The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-03-13
b E L A 1 r, M d.
Let Us Have a Campaign of Education

AoG US nave u campaign Oh EDUCATION
The approaching political campaign in this
State, apart from the effort to secure the best
men for the various offices to be filled, should
be pre-eminently one of education. Import
ant constitutional amendments are proposed
and these should not be voted on without due
elaboration and careful consideration OF
their probable effect on the prosperity of our
State or the welfare of its citizens individual
ly.
For the purpose of turning public inquiry
10 these matters, the Baltimore Sun recon-
mends to the "public-spirited, intelligent, en-
ergetic young Democrats of the State" the
organization of associations for the purpose
of conducting a campaign of education by
which the people of the State may come to
understand fully the bearings of the import
ant measures which will come before the
next Legislature. and send men to Annapolis
who will represent and be capable of ad-
vancing the best interests of their constitu-
ents.
The Sun enumerates as the three subjects
Ofgreatest Importance to the people of Mary
land-taxation, the oyster industries and the
proposed constitutional change regulating
the powers, duties and the terms of Office of
county commissioners.
With reference to the first of these the San
thinks a new assessment is absolutely de-
manded, and it favors, also, the proposed con-
stitutional amendment of Article Is of the
Declaration of Rights, to bring about more
rational and equitable adjustment alike of
the basis and rules of taxation of property in
this State"
The oyster question, it says, has become
one of the first Importance. The supply of
this delicious bivalve is decreasing and with
its decrease large source of industry and
profit to our citizens is passing away. Eff
fective legislation is needed to protect the
oyster industry from destruction.
With regard to the amendment affecting
county commissioners, the Sun says an i'm
proved system of county government has
derived additional importance from the need
everywhere felt for better roads and other To-
business methods in the management of coun-
ty finances. Much of the time of the Legisla-
ture is wasted in considering bills which af-
feet one county alone, and county delegates
are often compelled to trade their votes on
measures affecting the entire State in order to
prevent opposition to their local bills. The
amendment proposed to the Constitution, if
adopted, would enable the Legislature to en-
power the County Commissioners to decide
many matters concerning local administration
which now come before the Legislature.
The delegates to the Legislature, being freed
from any supposed necessity of sacrificing
principle for expediency, would be more in
dependent in their speech and votes, looking
to the people of the whole State for common
datiop or disapproval of their acts.
The Baltimore Morning Herald says:
The Legislature cannot and does not give
adequate attention to the mass of local bills
coming before it. Quite to the contrary,
they are decided upon by a committee usual
ly composed of the county's representatives
in the Assembly from which the troublesome
matters come. As final consequence, the
Laws of Maryland" are meaningless jum-
BILE of local regulations which refer TO indi-
vidual counties and .have no bearing upon
the rest.
The animus of this "fourlh amendment" is
to place the General Assembly in position to
bring order out of chaos in county govern
ment. 1t involves the establishment of the
board of commissioners on substantial basis
where they shall serve for longer period
than now, shall have enlarged powers, and
shall be governed by code of simple and
effective regulations which will amount to a
uniform law throughout the commonwealth.
From such fundamental beginnings is like
ly to be evolved a strong, efficient and salts
factory county government-far removed
from the slow-going, superannuated machine
now running at the Maryland county-seats.
We admit that the amendment presupposes q
great change, but it is in the direction of
progress.
The Suns suggestion with regard to cam
paign of education in the State is a good one
Turn on the light" and let the people see
and decide for themselves what is for their
best interests. Knowing this they will GER
tainly endeavor to send to the Legislature
men who are able and willing to carry out
their views.
We heartily commend the suggestions of
our great city luminary.