The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-04-04
GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT is
DUE.

IL snouio De JuuSeu IalTly, ana lull ana
honest credit given it, for what it has done
in the enactment of wholesome and needed
legislation.
The Republican party was invested with
political power, upon the unequivocal
declarations Of the platform formulated al
Cambridge, in August, 1895, which plat.
form specifically pledged the party, il
entrusted with power, to the enactment o.
certain public measures, which the Demo
cratic party of the State, had habitually
promised but had as habtually failed tc
give the people.
Generally stated these promises were, a
re-assessment law; free school book bill
the enactment of an election law, that
would afford every individual voter in the
State, n free and fair ballot; law to limit
the debt mourning capacity of municipal
corporations the protection of the oyster
interests of the State; the submission to
the people of the question of Civil Service
Reform.
Succinctly stated, these were the leading
measures looking to better government in
Maryland, upon the promise OF the fulfill
ment of which the Republicans were en-
trusted with political power,
The WIG contends, that these pledges
have been honestly redeemed, whatever
failure in minor legislation can be fairly
laid az the door OF the House of Assembly
1t is true that the wild scramble" for
place that marked the opening of the srs-
sion, made judicious Republicans sricve
all over the State, but this was only the
inevitable result of the wild pace for Office,
which Mr. Wellington by the favor of the
administration set for smaller men in the
Republican ranks.
But whatever unwholesome spectacle the
place hunting element of the House of
Delegates has presented, it contained
nevertheless enough men who were con
sistently faithful to their party pledges and
were earnest in defence of the public inter
est, to control and shape the legislative
work OF tnat BODY.
The claim therefore that Speaker Mudd
makes for the record of the Legislature, is
we believe fairly warranted by the facts.
ave promised reas sessment law sail
he. THAT law has been passed, and, takin-s
the general bill and the supplemental bills
together, they present re-assessment bill
that will be overwhelmingly more salts
factory than any Of the many bills that
have passed in recent years and been
vetoed or those that failed to pass one
house or the other.
"We promised to limit the debt incu,ring
capacity of municipalities. That promise
has been redeemed, so far as the House OF
Delegates is concerned,
eve promised an election law, tina,
would give free and fair expression of the
public will at the polls. We have enacted
into law, measure that, looking back upon
the course of political parties in dealing
with minorities, is almost amazing, in its
absolute absence OF partisanshp and its
adequate, If | might not say perfect, proyi-
sions for the prevention Of fraud by the
use of the election machinery
'We promised a free schoolbook bill.
The children OF the state can rejoice to day
that this promise has been redeemed The
bill that was passed was, in substance, the
House bill
As to the plank on civil-servicc reform,
the House claims to have literally lived up
to it. We have passed bill for proposed
constitutional amendment providing for a
submission of this question to the voters OF
the state, which the Senate tardly aud
reluctantly and under strong pressure OF
popular sentiment agreed to.
sour declarations is to the oyster in.
terests which was negation OF partisan.
ship management and OF deprivation OF
popular ownership, have been thus far and
will be further lived up to.
''The Cambridge platform in so far as
the action of the House of Delegates has
been allowed to have effect is to-day upon
the statute book of the State of Maryland
The work of the Legislature in results
achieved, has been greater and of more
important character than that of any LEXIS
lnture since the war; and, speaking of the
war, we have shown, furthermore, that the
war, with the Republican party, is over.
We have shown spirit of magnanimity
toward the survivors of the Confederacv in
this state, that should and will rcpel for
ever the charge of sectional rancor, in So
far as it may effect tie Republicans OF
Maryland. y
Reasonably corroborative OF this view of
the Legislative results at Annapolis, we
recognise az timely this concession from the
Baltimore Sun
Now that the Legislature has adjourned
and the Commonwealth can breathe freely
once more, it may not he amiss to recognize
the fact that the session has not been alto.
gether devoid of good. The General Assem-
bly, of 1896 did many things it ought not
have done, and left undone many things it
ought to have done, bnt there are some
features Of its record which are commend
BILE. Quite number of Objectionable and