Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-04-28
DemooratIc Editors Meet.

AsuINOEh
The Democratic editors Of the
State met in Baltimore yesterday at
Hotel Rennert, and after consider
able discussion adopted an address
to the people, embracing many 20
Iitical and economical issues of the
day. Among the local interests of
the address was the following
"The chief matters OF State concern
are primary election law, new assess
ment law, the perfection and extension
OF the new ballot law, the preservation
of the oyster interests and the proposed
constitutional amendments A new AS
sessment law is needed, for great in
equalities have grown up since the last
general valuation Farming lands have
deprecated in earning capacity and sell
ing value, and not only is new assess
ment needed, but new sources OF reve-
nue. should be discovered, and true val
uation of personal property of all kinds
Oe made. In this connection we should
not fall into the error of supposing that
agriculture can be wholly relieved by
state legislation. 1t is not state and To-
cal taxation that has reduced agriculture
TO the verge OF bankruptcy, but the Re
publican policy of protection enforced
by the federal government That poll
cy not only restricts the markets for the
products of agriculture, but il places the
agriculturist at the mercy of monopolies
and trusts. which are daily eating out
his substance
Here, again, the national Importance
OF the approaching campaign is appar
emit. Maryland ought TO send tariff re-
formers TO the United States Senate to
aid in the struggule for tax reduction in
the interest of agriculture, the mainstay
OF the country, the basis of all wealth
Most OF the ills that affiict the farmer
can be abated by economy in public ex-
penditures and lessening of taxation,
with consequent freer trade and widen
ing Of the markets for the products of
the farm.
The condition of the valuable oyster
beds of the state calls for prompt action
1t Is unnecessary to discuss the cause of
the decline of this important interest
We must recognize its condition, and
deal efficiently with the question. An
intelligent comprehension of the subject
will result in the restoration of the
beds, revival of the oyster interest in
al its ramitications, and, at the same
time, add greatly to the revenues of the
state. The recent discussion of the
question has aroused public interest, and
we have no doubt that the next Legisla.
ture will be able to deal with the matter
satisfactorily. The Democratic state con
vention should take this subject in hand
and appoint a committee TO draft a law
Tor submission to the next Legislature,
and the same should be done with refer
ence to a new assessment law.
After the adjournment of the edi-
tors they were invited to lunch
with the Hon Frank Brown. at
Hazazer's Hall, on Franklin street,
about two blocks away, where they
were royalty entertained by the sx-
Postmaster Of Baltimore, who made
very fitting address of welcome,
in which he said he had taken this
opportunity of meeting the editors of
the State to thank them publicly for
the great service they had rendered
the Maryland State Exposition aud
to him as its head, ia the summer
and fall of 1889. Mr.. Brown re-
fcrred to the great industries Of
Maryland. it's resources and its
many advantages. He never al
luded once to politics or to the can
didacy for gubernatorial honors. In
conclusion Mr.. Brown said
Before closing l have one more appeal
TO make TO you, in my official capacity
as President of the Maryland State Ag.
ricultural and Mechanical Association,
and that is that you pledge yourselves,
one with the other to give enthusiastic
support TO the efforts that will be made
by the citizens of Maryland to present
her resources, product, manufactures and
natural advantages. at the Worlds Fair,
at Chicago, In 1898.
Many speeches we're made by
members of the press, all of which
we're highly complimentary to
Farmer Brown" as he vas term
cd, aud much enthusiasm prevailed
during the evening. Many Of the
newspaper men declared themselves
eluphatically in favor Of s.Farmer
Brown" and said they would use
all honorable means to secure his