The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1905-11-24
STATE WINS, CITY LOSES.

Tue American published yesterday
q statement from the treasurer OF
Maryland to the eff ct that il the
coming legislature practice reasona
bic economy in the matter of approprl-
atoms reduction OF at least cents
on the 500 will he possible. The
present state tax is 23i cents on the
500, having been increased to meet
expenditures incurred in the erection
of public buildings and for the i'm
prove ment of the system Of public ed
ucation. The hope is expressed 10y
the Governor of the stale that new
sources of taxation may be found, 80
that there may be a considerable re-
lief from the burdens real estate is
now a,led upon to bear. Taxpayers
are not likely TO oppose any plans
for reduction in the amounts they
have to pay, though few complaints
have been heard regarding the slight
increase of the rate, the people being
convinced that it was necessary, and
that the money thus provided and
thus expended would prove good in
vestment.
Incidentally the State Treasurer
called attention in the same interview
with an American representative to-
the excellent condition Of Maryland's
finances and showed that the treasury
under his charge was in very healthy
condition. 1t now has on deposit
over a million dollars, every dollar OF
which is protected by an approved
bond, and of the recent issue Of i'm
provement bonds. amounting to abou'
81 500, 900, fully 81, 100000 has been
turned into the sinking fund, leaving
only about half million outstanding
1t must be gratifying to all the state
officials to know that the finances OF
this commonwealth are in such excel
lent shape and that Maryland has
high and crtditable position among
the few states Ct the Union that are,
to all intents and purposes, out Of debt
and have money enough on baud or
within easy reach to meet all their OBJ
legations.
Maryland's treasury has been in
:bs good shape for number Of years,
and 80 it is likely to remain az long as
Baltimore continues 10 be such = gen
erous contributor to the funds of the
state. More than = million dollars
goes from this city to the Mary
land treasury every year. and very
small part of that sum ever returns.
For years there has besn demand
that Baltimore be allowed to handle
and to use greater part Of the rev
enue secured by the taxation OF its
own people and its own industries, but
as the lawmakers from the counties
largely outuumber those from the
city, every measure wit b that end in
view has been consistently but IN
Justly, veted down. As Baltimore
grows larger and as its business in
every branch increases the state rev.
enue from the city gains in size, and
the counties enjoy to the full extent
the benefits OF the progress and great
er prosperity of their metropolis.
The Baltimore delegation in the
coming legislature will be divided
politically, but on this question all the
members should lay aside their party
doctrines and unite in an effort for the
passage Of laws that shall give their
city a square deal. Baltimore does
not object to lending helping hand
to the balance of the state. 1t does
not raise any objection to being CON-
PEELED to be the principal contributor
to the state funds for educational pur-
poses, to furnishing large part Of the
money for every state improvement,
but it does object to allowing the state
to take all and give little or nothing
in return. In this financial game the
state has the cards stacked against
Baltimore and cannot fall to win. It
is time for new shuttle, a new deal
and honest play, in which both city
and state have an equal chance
Baltimore American.