The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-01-06


The substantial reduction in the state debt re-
corded above has been accomplished in the face Of
greater appropriations for educational and charita
BILE purposes than were made during any proceed
ing administration The revenues of the State are
steadily growing and with this continuance of in
crease, which should come under wise and eco
nomical conduct of State affairs, there is reason
why the tax rate of IN cents should not be mate
rally lessened, and. within few years, the public
debt paid of.
Unnecessary Offices should not be created and
useless ones should be discontinued. Every effort
ought to be made to lesson the weight of taxation
Along this line think that the Office of State
Fire Marshal should be abolished. The $500
which is annually appropriated for its support
could be withheld, and the powers of the State In
surance Commissioner SO enlarged that the duties
of Fire Marshal could be performed by one of his
deputies.
For the purpose of attracting to the State desira-
BILE immigrants the General Assembly of 1896 estab-
lished the Bureau of immigration. The expert
ment has been tried, and in my Judgment the re-
suits have not been satisfactory.
WORK OF STATE INSTITUTIONS.
Under separate paragraphs he reviews tine work
of the various institutions of the State Discussing
the Maryland Penitentiary, he speaks of it as the
most modern penal institution in the country, add
ing:
To make room for the new buildings it became
necessary to raze some of the workshops. For the
good of the inmates, as well as the self-mainten-
ance of the institution, these shops should be re-
stored, Others put into operation and the present
ones rearranged. The old Penitentiary building,
too should be remodeed for hospital and other
purposes. To carry out this work $4,000 is need
ed. With the facilities which would then be had
it would not be long before the interest on the PEN
tentiary loan could be paid out of the proceeds of
the industrial enterprises located there
He expresses pleasure with the advance that has
been made in the last four years at the House of
Correction He declares the work of the State to-
bacc0 warehouses has been satisfactory, but thinks
experience has shown that the law ought to be
amended so as to give the Chief Inspector larger
powers over the appointment and removal of sub
ordinates. The Maryland Agricultural College, he
says, has become one of the most valuable educa-
tional institutions in the State.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
He recommends that the work of the Maryland
Geological Survey receive the same liberal support
of the General Assembly in the future as in the
PAST OF the public schools he says
The administration of the public schools should
be divorced from all political influences To this
end recommend the adoption of legislation that
will insure the minority party representation all
the School Boards in the State. The salaries of the
teachers in the public schools should be increased
to degree commensurate with the importance and
requirements of the profession, and the tenure of
office for teachers should be made more permanent,
without regard to the mutations of politics.
question which must sooner or later be met by
the people of Maryland is that of the education of
the colored race, SO that the colored man may be
given tools wherewith to become a good and useful
citizen. The most certain method, to my mind is
the establishment of manual training and indus
trial schools. l recommend that this matter be
given your serious attention.
TOPICS OF STATE INTEREST.
The message also touches upon hospitals for the
insane, the State Library, State Insurance Commits
sioner, Fish Commission, the Bureau of Industrial
Statistics. the Live Stock Sanitary Board, State
printing, fire protection to the State house. cleo
tons police reorganization, oysters, the Maryland
and Virginia boundary line, the amendment of
municipal charters, the State Auditor, Marylanders
in the Civil War, and concludes with review of
the part played by Maryland Volunteers in the
Spanish-Amerean War, of which he says: mo
troops furnished the Government were more expe-
ditiously and fully clothed. armed and equipped
for service and sent forward than those from the
State of Maryland"
RECOMMENDATIONS MADE.
Among the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Iihue uuucE tuc
various clauses of his message are: The erection
of separate building for the colored insane at
Springfield tine concentration of the Sta tie printing
under the supervision of one person. with authority
to do the work himself to contract for the same
the passage of corrupt practices act and of pri
mary election law; the reorganization of the Police
Board of Baltimore city upon bipartisan basis;
the adoption of some method to encourage oyster
planting; popular vote on all measures affecting
the amendment of municipal charters; the appoint
ment of state auditor to examine the accounts of
public officers who receive and disburse State funds
and of institutions that receive State aid.
POLICE REORGANIZATION.
OF police reorganization he says
The policing of a large city like Baltimore ought
to be kept entirely apart from partisan politics,
and no political party should be charged with or
assume sirglehanded the preservation of order.
Every citizen matter what his political connec-
ton may be, has right to demand the best pro-
lection possible of his life and property. The time
hns arrived when the Board of Police Commission
ers of Baltimore city should be recognized upon a
non-partisan basis. In order to secure undivided
responsibility the power of appointment of Police
Commissioners should rest with the Governor, with
| the consent of the Senate.