The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-12-19
Proposed Raid on the State Treasury

Siuer plans lOI Hd'iuS g PiNPNA
exhibit at the Columbian Worlds FAIR at
Chicago. The gathering was in response
to invitations issued by Mayor Latrobe.
Those present seemed to be of one mind
in favor of the most creditable exhibit pos
sible to make There was similar una
nimity, also, in regard to the propriety OF
the Legislature making an appropriation
for the purpose Indeed, those who took
active part in the proceedings talked as
though there was no question about the
Legislature making an appropriations
was only necessary for a committee to as
certain the scope and cost Of the exhibit,
present bill indicating the one and specl-
flying the other and the Legislature would
promptly, without discussion or considera-
ton, pass it A resolution was offered and
unanimously passed, without comment,
that a bill appropriating sum, not less
than 100000, be prepared and submitted
to the Legislature
The question of the power OF the LeSls-
lature to make any such an appropriation
was not once spoken of, except that Mayor
Latrobe incidentally remarked that an APP
propriation was made for the Centennial
Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. That
appropriation was but sl5,OOO, and the
exposition was held in the proper place for
the event it was to celebrate These two
facts, probably, disarmed any opposition
there was to the appropriation, but did not
establish its constitutionality. Our organic
law will be searched in vain for any war
rant to appropriate the public money for
an exhibit at worlds fair. By expen-
ding it no purpose for which governments
are organized will be subserved, and moth
ing but a Federalistic latitudinarian con-
struction can stretch the constitution to
cover the appropriation.
If the state is to deiray the expense of
Maryland exhibit, the plan would expand
beyond the appropriation. The schemes
outlined by some of the promoters are very
comprehensive, and large salary list would
necessarily follow. Ifthe state undertakes
to pay the expenses Of an exhibit, and the
enthusiasts who are now promoting the
scheme manage it, an appropriation OF
100000 by the Legislature of 1892
would have to be followed by another APP
preparation by the Legislature of 1894 to
cover the deficit certain to be created.
The fact that there is no warrant in the
constitution for the expenditure Of public
money for such a purpose should be sutfl-
cient to thwart the contemplated raid upon
the treasury. Members of the General
Assembly take an oath to uphold the con-
stitution, and so do Governors, and it is
difficult to understand how the one cat
recommend an appropriation or the other
vote for it, when its constitutiOnallty Is
questioned by the opponents of state aid
and not defended by its advocates. The
most claimed by its advocates Is an Implied
power. derived from the fact that govern
ments were organized for the general good.
Even were this deduction correct, the APP
preparation would still be without the pale
of legality The general good will not be
subserved by an exhibit at Chicago. The
benefits will all accrue, if there be any, to
our manufacturing interests. Agriculture
will not profit by it, and it has already
been too heavily burdened to sustain other
interests. 1t has been literally crushed by
Federal system of taxation for the bene-
fit of manufacturers and those engaged in it
are restless under the imposition. Their
indignation at the oppression and their
protest have recently been manifested in all
parts of the country, and Maryland farmers
will not quietly submit to appropriations
of state money to aid further those who
have grown prosperous at their expense.
Those who desire to exhibit their wares
and goods at Chicago should pay the cost,
and not call upon those who have moth
ing to expose to aid in defraying their
expenses. A state appropriation carries
with it, too, the idea of paternal govern
ment "a theory entirely inconsistent
with the principles upon which our social
fabric was erected, and repugnant to all
sentiments of individual independence and
self reliance When the state undertakes
to do for its citizens that which they ought
to do for themselves, individual energy
relaxes, manhood dwarfs, and the citizens
descend to mere dependents on the state
for aid and guidance.
This appeal for state aid has been hasty
conclusion. Itwas born Of consciousness
of our states Importance and pride to
equal if not Guido our sister commonwealth
in an exposition of our resources, our skill
and our capabilities When the matter is
properly considered the illegality and impro-
priety will be apparent to the great major
ity of the people, it is hoped, and the bill
TO appropriate 100000 of the states
money be unfavOrably acted upon.
Maryland is in no condition to make
such large expenditure, even if there
were no constitutional barriers and other
valid reasons to the contrary. She has
public debt, and her outstanding bonds
should be cancelled as speedily as possible
and interest charges stopped. Because
about half of the states have appropriated
money to make an exhibit at Chicago, is
no reason why Maryland should. There
will be many regrets over their action after
the enthusiasm of the hour is passed and