The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-03-24
GREAT REFORMS WILL TER
INMATE IN PROMISES ONLY
Continued from page ~

AS71eol~LtNS SAptIlSeS. II Is HOW prOpOS-
ed to rush bill through this week APP
KEopriating $75, 900 with which to meet
this deficit. The exhaustion of the ap-
preparation of $3.50, 600 comes as result
of Democratic extravaganza inaugural
ed the beginning of the session, despite
the protests of Governor Crothers,
Speaker Peoples and others. Four years
ago Governor Warfield gave warning
of the evils to come if there were not a
reduction IN legislative expenses.
Ample warning of the present deficit
was given at the beginning of the ses-
sion, when Senator Harper, in the Sen
ate ana and Mr.. Marriott, in the House,
sed movements for reductions in the
lists Of employees. They recommended:
That the employees Of the Senate be
limited to SO, and of the House to 46.
That the employees be selected in open
session by election or an order.
That they be required to report each
Siay to the secretary of the Senate and
chief clerk of the House, and receive s.
for each day S attendance unless eXcus-
ed.
That committees composed of the
leading officers of each house examine
zand pass upon the qualification of each
engrossing clerk.
That the first week of each session
should not be lost by adjournment
That each bill be called for after it has
been unreported in committee for eight
days.
That the state librarian keep separate
accounts with each member as to the
Issue Of supplies of stationery and other
articles.
That the system of engrossing be
changed in order to expedite business.
That the work of cleaning of State
House during the sessions of the legis
EatUre be awarded by contract after
competitive bids.
That legislative lawyer be employed
20 see that bills are in proper legal
form
1t mas been suggested that the Cen
eral Assembly pass a bill limiting the
employees Of future General Assemblies
10 the number recommended early in
the session. The obstacle in the way
of this legislation is this: one legisla-
ture cannot bind a future legislature as
10 the number of its employees.
One important bill which seems
doomed to fall by the waYside is that
introduced by Senator Crothers abolish
ing continuing appropriations, which,
according to Governor Crothers view,
ought to be carried in the general ap-
preparation bills, thus enabling the tax
payers to know exactly how their money
SIS spent. The sum of about $3.50 600 is
carried from year to year by old acts
Included IN this figure are $500, 600 APP
propriated annually for improvement
of roads under the Shoemaker act, of
which $3.50, 600 was used last year, and
1925, 900 annually to the State Geological
Survey, of which sum $4,000 was
drawn. Governor Crothers and others
who are against the present practice of
continuing appropriations believe that
these and other items should appear in
the general appropriation bills acted
Npon at each session of the General AS
Sembly. Those opposing the bill claim
shat the Governor should not be given
the privilege of cutting items out of the
appropriation bills after the adjourn
g1ent of the General Assembly, as he
did two years ago. The greater the
number of items, they say, the greater
his privilege of using the veto pen.
Hence the opposition to the inclusion of
these continuing appropriations in the
general appropriation bills.
Some of these appropriations have
been carried from year to year by stat
utes which are over century old.
Frederick County College and St.
Johns Literary Institute, of Frederick,
Rave received 81, 200 annually bv an act
of 1893. Many of the continued appro-
nriatiOns have their origin in acts in
aae middle CO.'S of the last century.
when aid was extended to county acad-
eulies. At this time the state did not
keep the public schools and the only
method Of extending aid was by appro-
Drlations to academies in centers of
population. The total of these appro-
1priatiopc is So7 5OO
A large increase in the state tax rate
seems to be inevitable. 1t will probably
be q cents on the 500. The Governor
mas done all within his power to pre-
vent this prospective menace. He is
thoroughly convinced that the average
member of the General Assembly is far
more active in getting money out of the
i tate Treasury than in putting money
unto it. What he will do with the gen
'eral appropriation bills when presented
for his signature is not a surmise. He
will slash them right and left. Mem
hers of the Senate and House know
Ffis and they will put forth their best
efforts to have the appropriation bills
ready this week to receive his signature