Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-08-06
GOVERNOR SOUNDS BLAST.
MAKES APPEAL FOR A DEMOCRATIC LEcIs-
LATURE.
Big ISSUES AT STAKE, He SAYS.

reviewed the work OF the last Legislature
and made plain that the election of
Democratic Legislature would be considered
by him as approval of his administration.
After naming number of the important
corrective measures which the administra-
ton is preparing to introduce, he said the
election of a Republican House of Dele
gates, the Senate being already Democrat
ic, would create situation that would re-
tard the progress of the State.
The GOVERNORS STATEMENT.
Governor Crothers statement in full fol-
lows:
II am very much interested in the per-
sonnet of the next Legislature, not because
of any personal ak to grind. but because
it will have before it more important leg
islation in the direction of improvement of
State government than any Legislature
preceding. OF course, it is necessary to
have these important measures passed be-
fore they can be of any practical effect.
in view of the fact that the Senate has
10 Democratic followers. that body will
certainly be in control of the Democrat
ic party, so that in order to pass legis
lation affecting the interests of the people
of the State the only party that 1t would
be possible now to have control OF both
branches of the Legislature and the Exec
utive is the Democratic party. Conse-
quently, it is of vital interest that the party
control the House of Delegates. Otherwise,
with division of the legislative RESPONSE
bility between the two parties it would be
unfortunate. in view of the present situa-
ton in the State. 1t would be difficult,
and, in reference to some measures, i'm
possible to secure their passage If the leg
islative control was divided between the
parties. The Democratic party owes it to
the people to send to the Legislature its
very best men and men known to be in
sympathy with the progressive stand the
party has assumed.
II will say here that so far as my OBJ
servation goes the party has been making,
and successfully, efforts for the nomination
of good men throughout the State. And
in the city equally strong efforts have been
made, although the difficulty is realized of
securing men who are willing to make the
sacrifice, yet the men selected are of a
high order and some of them certainly of
conspicuous qualifications. Some of the
candidates suggested served in the last
Legislature. and thus had an opportunity
to observe their conduct and am convinced
that their action in reference to the .mea-
sures passed at that session showed that
they were in full sympathy with them and
would be in the others which will come
before them at the next session.
II do not mean to reflect in the least
upon the Republican membership of the
last session. 1t contained men of high
character and men who were unquestion-
ably interested in the welfare of the State
Ii would be unfortunate at the next ses-
sion to be embarrassed by party rivalry
which could not help but affect the passage
of the many measures now proposed and
which are of such vital importance to the
welfare of the people.
WORK OF UNPAID COMMISSIONS.
81 have appointed several commissions
to take up important practical questions
of State government. Some of them, at
much sacrifice and expense, have already
made reports to me of their recommended
tons.
1.-THE Commission on Legislative Ex-
penses has filed unanimous report of de-
finite suggestions which will unQuestiOna-
bly, correct extravaganza in legislative ex-
penses Their report is an excellent one
and heartily approve and indorse it
There are other Improvements, doubtless,
along the line of legislative procedure
which might engage legislative attention
looking to more care and expediency.
Il believe that the minority party should
name its own representatives upon COM
mittees dealing with party questions and
should be consulted as to the minority rep
resentation on all their committees.
81 have the tentative report of the COM
mission appointed on appropriations, which
is to be submitted in full at an early date
by the commission. This commission makes
some excellent recommendations. among
which is recommendation that what is
known as running appropriations be dis
continued and that all appropriations of
every kind and character be made by the
Legislature at its biennial sessions. These
recommendations | regard as ones that
will not only carry full knowledge to the
people as to the purposes for which their
money is appropriated. but will greatly
lessen the expenses of the State govern
ment
"0ther commissions which are at work
are those upon pure food legislation. one
on salaries of public officials, one to bring
manufacturers to Baltimore city, one look
ing into the water power and water trans
portatiOn of the State. one on labor. one
on the farming interests of the State. one
on printing, the fee system. insurance laws.
public health and hygiene. one regulating
the speed and licenses for automobiles,
engaged in studying the questions and
their reports will be in in time fixed prior
to the meeting of the Legislature.
For PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD
A question of much importance is the
passage by the next Legislature Of law
providing for public-utilities commission
for the public-service corporations Of this
State For manifest reasons could not
Al. a.. -. IL
ton as the matter is now before the Cab
met and ] can only say. speaking for my
self, that ! believe such commission to
be necessary and will accomplish, If its
provisions are reasonable and conservative,
great good to the people of the State.
THE attitude of the party has been one
of wisdom in dealing with our corporations.
1t has riehtfully felt that it is performing
only its duty to the public when in every
legitimate way it tries to encourage indus
tries to come here and deal with them in
telligently and honestly in order that they
may find here a reasonable public senti-
ment and law in which to operate.
"0ther questions of general Importance.
such as the re-assessment of the real estate
in the counties, providing for business
method for the uniformity of assessments
and the value of property by some general
authority, an auditing system Tor the en-
tire State. improvement in bookkeeping
methods and the prevention of too many
holding and discussing public funds and
legislation as to county government are
now in the hands of the committee ap-
pointed by the County Commissioners Con-
gress of the State.
THE expense incident to the cOnstruc-
ton of improved public highways makes
the employment of convict labor in the
jails and other penal institutions Of the
State, which will unquestiOnably reduce
the expenses of this important public i'm
provement, question of great Importance
WHAT THE LAST LEGISLATURE DID.
THE record made by the Democratic
party in the last Legislature gives ample
! demonstration that it is in full sympathy
and is now embarking on an era of pro.
eressive. Observation-Disclosures, which will