Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-01-14
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE

Governor Iowndes' message, which was
seat 10 the Legislature Tuesday night, dis
cusses every subject of leading interest con-
nected with the public affairs Of the State
After presenting the usual summary of the
financial condition of Maryland, the Gov
ernor refers to the recent reassessment,
which he says has produced an equalization
OF values and has brought to light much
property which has hitherto escaped taxa
ton. Although more than sixty seven mil
lion dollars have been added to the tax basis
by this reassessmeLt, giving the State an in
creased income Of about $4,000, the Gov
ernor calls the attention OF the members of
the Legislature TO the fact that our revenue
has not increased in the same proportion as
our expenses, and warns them that it will
be necessary to exercise wise discrimina-
ton in regard to appropriations With re.
gard to the public schools, however, he ex-
presses the belief that I'VE should not dis.
pense our bounty with a niggardly hand,
but that the appropriations should be com.
mensurate with the purposes to be attained"
In relation to aid to charitable, reformatory
and industrial institutions, he suggests that
the Legislature should "see that no sine.
cures are maintained" and that while "lib.
eral to them it should also be Just to the
State"
The earnings and operations of the tobacco
warehouses occupy several paragraphs In
the message, which also explains the causes
leading TO the investigation Instituted by
the Governor. The investigation shows,
says the Executive, that the management of
the warehouses has been both inefficient and
corrupt, and that a satisfactory and business
management cannot be reached without sub.
stantal amendments to existing law. To
this end he announces that he will at an.
other time submit to the Legislature de
tailed scheme of organization of this branch
OF the State service. In this connection il
may be suggested that while the Governor
deserves the highest credit for the energetic
and non partisan manner in which he prob
ed the abuses existing 10 the management
VI the warehouses and for the improved
methods Of administration which he has In.
augurated, 1t would probably be better for
he State il they were abolished altogether.
They have nearly always been hotbeds of
corruption, and while nominally public
agencies, have really formed part of the ma.
chinery of the dominant political organiza-
ton. The tobacco interests of the State
would be better off without them, and their
abolition would remove dangerous source
OF political corruption and evil.
In discussing the fish and oyster indus
tries of the State, which the message prop
erly classes as among the most valuable of
the natural resources Of Maryland, the Gov.
ernor expresses the opinion that, sin view
OF the agitation now going on for an i'm.
proved sewerage system for Baltimore city,
the Legislature should see to it that no sys.
TEN be adopted which will result in injury,
however remote, to these important inter.
ests"
The Governor refers with satisfaction to
the working of the election law of 1896,
under which "due opportunity has been
given for every eligible citizen to exercise
the free right of suffrage" To the general
system created by the act, he adds, he has
no amendments to offer, "but many valua.
BILE suggestions for the correction of some
defects and conflicting provisions have been
received" which, when formulated, will be
submitted to the Legislature for considera-
ton. Closely related to this subject Is that
of bribery at elections, with regard to which
the Governor expresses himself earnestly
aud strongly, urging the amendment of the
present law SO as to bring within its scope
all offenses Of this character He points
out, however, that mo law, however com.
prehensive or stringent in its provisions, is
self.executing, and that no enactment
against bribery and corruption of voters can
be made effective until public sentiment co
operates with the judiciary in its enforce.
ment" Another reform essential to the
perfection Of our elective system is an eff.
cient primary election law which would
"insure to each member of political or
ganization the right to have his choice of
candidates duly registered and counted"
The Governor a.ludes TO the three cases
of lynching that have occurred in Mary
land during his administration, and sug.
gests that "iI a law could be passed placing
upon the county in which a lynching oc-
ours some heavy Pecuniary penalty, it might
help TO create public sentiment which
would bear fruit in the choosing OF officers
who would use intelligent and courageous
efforts TO protect their prisoners and discov.
er and prosecute these offenders against la W
and order"
The message recognizes the demand Tor
Improved roads, and expresses the hope that
"some comprehensive and satisfactory solu
ton oi the question may be reached which
while not burden upon the tax payers, may
lay the foundations OF a system which will
eventually meet the necessities oil the differ.
ent localities of our State "-BaltO Sun.
THE PENSION FRA UDS.