The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1892-01-01
Taxation, Public Roads and Elec-
ton Laws

Are Inc most vital QuestiOu6 Wutch o"O"t~
command the attention OF the Maryland
legislature this winter. Will these take
precedence of all others? The Farmers
Congress which is to meet in Baltimore on
Wednesday, January 18th, will discuss the
tax and road subject. What this meeting
will effect we are unable to say. What in
fiuence its action will have on the legislature
cannot be foretold. It's action in the past
has had SO little that it is nowhere visible.
AS an organization it is too looseto exert
much ifany influence where corporations
and political machines run counter TO its
g resolves"
It may be set down as fixed fact that any
innovations on the ancient methods of taxa
ton will be opposed by the legislature, be-
cause it is corporation legislature. All
the members are not the creatures Of the
corporation and the money power, but those
who hold in hand the machinery of party
are. and ii is the driver that directs the
team. There will be no tax law passed that
will distribute the burthens of taxation
eouitably. The wealth producers will be
made TO pay their 80 per cent of the taxes
still and the wealth absorbers and epjoyers
will 60 almost scot free as in the past. There
will have to be a stronger medicine pro-
yided and administered to reach the seat Of
the disease, than Farmers Association
that meets once year and RESOLVES" and
recommends to legislature which they
had no hand in forming except the barren
privilege of votiong for without choosing.
All legislators obey the will of those who
have and exercise the greatest power and
influence in making them. The people as
mass--as voters-have very little power in
creating our legislatures. They perform the
ceremmial part, the voting, like the little
boys who ring The bells under the priests
robe while he celebrates the mass, and have
no more power or responsibility in control
ling legislation than the boys haye in direct
ing the solemn service; nor will they ever
gain any more control in public concerns by
any such acephalous arrangement as this
imaginary Farmers Association which will
meet in Baltimore on the 18th instant.
The voter must be placed in control of the
primary meeting before he can have voice
that counts, in The make up ofthe tickets.
Under present conditions he is almost en-
tirely without controlling voice. When
the tickets are formed he is hopelessly in
The hands of the professional politicians
who follow politics for the money and the
Offices to be secured. Any political party
which has the least promise of success, under
our present primary system is wholly in the
hands of professional politicians, and they
are in the pay, or hope TO be, of corporations
and money syndicates always seeking class
laws to benefit the few at the expense Of the
many. A party like the prohibition party
that has no hope Or expectation in the pub
lie mind of eyer electing a candidate, be
the Office ever so humble, finds no difficulty
in nominating the very best material in
the party. But if they were ever able TO
forge 10 the front the same enemy would be
met with which has conquered the two old
parties and leads them captive. The
peoples only hope Of justice is 10 radical
change in our nominating methods, and
that can only be effected through primary
elections law which will give the voter the
power 10 choose from list OF the best men
in the county tn forming his party ticket.
The public roads has grown TO be one of
the most important questions 10 be Crap
pied by the legislatures of the States, and
this question is being agitated throughout
the entire country with the concensus Of
opinion that the matter should be taken hold
ofhy the State and a general law ofthe State
enacted creating uniform system for the
making and management ofpublic roads.
The roads are public property, free to be
used by every person in the State. They
are not the exclusive property of district
or county.
1t is admitted by all that the money
spent on the roads under the present man.
agement is wasted. There is no permanent
benefit derived from it, and single good
road has never resulted from it. Then why
continue it? Let US change ignorance and
bolch work for science and method. The
cities which handle all the country's pro-
ducts and toll them all heavily should con-
tribute to the expense of the roads, and the
wealthier portions of The State and weather.
citizens should contribute 10 common fund
for the common property of all, which the
country roads are.
Taxation, election laws and public roads
should engage the attention Of our legisla-
ture at its present session to the exclusion Of
less important concerns. but corporations
and private bills will consume almost the
entire time. The democratic party have
entire control of this legislature. If they
are the friends of the people as they profess
they will legislate for their interest. Ifthey
do not now they never will and the people
must look some where else for relief.
Neither would the republican party if
placed in power They have not done so
in any other State. The two old parties
join hands when ever there is movement
among the people which threatens them
with defeat, which proves there is free
masonry understanding between them
through their leaders.