Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1909-08-19

ton. In fact the articles appearing in
its editorial columns often look as it
they were resorting to bulldozing tao
tics. They constantly and daily re-
mind Governor Crothers of his ante
promises to protect Balti-
more.
We do not believe the people of the
State will allow sand to be thrown in
their eyes but that they are perfectly
willing to give some consideration to
what seems to be a popular demand
somewhat increased but nothing like
demanded representation. For in
stance, there is no need that six peo-
pie represent ward or district III
Baltimore; five people could just as
well represent it as six; this would
enable them to scatter their represent
tation over a larger scope without in
creasing it. 1t would be an absurd
matter to increase the representation
as demanded, because there are at
present 101 delegates in the House.
As it is proposed it would increase
this number to 1872 and those who
know of the Legislative tactics that
are SO frequently employed, legisla-
ton at all times gould be blocked at the
behest of some smart politician or
parliamentarian if, at the heel of the
session, something had to be rammed
through, they could exact the calling
of the roll as a matter of employing
dilatory tactics or tilibustering as it
is sometimes called. And even though
this should not be resorted to, to have
to call the roll of so many people ON
the final passage of every bill, it would
almost be a physical impossibility to
get through with the business at any
thing like busy session.
Then, in addition to that, our Bal
timore friends don't care much about
the extra expense that would attend
that greatly increased representation,
which would amount to $4,000 in
salary each and every session of the
Legislature and that for all time to
come, together with such other Incl
dental expenses as would be required.
OF course they will meet this argu-
ment by saying that this don't affect
the counties any as they pay into the
State Treasury so much more money
than they get out, it is not any of the
counties business, yet there is always
u hue and cry raised at every session
of the Legislature about the great cx-
travagance, and the Baltimore Sun,
which always poses as great advo-
cate of retrenchmcnt and reform,
would find the expenses very mater
tally increased from this item alone.
In other words the whole matter
boiled down seems to amount to this.
That if Baltimore city is given more,
they intend to see that the counties
get less, 1t must be remembered that
Baltimore city owes great deal to
the counties and the State; the mo-
ment few dollars of trade goes to
some other more favored quarter, she
almost turns somcrsault, and Lord
Baltimore gets blue in the face with
rage if the dollars from the counties
should not be dropped in his Golfers.
1t is altogether Il selfish game as we
view it. 1t is pitt'ng the counties
against the city in an unfair way.
There is no sentiment adverse to Bal
timore city among the counties as
representing the State of Maryland,
and it is unfair to make the assertion
that the question of representation is
one of unfair advantage taken by the
counties as against the city.
As we said before, the City would
be no better represented if she had
the number that she is now clamor-
ing for. Frederick County would be
just as well represented with three
delegates as she is with five. One
Senator represents her just az well as
if she had two. The League is unfair
and the Baltimore papers are likewise
unfair in taking the property valua-
ton as assessed for 1908 for State
taxes as a basis to show how grossly
Baltimore is mistrcatcd. We only
call attention to any unbiased mind
to take the proceedings of the various
and to see if Baltimore
has not to a very great degree, if not
altogether, received all the
legislation that she asked for, and
where there was a failure on the part |
Of the City to receive legislation, it