The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-02-24
Che Democratic aarueats.
WESTMINSTER, MD.
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY u, l89
Needless ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ment.


ment.
The upper house of legislative bodies was
formerly regarded as the conservative
branch, but in recent years the lower house
has been entitled to the honor Of possessing
whatever conservatism chat has been shown.
The United States Senate has long since
lost its reputation for conservatism, and by
its insistehce upon its amendments to APP
preparation bills has added greatly to the
expenditures of public money
The present Legislature of Maryland
does not seem TO have much conservatism
in either branch, and the lack of judicious
leadership is woefully apparent in both
houses.
Already appropriations beyond the or
binary have been made, and Cecil county
is about TO draw FROM the state treasury
some sos, 900 that is due her TO expend
in extending her railroad facilities If the
ordinary appropriations only were made
during the balance of the season, the APP
preparations already passed, together with
the S5S,00O belonging to Cecil, would
drain the treasury of all it can possibly
stand without increased taxation. But the
outlook is for largely increased appropria-
iions over those of ordinary years. On
Wednesday the Senate passed the Smith
free book bill without Il dissenting vote,
and the House on the same day received
favorable report on the proposed bicycle
road bill. The Smith free book bill car
ries All appropriation Of SIZE, 900, about
half that is actually needed, and the road
bill about 1000 more, If these bills
pass and become laws and one-half of the
other appropriations asked for are granted,
the treasury will become bankrupt
Aud in addition to these proposed ex
tr,lya.ances. AN assessment bill that is drawn
more 10 exempt property from taxation,
rather than to seek new sources of revenue
10 make up for the decrease in reality, Is
being pushed along. If the measures now
under consideration, carrying appropriations
and providing fora revaluation OF property,
are carried through, the result will be vastly
increased appropriations and vastly de-
creased assess,,ble basis. 1t would be far
better for the Legislature to pass the or
binary and usual appropriations and ad-
iourn, than to keep on the line 1t has been
II all property is not to be taxed, it is
useless to pass any assessment bill at all.
Ii would be folly toput the people to heavy
expense to revalue property, and have only
a decreased basis to show for the eKpendl-
ture. with increased tax rates TO carry on
county governments and consequent dis
content among the people. If the opposI-
ton To a fair and just assessment Is strong |
enough to prevent the passage of proper
bill, then defeat any BILL and let us go |
along as we have been. The people will |
be no worse off than they have been, and
will have saved at least 5000 900 that would |
have been paid to assessors and boards Of
control and review.
The Legislature adjourned on Wednes-
day until Monday next and the members
went to their respective homes. While
there they will learn more of public opln-
ion. and when they re-assemble 1t is hoped
wiser councils will prevail and halt be
called on needless appropriations, and that
the HAYES bill be amended 50 as to be
more in conformity to The provisions of the
Constitution.
When II new assessment was first DIS
cussed. some six years ago, there was no
real demand for it by the people. 1t was
rather a sentiment originating among those
who desired public employment as assessors
aud members of boards of control and re-
view. Bat the agitation was continued
until genuine sentiment among the peo-
ple was created. The rapid fall in real
estate values in the past three years has
intensified the sentiment for new vaua-
lion of property That demand was based
an the belief that new sources of revenue
eould be found and land be relieved oi
so,oe of lis burden. But if land is not to
&c relieved. The people wnRid vote strongly
AGAINST spending from three TO Eve thous- |
and dollars in each county 20 reduce as
sassments and make increased tax rates
necessary. They know that certain sum
mas to be raised To carry on couaty gov
ernments. They know that decreased
basis ineaas aa Increased tax rate and the
anoaal of their tax bills would be the same
as now. And they know, further, that 1t
sas,e new sources of revenue are not added
to make up for the decrease iG reality val
ues there is no sease in eKpendiRg money
10 have any new assessment at ALL
let there be more economy in public
expenditures, and if the Hayes bill cannot
be amended to tax all property, don't pass
auy assessment bsil n all.
A New Justice at Last.
Jf Senatorial courtesy had anything to