The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1910-04-08
THE LEGISLA T U R E, A N D
SOME OF THE THINGS
THAT TT DID.

The Legislature of Maryland adjourned
on last Monday night, April 4th, and
what it did is now part of the history
of the State. If what was done was
only history, much Of what it did would
not be so bad, but unfortunately it is a
legacy left to the taxpayers OF the State,
and which they will be forced TO make
good. After the adjournment of the
Legislature preceding the one Just ad-
iourned, the Governor appointed fifteen
or twenty commissions, composed of
men from all parts OF the State to ex-
anime all public questions and to make
reports and rec concentrations as to the
needed reforms and necessary laws to be
adopted
These commissions were a heavy cost
to the taxpayers of the State.
They All returned and made reports
and recommendations which were re-
ferred TO the Legislature.
Suffice it is to say that the result of
the work of these commissions amounted
10 practically nothing, except to spend
the money of the taxpayers. These recon-
mendations all went practically speak
ing into the waste basket. The efforts
of these commissions, in the MAN,
would have been of great benefit if they
had been carried out, but they were
generally ignored
1t is too early vet to so into the work
of the Legislature in detail, because it
is too soon after adjournment to learn
accurately all that was done.
But we are informed of some things
that were done aud of some of those
we can now speak.
We can say without any exaggerauon
and without the fear OF contradiction,
that this Legislature has been a most,
if not a reckless, extravagant one, in its
appropriations of public money
In the very beginning ii appointed 4
host of unnecessary and useless en-
ployees at extravagant salaries. The APP
preparation of six hundred thousand dol
lars the peoples money, TO take care
of'the States insane, was an indefensible
and eXtravagant expenditure of the pub
he's money.
There was no necessity for is appro-
priation
There was, in fact no public sent-
meut whatever in the State demanding il.
aud it was to crafty the fadS or the
fancy Of few people in Baltimore City.
mostly doctors, and wild clamor OF a
part Of the Baltimore press. The State
insane have always been cared for by
the counties, and in the main. well cared
for and We're cared for at home where
their friends had easy access to them
at all times, and by doctors with whom
they were well acquainted. We believe
that the insane are better off and better
cared for by the counties, than they
will be under this new and most expen-
sive system. The Legislature was car
ried away by the fads OF some doctors.
and the new method will be a heavy
expense to the taxpayers.
The standing appropriations are so
great as to be a disgrace to the State and
an outrage on the taxpayers.
Over fourteen hundred thousand dol
lars has b, en- appropriated Hundreds
OF thousands of dollars have been appro-
prlated 10 institutions all over the State
and there is never any report made by
anybody TO anybody of who receives this
money or what use is made of it. or
who is responsible for it, and there never
has been any such report
But above all it ought to be shown
BY reports what is done by these institu-
tons with the peoples money
But the worst thing, probably that
was done by the Legislature was
an appropriation Of three hundred thou.
I, sand dollars TO build a public road
through Anne Arundel county.
This is an unmitigated outrage 1t
seems to US that it can only serve the
purpose Of making the county through
which it passes more sslable, especially
the lots around Lawrence and Linthcum
Heights.
If the State is to build out OF the
money of the taxpayers a public road
costing three hundred thousand dollars
. for Anne. Arundel county, then the
State ought to build road in Frederick
y county, costing a million of dollars,
a comparing the two counties, but they
have taken no step in road building in
Frederick county.
All IN all. the adjournment of the Leg
islature is received with a feeling Of
4 relief rom the consciousness that, at
least, It can do no further harm.