The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1895-05-24
SENATOR HAY Is.
Mr.. ! VI. Street. President -I~Sorim'oI
n.,o,,,}:. ErI;fois lt nyJ'iIjpBI.

SENATOR HAYES.
MIR. j NJ Sti ee:t. President -I~Soeim'oR
Democratic Editors Of Maryloild:
Sir-As have heretofore written you
to Belair, have been unexpectedly called
to Annapolis to argue case III the Court
of Appeals on Wednesday and Thursday,
Nav u and rs, and hence will be prevent
ed, much to my regret, from accepting the
kind invitation of your Association to
address it on the State issues involved IN
the coming election.
NV own views on the State issues IN
volved in the coming election have so re
Gently been given to the public that all /
could now say on this subject would be
but repetition of my published opinions.
| consider that the administration OF
our State Government by the Democratic
party has been such as to entitlc that
party to the unqualified approval of the
people Of this State. The honest purpose
which controls every State official to
faithfully discharge the trust committed
to his Keeping is known and recognized
by all.
There is but a single reform which the
Democratic party has not accomplished as
the public welfare reqdircd, and that Is
the passage of a law giving relief to the
people from the unfair discrimination in
taxation.
There are reasons which may be given
in extenuation of the party's failure in
the past to accomplish this reform; but
there will be no excuse if the party fails
now, both in its platform and candidates,
to declare uncquivocallv for reasscssmcnt
and reform in orr system of taxation.
| believed that the people of this State
will and ought to condone the party :
omission as to this reform in the past
provided it ~ivcs an earnest of its intcn-
ton now, in the manner suggested OF. its
purpose to promptly pass the proper laws
to relieve the overburdcnel masses from
unfair and unequal taxes.
Living as | do in Baltimore city, the
great metropolis of our State, and with
the opportunity to know the sentiment Of
the people of this city on this question of
assessment, | unhesitatinglv say that not
per cent. of the'population is opposed to
a change in our tax system. The oppoSi-
ton to reassessmcnt is confined to a IA
vorcd few who profit by the existing laws.
Tho merchants of moderate
means and the workingmcn are united in
its favor. Capital-powerfu as it may be
can't defeat rcasscssmcnt in Baltimore
city. \ failure to give rcasse>smcnt will
the failure.
The statement that Baltimore city is
against rcasscssmcnt is absolutely false
and is industriouslv circulated by inter
ested persons and their agents. No party
can carry Baltimore city which is not hon
cstlv for the giving relief to the masses
from the excessive. unfair burdens Of UNI
equal taxation.
| have taken the liberty to say this much
as suggestive to your Association OF Dem
ocratic Editors, who must weld so much
power in shaping the course and policy Of
our party, with the hope that this great
power Will be exercised in having the
party make no mistake on thi, vital and
paramount issue.
Less than onc-half the wealth Of Mary
land to-day pays its own taxes and the
taxes of the part that escapes. The PEG
pie are just beginning to realize this and
refuse longer to submit to this Injustice,
The payment by the mas-e- Of their own
and other mems taxes i their grievance.
and with a determination born of Il pur-
pose to submit to no denial they are uni
ted in their efforts to obtain relief
There is one other suggestion: The eff
fort should he made by all true Democrats
who want above all things party success
to stop chickering's and personal and fac
tional disputes iii the party ranks We
want and must have "a united party. The
campaign should I've conducted ON high
or plane than personalities.
The good government our party has giv-
Ell the people of the State in the past
with It promise of a continuation of that
government in the future. with rcassc>>-
mcnt and reform in our system Of taxa
ton added should be the slogan to which
all lovaI Democrats from the mountains
to the sea will rally, and certain and
victory Will be assured next No