The citizen., 1914-01-09
THE MEETING OF THE STATE
LEGISLATURE AND 1T S
IMPORTANCE.

bled TINS week at Ahhdpuls. HIS ID
the first time in fourteen years that this
county will be Represented in the Legis-
lature by FIVE members of the House of
Delegates, all Of whom are Democrats,
with no Republican afilatians. In the
Senate this county will be represented
by Republican, who is hold-over
Senator.
The sessions of the Legislature are
always of Importance to the people of the
State, and it was never Of greater i'm
portance than at the present session.
We desire to emphasize the import
ance Of this, because it is Democrotic
body, and because this county is repre-
oented in the House of Delegates by five
Democrats, and we are anxious to see
them make splendid record for them
selves and for the people, aud especially
the taxpayers Of the county. and the
whole State. There is no reason why
they should not make a first class rec
ord, and make themselves eligible for
reelection to the next legislature. There
is one way, and only one sure way to do
this, and that is by strict attention to
their duties.
These men are sent there TO represent
the best interests of the State of Mary
land, and their absolute duty is to cast
no vote, unless they are absolutely GER
tain that the vote is cast in the interest
of, and for the welfare Of the people
not part of the peope-and not for
any party or for any interest.
If this important consideration is
kept in constant contemplation, they can
not make any mistake. If lost sight of,
constant mistakes will dog their footsteps
and failure will be the result that they
will inevitably reach.
No member of that body ought to
vote for any bill or resolution by whose
ever advocated unless he knows all
about it. Read everything that is in
troduced and study it, and thus become
familiar with everything and then there
will be no danger Of being cajoled Or de-
ceived into voting for corrupt and i'm
proper bills thus becoming the
mere tools of the hangers on, who lie
around the legislative halls for the pur-
pose of spoils, because the members do
not do their duty in learning and know
ing what is going on.
The Legislature holds the money of
the people, and especially that of the
taxpayers, and no money can be spent
unless it is authorized by the Legisla
ture.
The first aud the highest duty of
each member of the Legislature is to see
to it that the money Of the people is not
wasted by unreasonable and wild cat
appropriations.
The last Legislature voted away mil
lions of dollars which the people will
have to pay These appropriations,
many of them utterly useless, to the
general public, and more were 50 extrav-
agant as to be utterly y indefensble. There
is now being agitated lot of schemes
to be brought forward, the only result of
which will be to despoil the taxpayers
again as has been the case in The past.
These are schemes involving millions
OF dollars to the taxpayers. 1t must be
always kept in mind by each Demo-
cratic member that it is easy to vote
away the money Of the taxpayers, but it
is not so easy when the taxpayers have it
to pay. 1t is very easy to issue bonds,
but every bond has to be paid
The most important duty and obliga-
lion of every member of the Legisla-
sure, and especially every Democrat, is
70 guard with watchful eye the ipter-
,sts of the taxpayers.
1t is very easy if the members p.form
themselves, and if they do not know,
onfer with their friends at home who
% know, and in whom they can put
onfdence.
IF this rule is followed, and it is the
i r. IL Al. oo.;alot,,o LII l..