The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-10-26
The Republican Platform.


The local Republican platform demands,
among other things, that
"The county printing be let to the lowest
responsible bidder"
1t advocates this plan instead of what it
terms ''the present method of favoritism
Let us look into this matter little, so that it
may be better understood by the public.
The county printing in Carroll, by which
is understood the annual publication of the
county statement by the Commissioners, and
some minor publications, is published for the
information of the people. For this purpose
the Commissioners selected the two papers of
most general circulation, as the law intended.
To do otherwise would not give proper pub
licity, and would be a violation Of the spirit
of the law as well as an injustice to the pub
lie. This method was practiced for many
years, long before any other papers we're
established in the county. There has been
no change in this respect. The allegation OF
'iavoritism," contained in the platform,
therefore. is 4 sheer falsehood, To give the
county printing or advertising to every ephem-
eral sheet started in the county would be
violation of law, aud an injustice to the pub
lie. because such information shoald be given
to them through the papers having the most
general circulation, so as to reach the largest
number Of them. But few years ago some
/ legal advertising was given by an individual
to one Of these newspaper ephemera, and
/ paid for in advance, but before the advertise
meut was completed the paper was defunct,
aud the work had to be all done over again
at additional cost to the advertiser.
The fact is that that part Of the platform
was blow aimed az the s. tiHsl by some OF
the hackers of the CuroiHoaiaR. 1t is more
+ than probable that very few Of the delegates
TO the county Republican convention knew
what that par, Of their platform meant. or
they would not have voted for it.
The county printing in Carroll for the year
ended June 3oih last. WAS S62I3l. But
three counties in the State pay less for the
necessary printing and advertising to be
done, and they are Caroline, Calvert and
! Worcester, the smallest and least populous
Of the counties Of the State, Ia the first two
the printing cost 500. and in the latter
S59S.12. Carroll has an a>sessabie basis
greater than all Of them. aud popuiAtiou
nearly equal TO al three combined, and ye,
It's printing costs bat little more. In Cecil
the county printing, last year, amounted
10 $500, in Hartford TO $l,9OI4s, ia
keat TO S2,oi5. So. in Charles to $500, in
s. Mary 10 81. Isl. in Montgomery to 81 ,4i3,
IN Frederick 10 sl,S5l62 some bills wcr,
levied for the year previous, when the printing
amounted 10 Sl,SoGl; in Washington TO 81,
49,. l., and ia Baltimore county 10 81, COS. IL.
n Cecil the printing is pat out TO the
loses, bidder, and the result rs bin OF 81 .spo
In Prince George county The pria,iag IS also
ls; 10 the lowest bidder, aud the cost there {.
much higher than IN Carroll, though the
6gur,s are not uou a; hauG
The coauiy printing IA Carroll, Is we have
sbovn above, is as iow. or nearly SO, as that
Of che sgoalics. eoau,y "a the state. lis done
AZ she sarae rates charged TO individuals, and
on fair business principles. Il is always an
aucrFtaia quantity and could no, be estimated
wigh precision, or With equity let TO com.
pe,5aye b.ddins ], has been done in %
eoasJy in the state except 10 sabserye the
interests Of iacsion, aad Is attempted heFc
only ibEosgh similar motive, and 10, ia the
pebble interest