The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-03-24
GREAT REFORMS WILL TER
INMATE IN PROMISES ONLY
Democrats Have not Made Good In
Legislature.

promises of the Democrats in their
platform as well as those embodied in
| Governor Crothers' message will turn
into ashes. Ten days only of the Gen.
/ eral Assembly remain in which to en-
act into laws the great reforms prom is
ed by the dominant party. This is
short time in which to accomplish most
important and far-reaching results.
/ The people at large will probably fare
much better if most of the Democratic
promises are not redeemed, including
the costly, unnecessary and cumber-
some Straus bill creating a public utili-
ties commission, thesdlrect and manda-
tory primary election bill and an amend
ment restricting the ctiveTfranchise
Among the recommendations of Cover
nor Crothers in his message are several
which would be beneficial to the,state
if they should become laws.
Here are some of the recommended
tons of the Democrats in their state
platform and of Governor Crothers in
his message to the General Assembly,
their present status and probableytate
To abolish the system of continuing"
appropriations; that is, institutions
which receive state aid annually under
old acts will have to submit to new acts.
The bill has been pigeon-holed in the
Senate Finance Committee.
To curb corporations by theicreation
of public utility commission, (which
will probably furnish desirable berths
for Democratic politicians andIhandicap
capital seeking investment in Maryland.
The Straus bill will be relegated to the
rear and a more sensible proposition
substituted.
To enlarge the powers of1the.state
auditor, and to give him assistance so
that he can sdelve more deeply into the
accounts of sheriffs, clerksIof court and
other officials handling state funds to
ascertain if the state sgetss austhat is
due it; sleeping.
To create state purchasing Eboard,
which shall buy staple supplies for
state institutions lin bulk aftersadver-
tising specifications and receiving bids;
sleeping
To develop in state institutions, where
it is possible, small. simple industrial
plants looking to the employment, under
medical advice, of the afflicted! and to
furnish revenue to the state; sleeping.
The refusal by the state to grant any
appropriations for building son- Land to
which the state has not a clearjktitle;
sleeping.
To create the office of state architect.
so as to avoid payment to private archi-
tects by the state of large fees Iand to
have for this purpose state official
whose interest will be,to save the state
money; sleeping.
To employ prisoners and convicts on
public roads; sleeping.
To obtain compensatiOn.for the,state's
water powers; in committeelroom.
To derive greater.income from leases
of .oyster bottoms by increasing the
number of leases; amendments unfavor-
ably reported; to be voted upon by
Senate this week.
To compel automobile owners to pay
more taxes in order that the improve
ment of public roads may go on without
imposing too onerous burdens on real
estate; pending in the Senate
Direct and mandatory :primary cleo
ton bill; sleeping.
Bill increasing Baltimore s--represen-
tation in the General Assembly; amend
ed in the Senate; pendingain thesHouse.
Reserving for state power to impose
tax on income; joint resolution ratifylrg
amendment to federal Constitution Civ
ing general government powerful i'm
pose the tax; adopted by the House.
Reassessment of property in the
counties; pending in the Senate.
Uniform game and fish bills; sleeping.
Pure food and drug bill; pending in
the Senate; will pass with amendments.
Partial care of the INDECENT insane by
the state; bill pending in the Senate.
Retrenchment of legislative expenses;
sleeping.
Abolishing fees of public officials and
substituting salaries; sleeping
Bill to reform state working system;
pending in the Senate.
Insurance reforms, sleeping.
Many of the propositions were recon-
mended by the commission appointed by
the Governor. He will reappoint n any
of these commissions, and others to con-
slider additional subjects. He hopes
that beneficial propositions recommend
ed by the commissions, which will not
be acted upon favorably by this leglsla-
ture, will receive favorable considera-
ton at the hands of some future legis-
lature.
Continued on page 81