The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1892-02-12


ture is over both Houses seem determined to
settle down to business SO far as the duty OF
listening to applicants for appointment to
Office will allow
The Legislature is disposed, apparently, to
yield TO general demand from all parts of
the State for reassessment of property. 1t
is said to be the prevailing opinion, however,
that the policy should be to make simple
revaluation of all real and personal property
In the State in manner similar to that pur-
sued in 1876, leaving the consideration of
matters germane thereto, such as the taxation
Of mortgages, railroad questions. Sc, to be
considered in separate bills.
~
The consideration of the bill to repeal the
law providing that one of the United States
Senators shall always be chosen from the
Eastern Shore has been postponed until
March 10Th. 1t is not likely that the law
will be repealed at this session.
~
j A movement is on foot for calling Con-
stitutional Convention. We can see no press
ing demand for this In the first place con-
vention would involve an enormous expense,
and secondly, while there are in the State
men of equal ability to those who framed the
Constitution of 1867, it is not likely that con-
vention which would assemble now would be
as free from partisarship or outside influences,
as was that convention, or that the result of
their labors would be constitution as good
as the one we now have.
The Constitution of State ought to be re-
garded as sacred instrument, not to be
lightly changed to suit the passing exigencies
of the moment. Otherwise it has no more
binding force or permanency than an act Of
the Legislature, which any succeeding Legis-
lsture may set aside. The present Constitu-
ton is broad enough in its scope to authorize
the Legislature to pass laws TO secure equal
taxation-which is the alleged reason for q
new Constitution. The real reason, we fear,
is that there may be new distribution of
offices. If our Constitution is not sufficiently
explicit or mandatory on any point affecting
the rights of the people it can be.amended,
as it has been amended, in manner in which
the instrument itself provides.
~
The subject of tariff reform came promi-
nently before the House, on Thursday of last
week, in q resolution offered by Mr.. Laird, OF
Montgomery county, declaring it to be the
sense of the House "that the House of Repre-
sentatives of the United States Congress, now
under the control of the Democratic party,
should deal with the subject of tariff reform,
whether by general bill or otherwise, upon
the broad lines marked out by President
Cleveland's message in December, 1887, and
the Mills bill, in order that the party may
enter upon the great contest of 1892 with q
definite policy, which will convince the
country that it does not mean to take any
backward step, and that its faith in the COM
nonsense and conscience of the people is
unshaken."
This resolution commends itself to ma
jority of the Democrats of the State, who are
in earnest in their desire for reform of the
tariff and the denomination of ex.President
Cleveland. We can not see why Demo
cratic Legislature should hesitate for a mo-
ment to place itself upon record in favor Of
Mr.. Laird's resolution.
The Maryland representatives in Congress,
being interviewed on the subject of the Laird
resolution, declared unequivocally in its favor.
Col. Stump expressed his surprise at the
necessity for such resolution, and added
that he believed no general tariff bill can be
passed at this session, but that some relief may
be given to our overtaxed people by passing
separate bills presenting for consideration of
the Senate and executive the most glaring
cases of injustice, oppression and unconsti-
tional robbery of our long suffering people,
and let them take the responsibility of refus-
ing the relief demanded.
-
Many petitions from business men and
others have been handed in to the Legislature
praying that equitable relief may be given
to the bondsmen of ex Treasurer Archer, and
bill for such relief has been presented in the
Senate by Mr.. Robinson. 1t provides that
the sureties shall only be held liable for de-
faults which occurred during Archer's first
two years as Treasurer.
There is an almost unanimous sentiment in
Hartford county in favor of such relief. 1t
is recognized as probable that if the bonds.
men be compelled to make up the large sum
required they will call in their investments
upon many mortgages now overdue, and this
would occasion untold distress among worthy
farmers who are working with all their might
and hoping for return of better times, which
will enable them to pay off their mortgages.
Leave TO introduce a similar bill in the
House has been granted to DR.. Hayward
~
The proposed bill to reduce the number of
County Commissioners for Hartford county
from five TO three has not yet been intro
duced. Senator Robinson, to whom the
resolutions of the Hartford Farmers Conven-
ton were formally presented, says he is
anxious not only TO do what may seem to be
for the best interests of the county, but like
wise what majority of his constituents de-
sire. This appears TO be the feeling, also, of
the other members of the Hartford delegation.
There is, without doubt a difference of
opinion in the county on the subject, and the
delegation is seeking to ascertain the wishes
of those whom they represent. Some law
will have to be passed, under the new amend
ment to the Constitution, and perhaps this
may take shape of retaining five Commission
sioners and frightening their terms of office.
The plan of having the Commissioners dis
tributed throughout the county is good one,
but system appears to have taken root in
the Commissioners Office by which each
member of the board holds himselfresponsible
only for the affairs of his own district and
does not concern himself, except in very
general way, about other districts. In this
way the people do not get what they have
right to expect, namely, the combined wisdom
of the entire board operating in every part of
the county. If this defect were overcome, the
present system would be all that is needed.
~
The Senate bill to authorize tax collectors
In Hartford county to bond in trust companies
was on its third reading, on the 4th instant,
when it was recommitted and ordered to be
printed.
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