The Washington times., 1908-01-09
CrotherS, of Maryland,
Advocates Special Bond
Issue.
By GOVERNOR CRorHzRs,
Of MARYLAND.

VI MAJ y4aAds
"I desire next to approach a subject
with which I shall seek TO closely and
unremittingIy identity the adTuinistra-
ton which ] am about 10 begin In tho
speech in which I accepted the ncmina-
ton Of the Democratic party for gov
ernor, 7 declared:
q" 7 believe that II is entirely practi-|
cable by wise economy and foret bought,
and without increasing the burdens OF
the people, to carry out q scheme Of
public improvements, consisting chiefly
OF the establishment OF good roads
through every section OF tire whole
State, SO that every class and cOmmun--
ity OF our people may have an equal
share Of them
Such a system OF improvements
would not merely add TO the convent
ence. prosperity and wealth OF all the
people but would be a constant and
growing source Of Increase in the tax
able basis Of the State. It would fur
nish without any advance II the rate
OF taxes. the financial resources for the
continued development Of the material
interests Of the people and for the
strengthening OF all the foundations Of
{ their progress.
Prime Object Of Policy.
81 think that the time IS at hand
for public men and Iesdklg citizens u
MARYLAND to take the lead IN a deliber-
ate movement to make the most Of the
rich and magnificent resources Of our
Commonwealth. To develop them 20
the greatest possible degree and to car
~ the State forward along commercial.
Industrial ana agricultural lines until II
is in the very van OF the progress OF the
whole country
.tI reassert here and now those pur-
poses, and as the first and most i'm
portant step in their accomplishment
system Of good roads, ramifying uni
state should be established. We should
take this Up as q prime object Of our
policy. and we should cOnsummate u
as thoroughly and expeditously as pos
sible-
Should Issue Bonds.
THE court Of appeals Of the State has
decided that such a work is constitu-
tionallv feasible, and that the State may
pledge its credit to effect It. The first
step will be the provision Of finances for
the undertaking.
a0There is no reason Why the
State. which is now out Of debt
should not issue bonds to defray the
! immediate expenses Of such a
scheme of public Improvements.
This has been done in other States
with the most beneficial and salts
factory results. As suggested in the
above quotation from my speech of
acceptance, the Issuance Of such
bonds would not really impose any
substantial burden of taxation upon
the people, because the improve
ments themselves, traTersing every
part Of the State, would so enhance
the value of property that there
would practically be no additional
burden by way Of taxes upon any
body.
Resources Are Plentiful.
7 shall not enter within the sphere
of legislative duty by setting forth the
details OF providing the ways and means
OF the system OF improvement here sug-
gested I do not apprehend that it viii
! be a difficult matter to arrange. The
resources of the State are plentiful, its
! credit is high, the people are thor
oughly imbued with the spirit Of prog
ress. and especially with the meet Of
the improvements in question, and the
legislation Of the leading States Of the
Union furnishes ample precedents to
guide Us in this important and desirable
enterprise.
"If the general assembly should
indicate its desires to have me do
so, it viii give me pleasure to SUBJ
nit TO it a special message contain
ing further suggestions and recon-
mendatiOns upon this subject. For
the present | take leave of it with
the earnest request that it may re-
ceiVe the special attention and con.
sideratiOR Of the General Assembly,