The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-09-11

reputation for its product, is actually
importing oysters from New York;
when in years gone by it has not only
been furnishing oysters for local con-
sumption, but has been selling to
other States. The efforts which have
been made before the Legislatures
since 1884 to save the oyster industry
all met with signal failure and it is a
disgrace to the intelligence of this
State. If there could be any single
selfish motive shown, why the in
dustry should not be perpetuated, 1t
would be a different matter, but the
present status would only indicate
the ignorance of those who are sup
posed to represent us in our State
councils. 1t is true that Hartford
county does not actually feel this loss
in direct way, yet, in point of fact,
money which is taken from within our
borders, is an indirect drain upon
us all, so if for no other reason than
the patriotic one of self-preservation,
our people should make an effort to
force intelligent legislation at the
coming session.
However, this question has more
important bearing and one that will
affect every citizen of this county.
We allude to what some may con-
slider threadbare subject, but never
theless this is not the case, or remedial
legislation would have been adopted
long ago-It is the road question.
Succeeding years have witnessed a
gradual deterioration in the price OF
land throughout this State and in
fact in all farming communities where
highways are more or less neglected.
1t is true that the County Commis-
sioners make dash at trying to keep
the roads in good condition, but the
amount OF money that is annually
spent is almost thrown away unless
more modern methods are pursued.
There is only one way to have good
roads and that is to invoke the aid
of the State. Other commonwealth
have been progressive while we have
been standing still. 1t is much easier
for Maryland to adopt this forward
step because by utilizing the waste
barrens of the Chesapeake Bay 4
handsome revenue could be derived.
1t has been argued that the Hannah
Oyster Bill is not practicable, but its
opponents have offered no remedy
and things have been allowed to re-
main in their present status. No
doubt the first law will be more or
less crude, but experience will soon
smooth out Thorough points, and each
succeeding session can easily pass
remedial statutes when once the first
step is taken.
The Democratic party stands COM
mitted to such action and the resolu-
ton adopted at the recent County
Convention has met with much favor
throughout the State. The Demo-
cratic members of the House of Dele
gates, who will be chosen at the
November election, will be charged
with the responsibility of giving our
people what they ask for, and they
will take progressive steps looking to
the desired end. Thenarrow margin
of defeat two years ago should prove
an additional incentive, for in that
time a campaign of education has
been waged in almost every intelli-
gent community. We have the
means within our grasp to perma-
nently improve our highways, and
everyone who casts a Democratic
ballot this fall will feel assured that
he is registering his sentiment in favor
of the better order of things.