Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1908-04-17
The Governor Saves the State Four
Hundred thousand Dollars by
Cutting Down Appropriations.

Governor Crothers kept in the centre Of
the stage last week by reason of important
matters put up to him at Annapolis. The
biggest surprise he sprung was the large
number of items which he vetoed In the
general appropriation bills. Some Of those
sticken out were pet projects OF Influential
people and his action has raised a great
howl. This does not seem to affect the
Governor, however, who seems to know
pretty well what he is about. He calculates
that by using his veto power he has saved
the State over 100000. The Governor
made this statement:
81 have simply made an effort to redeem
the pledges which made In dealing with
this matter as well as to crafty my own
judgment
my experience In the Legislature here
tolore gave me some insight into matters
along this line, and might say that In with
holding my approval from several Oh the
amounts in the appropriation bills ana re-
ducing the appropriation In other cases
have saved to the people OF the State up
ward of 100000, without, in my opinion,
imparing any of our educational or chart
table institutions. On the contrary, so far
as the maintenance OF these institutions is
concerned, very substantial increases have
been made | have made the reductions
very largely in the sums asked Tor buildings.
"As have heretofore said, this whole ques-
ton of appropriations TO these institutions
requires most serious consideration by our
people. Some method by which the matter
can DO dealt with on business principles
should be devised, and this was the object
had in view in appointing commission
to take the whole subject up and report TO
the next Legislature.
"The appropriation OF large sums of mon
ey by the State to construct buildings on
land to which the State has no title and no
control needs only to be stated to be dlsap.
proved of by the people. There Is nothing
to prevent the person or associations having
title to the ground to close up and dispose
OF the property without the State being
able to force the payment oil the money
which II has appropriated.
"When we consider the authorities and
officers in charge of our system OF free pub
lie schools were unable to secure the money
REQUIRED to have made the improvements
which they requested when they are, In TACT,
entitled to the first considerations upon the
part of the State, the giving OF Increased
appropriations to the private educational
institutions could not have been justified,
and the financial condition OF the State is
such as not to warrant so large an increase
this year-a year OF somewhat unsettled
financial conditions.
~ have tried to do the best l could in the
interest of those whose servant am and
feel confident that the result Will be accept
ed in the same spirit which led to these re-
auctions.
1--WE must not forget that the money ask
ed for and appropriated belongs to the peo-
pie and Is taken out OF their pockets by the
way of taxes, and we are but trustees for
the people to see to 1t that 1t Is not extrava-
ganLly expended or taken from the public
treasury Tor purposes other than that which
would not subserve the public interest,".
The bill passed exempting Worcester coun
ty from the Haman oyster law has been the
subject of much comment In this state ana
it was vetoed by Gov. Crothers on Monday
last, because, as he says, the exemption
would be to the disadvantage OF the other
counties included in the law and on his part
not to carry out the platform pledge to sup
port the oyster law. Continuing he said
al must carry out in good faith the reso-
lutions of the platform and the promises so
solemnly made by it and myself in good iaith
to the people of the whole state. To them
only am responsible, aad to them must ac
count have not deviated one hair 8 breadth
from the sacred promises OF that platform
at promised TO submit constitutional
the best thought of the State in reference to
the same. That amendment has been passed
in exact accord with the promises OF the plat
form. 1t promised to pass Corrupt Prac-
tees act TO break up the use OF money ana
other corrupt practices at elections. inat mas
been carried out, and the measure has been
psssed-so rigid and 80 good in its provis-
ions as might be said TO be even beyond the
promises that were made. We promised TO
pass law that would improve the public
roads of the State. Such law 10 now on the
statute books, with good provisions also be-
yond the promises that were made. Weprom-
ised TO pass q u. s. Senatorial Primary
Election law. Whatever may say in refer
enc, to the same from personal STANDPOINT
IL is in absolute and exact accord with the
plank in the platform in reference 10 the same
We promised to pass Primary Election law
to insure the fullest opportunity Tor all our
people to express themselves as to the candi-
dates for public office. and while must say
that its provisions are not exactly in accord
with my expressed wishes in reference to the
same. and not in exact accord with the plat.
form. all its provisions except one are In full
redemption of the promises made In the plat
form.
"We promised the people OF this State That
we would exercise the most rigid economy In
the expenditure OF their money. We nave
reduced the appropriation 100000 in obe-
dieuce to that pledge, and yet have appro-
priated more money for charitable and edu-
ca,ional institutions than any former Legis-
lature has ever done.
"In addition to carrying out these pledges
of the platform the Legislature has passed
more good and wholesome legislation and
less Objectionable legislation than any Legis-
lature ia the history OF the State.
at passed High License law for Balti-
more city and for Baltimore county; 1t pass
ed new Incorporation law, the need Tor
which was demanded on all sides, and which
will bring, together with Collateral Tax In
heritance law and the increased revenue
from the high license system Ia Baltimore
CITY and Baltimore county and other mea-
aures. sufficient to pay the interest and re-
deem the 81, 1000, 600 OF the bonds issued TO
carry on the great work OF the reconstruct
lion Of highways without taking additional
money from the taxpayers pockets; 1t amend
ed the Election law so as to give the intent
of the voter full consideration In marking
bis ballot 30 that the same would not be re-
ected because of the X-lines extending be-
vond the SQUARE We passed what 10 known
as the 'Barratry act TO break up prac-
tice that has heretofore existed and which
was demanded by the best thought or the
legal profession. We passed all the laws
which were demanded by the city OF baiii-
more, improving the discipline and efficiency
of The Police Department, and all the laws
demanded by the city which were required to
ad vance it's best interests. We gave to the
charitable and educational institutions OF the
State more money than was ever appropriated |
by any previous Legislature We sppropri-
ated a large sum oil money to complete the
State Tuberculosis Santarium, which will
sufficiently care for all the unfortunate suffer-
ers from this dread disease 10 the State, to-
qether with other sums for like purposes
Laws have been enacted giving an opportu-
nifty to the people 10 all the counties of the
State who demanded the same 10 vote upon
the important question whether or not intox-
icating liquors shall be sold
"T6is Legislature has been doing things.
There have been no factional chickering's
uh1ch wnnld have nreHen ted the accompli sh-