Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1889-10-04
State Democratic Platform.

The representatives of the Democratic
party of Maryland, in State convention
assembled heartily reaffirm the platform
adopted by the national Democratic con-
vention of 1888, at st. Louis, and with un-
abated confidence in the truth and final
triumph of the political principles announc-
ed in that admirable document, pledge the
party in this State to renewed and vigorous
efforts in their support.
TRUSTS CONDEMNED.
They unite with their Democratic breth-
rem in our sister States in pointed condemna-
ton of the vast combinations Of capital in
many of the most important and necessary
branches of industry and business, which,
under the misleading name of trusts" have
inflicted such serious injury upon the peo-
Pile, and which, unless arrested in their pow
eriul organizations, will create great and
alarming distress by limiting the supply
and ruinously enhancing the price of many
articles of prime necessity at the mere pleas
ure of the managers of these illegal comb
nations. Vigorous measures should be taken
to check this great and growing evil.
A PLEDGE OF ECONOMY.
In the management Of our State affairs
they pledge the party to continuance of
strict economy in every department of the
government and to a close and careful scru-
tiny OF all receipts and expenditures, so
that no abuses in the collection and dis
bursement of the public money may he per-
mitted to exist. They congratulate the
State that under Democratic rule for TWEEN
ty-two years its credit has been so admira
bly, and highly maintained, and that under
the provisions of an act o: the last Legisa-
ture more than four millions of dollars of
the public debt have been refunded by the
Governor, Comptroller and Treasurer upon
favorable terms, and with saving of $780,
600 in annual interest.
ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY
Bearing IN mind that in the thirteen years
that have elapsed since the last general as
sessment Of property IN this State many and
great changes in values have taken place,
and that much OF the property of individuals
and corporations which ought to contribute
its fair proportion to the proper administra-
ton of the government of the State and of
the several counties and the city of Balti-
more now wholly or in large part escapes
asse ssment and taxation, they declare thata
new asse ssmcnt is now demanded in order
that the burdens of taxation may be equally
distributed in accordance with the plain ar
ticle of the bill of rights.
HIGH LIQUOR LICENSE.
In dealing with the important question of
taxation for State and local purposes they
declare that power should be conferred by
appropriate legislation upon the city of Bal
timore and other municipalities to raise rev.
enue for local purposes by additional licenses
to carry on such branches of business or
trade or to conduct such occupations as are
now required 10 be licensed for purposes of
State revenue, but shall in no way deprive
the State treasury of the revenue derived
from licenses MS are now or may hereafter
be provided by the legislature OF this State
BY such an enlargement Of municipal power
the rate Of local taxation in the city OF Bal
timore and in some OF our other cities and
chartered towns may be materially reduced
without lessening the revenue of the State
and without injustice or oppression TO indi-
viduals. BY a judicious adjustment OF Ii
censes to sell liquor, with the superadded
restrictive features which experience else
where has proved to be salutary and effec
tual, such legislation should be made to sub
serve the double purpose of reducing the
rate OF taxation on property, to the great
relief of the people, and at the same time OF
largely removing from our midst the de
grading and Obstructive vice OF intemper
ance.
PURE ELECTIONS WANTED.
Recalling with just pride the reforms in
the laws relating to the registration OF voters
and to the elective franchise which Demo
cratic Legislatures have enacted, the faith
of the party is now distinctly pledged to a
further and more careful review of this fun
damental and most vital subject, so that at
the coming session of the General Assembly,
following the good example set by many OF
our sister States, stringent provisions may
be adopted for the purpose OF preserving
more thoroughly the purity OF the ballot-box
by preventing bribery, fraudulent colonial
ton of voters, repeating and all other of,
lenses against the elective franchise, and
also that such amendments Of our existing
registration law may be made as will mate
rally reduce the cost, while not impairing
the efficiency of its execution. In this CON
nection they favor the passage OF a thorough
primary election law 50 drawn as 10 secure
absolute fairness at primary elections, and
containing adequate and effectual provisions
against violence, fraud and all corrupt prac-
tices by which the will of the majority may
be falsifled, thwarted or ignored.
RIGHTS OF CoLoRED PEOPLE.
They declare their sincere and determined
purpose to recognize and enforce all the
civil and political rights OF the cOlored PEG
pie of this State, but while thus earnestly
resolved to see To it that in their persons and
property they shall be fully and thoroughly
protected, and that the present liberal pro
visions for the education OF their children
shall he maintained, they insist that the
schoo,s tor the white and colurcd children
shall be kept separate and distinct, and they
will vigorously resist any and all attempts to
change the existing law 80 as to introduce
mixed schools Tor both white and colored
children.
CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL.
As is well known, the disastrous freshets
of May and June last wrecked the Chesa
peake and Ohio Canal The company is
now without business, revenue or credlt,and,
notwithstanding the most earnest and per
sistent efforts on the part Of its president
and directors, it has been unable 10 procure,
in any shape or upon any terms, sufficient
money to repair the canal and put it in con.
dilion for navigation, so that all transporta-
ton on it has absolutely ceased. Five sue
cessive coupons, amounting To $4,000, on
the $500, 600 of repair bonds issued under
the act OF 1878. chapter 50, are now overdue
and unpaid, and by the terms Of that act and
the mortgage given in accordance with its
provision the holders OF a majority Of these
bonds may at any moment sell the canal at
public auction, and may also at once obtain
decree OF court appointing receiver to
take possession. No help can DC expected
from the Stale because by the constitution
she is prohibited from making any adj
vances in aid Of works Of public improve
ment. But, under existing circumstances,
unless the private interests involved can be
induced to come to the rescue by providing
the money required TO restore the canal aud
its works a foreclosure sale in the near future
seems to be inevitable. TO avoid this unfor
tunate result, attended as it will most proba-
bly, be by the permanent abandonment of the
canal as a water way, the bOarl Of public
works are earnestly urged TO co operate with
these private interests in any reasonable
proposition To repair and restore it. II neces-
sary they should not hesitate TO appoint as
president and directors, upon the recon-
mendation Of these private interests, any
competent and responsible men who will
give satisfactory guaranty of their willing
ness and ability to raise the money necessary