The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1895-06-21
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
UPPER MARLBORO. June 10.

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MIR. EDIToE:-Thc time is fast approach
ING when the Democrats of the county will
be called upon to assemble in primary
meetings to give an expression of their
views as to the candidates for Governor
and Comptroller of the State. 1t is there
fore timely to discuss the merits of those
who have been mentioned as candidates.
1t is beyond question the all absorbing
issue is Il law for the rc-aSScSSmcnt of the
property of the State. All other conSid
crations will be in favor of that candidate,
who will best represent the desire of the
people Who is the man: But in this
connection another factor is to be taken
in account and that is who of those men
toned for the position is the most likely
to command the full vote of the entire
State. We must remember that there is Il
divided sentiment, upon the question of
the passage of such Il law, at all, and then
when the drafting of the law is taken in
hand, the difficulties in this direction are
increased \ law for raising revenue is
always open to severe criticism, and the
framing of such law is Il most delicate
task This is apparent upon the slightest
reflection. Our bill of ri ght> declares, that
all the property of the people of the State
shall bear its just proportion OF taxes.
This is simple and Il Just proposition, but
its exact application is surrounded with
difficulties. 1t is Just as much so. as the
preparation of a tariff law, in point of fact
it is nothing more nor less than tariff
law Now the Democratic party has been
charged with failure to redeem its oft re
peated pledges to the people, for the pass
age of IA law for "A re-aSSeSsment of the
property of the State. Our people are
familiar with the efforts of the last two
General Assemblies to pass such a law,
and the reason why there was IA failure.
The law passed in 1899 was vetoed by the
Governor and the act of 1894 after Il most
heroic fight by its advocates in the Senate.
was killed in the House Both these laws
were deemed too drastic in their make up,
they went too far, and if either had become
the law, it was feared that the effect
would have been detrimental to some of
the best interests of the State. Mr. HAYES,
who was the father and champion of both
these bills has become identified with the
law, and is looked upon by many as the
logical candidate for Governor. Too much
cannot be said in his favor, for honesty of
purpose. and the courage of his convict
ions. He is an able man, and an incor-
ruptibe one he would make us a good
Governor. But then the question occurs,
whether Mr.. Hayes from his pronounced
and well-known views upon the question
| of taxation. can rally to his standard all
| the different elements that 20 to make up
| a voting population: Would he not be
| somewhat discounted as a candidate, with
| the memory of his laws, that he SO Strenu-
| ouslv fought to have adopted. fresh in the
minds of the people. 1t is without doubt
| that he has MANY friends in the counties
| where the interests that are reached by the
provisions of his laws. do not exist We
| do not wish to be understood as offering
| plea of eNpedicncy against his candidacy
! but it is well-known that he has arrayed a
| most fearful opposition, in strong business
quarters. by his attitude upon the question
| of re-aSscSSmcnt We need a law for this
purpose, but it can be too harsh, there is
| little danger that it will be faulty in the
| opposite direction. We can have IA fair
| law we can have Il law that is :; vast i'm
| provemcnt upon the one now in force. and
| that is what the people want. 1t has been
! a mistake. in our judgment. to brand those
| who were opposed to some of the features
| of the Hayes bills. as taN-dod gers and tax
eaters This applied to a large and intlu-
entail class. and it is this class who have
| been offended. Now with the experience
of the efforts, in hand, of the last two ses-
sions of the Legislature, taken with the
fact of the Objectionable features that
| caused tnelf ,lcltal. lnt next 'tntFal AS
semblv should have little trouble in franz
ing law that will rive us the needed rev
enue, and at the same time operate equally
and fairly upon all the different interests
of the people of the State. This taken as
| the exact situation. who is the candidate
| for this juncture of affairs, is the Hon.
| Spencer c. Jones, of Montgomery county.
| He is widely known: his irreproachable
| character. his urbane manner. his fidelity
to public trusts, all make him an ideal can
didate. He could not emphasize, he could
not originate, the opposition that might
confront Mr.. HAYES. He is an unknown
| quantity upon the law for re-asseSSment,
| but he is altogether Il reliable democrat.
| and would see to it, that the pledges made
to the people were redeemed. When we
speak thus of Mr.. Jones we do not diSpar-
| age any other candidate for this diSting-
uiShed honor, but we speak in all candor
| and sincerity looking to the complete sue
cess of the party. We can win in the
| coming campaign with one of our old time
ma Orities, and we must see to it, that this
is done The situation throughout the
| State is clearly in our favor, notwithStand-
| ing the efforts made in certain quarters to
bring in outside issues, and rehash old
| and worn out charges The party is get
| ting together and it will be ready by cleo
| ton day, to show to its enemies that it is
still full of life and vigor. II.