mr.. Cotton publishes his confessions,
a chapter on the subject will be in.
teresting reading to his friends, and
perhaps also to his enemies. The
fact remains that he has made his
submission, that he has been admit
ted into the circle, that on the floor
OF the House he glOried to be again
under the banner of bossism and the
rule of the men whom he has not
hesitated to accuse of some very rep
rehensibe practices. He is with
them now, but his assistance did not
avail them to pass the gerrymander-
ing and other darling projects.
RETRENCHING THE WRONG WAY.
What the managers aud the cham.
pions meant last fall, when they
promised the people that this would
be an economical legislature, a re-
trenching body that would see that
the peoples money was properly ex-
pended, etc, may be seen by its ex-
penditures. The last Legislature APP
propriated S95 900 for the ordinary
expenses of the legislature of 1888.
But this was not enough; hence a
few days ago deficiency bill of $685.
600 passed both houses, making the
entire expenses of the session S121,-
600. In 1880, the first session under
| Governor HamiltOn's administration
the expenses were 100000. The
Governor. provoked at this waste of
public money, fired his famous bomb
shell, in which he gave detail of
these expenditures, and called upon
the people to rise against the men re-.
spOnsible for it. The result of the
next election was the defeat of the
bosses candidates in such strong
counties as Montgomery and Har.
ford ; the showing under of fayorite
senator in Talbot county, and last,
but not least, the stampede of the
bosses in this city and their nominal
ton of Governor Whyte for may
or. The legislature of 1882, perceiy-
ing that the people were aroused,
managed to get along with an expen-
diture of S105,000, a reduction of
$4,000. Governor Hamilton con.
tinued in his good work, and in 1884,
when he left the Executive Mansion,
the expenditures were reduced TO
S1O1, 900, and the legislature was
none the worse for it. But as soon
as the eye of the Ex-Governor was
Withdrawn, the old era of waste re-
turned, and at the last session, an
avowedly profiigate one, the expen-
ses amounted to $4,000. But even
this is exceeded by the present legis-
lature with its appropriation of S12l,-
600. The number of members is the
same as it was in 1884. when the ex-
penditures were only SOL 900. This
is sample of the reform and re-.
trenchment promises of the bosses.
Reflect also on the printing scan
dial of the session. In 1880, when the
ring combination was at its worst.
when the old ring and the new were
welded together. when. as has since
been admitted, the printer had to
dizzy with the lobby. and was elected
by a caucus as a reward for partisan
services, the printing bill was S3S, 900.
Governor Hamilton denounced it as
specimen of boss extravaganza, and
strong as the bosses then were, sue
ceeded in having it cut down in 1882
to $4,000. But Governor Hamilton
insisted that this was too high. He
labored necessarily to bring about a
reform in this branch, and before he
vacated the governors chair had the
satisfaction of seeing the Printing
bill cut down to $4,000 for the ses-
sion of 1884. In 1886. after short
breathing spell. the bosses managed
to bring up the Printing bill to a
trifie over $4,000. But in this ses-
sion, the session which the managers
predicted would be distinguished for
economy and retrenchment, the prin-
ter claims that according to contract
rates he is entitled to $40, 900, and the
legislature jumps at his offer to COM
promise for $25. 500! What next?
WHAT THEY TRIED TO DO.
1t is unnecessary to go over the
record of this body, which, in the
Sc