The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1914-01-23
WESTMINSTER, md.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON, JAN. %, 1914
LEGISLATIVE EXTRAyAGANCE.

The Advocate is loyal at ali times
to the best interests OF the Democratic
party. 1t has never taken any other
position than that the best interests
of the State of Maryland and of the
- United States could be served through
the agency of that party.
We are now living in day Of what
might be called national extravaganza,
"a money madness,-which we Dem
ocrats have been charging to the Re
publicans in national affairs for these
many years. Since March 4, 1913,
President Wilson has given great en-
couragement to the whole country by
his determined stand in behalf of
efficiency in public service and econo-
my in public expenditures.
The leaven does not seem to have
1eavened the loaf, however, fol the
example being given to the State Of
Maryland by the members OF the
House of Delegates now in session
e. proof positive that the pres
ent Delegates have little desire
to practice economy. Because The
Advocate is an out-and-out Demo-
cratic paper at all times, We take the
liberty now to sound this note Of
warning to the members Of the pres
emit House. The people will no long
er tolerate such reckless extravaganza
al il about to be practiced at this ses
sion.
The expenses incurred by the
House in 1908 were about S115, 100000,
i'm 1910 about $117,000.00 and 1912
about 1921 100000 and this year it is
reported that the expenses will reach
about $125,OOO.0O. On the other hand
the Senate's expenses for this year
will probably be about those Of the
expenses of 1912, which showed a
saving Of about $2O,OOO.OO over the
previous session. 1t is to be regret
ted, 50 far as we have been advised,
that when the report was made to the
House showing that every Delegate
should have a grab from the pork
barrel that not single Delegate,
Democrat or Republican, voted against
the adoption of the report.
Such legislation proves conclusive
ly that the Legislature Of Maryland
ought to be called i'm session but once
in every four years and that the num-
Der of Delegates should be consider
ably decreased, certainly decreased
one-half, and that their pay should be
increased. Every man got his man"
is a comment frequently heard about
the State Capitol in reference to
members of the present House of
Delegates on the Democratic side.
The story Of this extravaganza has
been told and re-told in the daily
papers and we do not intend to 60 in
to the details here, we simply express
our condemnation Of such fragrant dis
regard of public opinion and such
abuse of public trust. The excuse
that we have heard offered is that the
whole plan was mapped out by the
committee on OrganlZaLlon, DuI IL
cannot be said that Delegates who had
the best interests Of the State at heart
had any right to vote for 50 extrava-
CANT a report.
There is time yet to right the wrong
that has been done and 1t will give
The Advocate pleasure to note that
the votes of at least the three Demo-
cratic delegates from Carroll County
are cast in the future On the side Of
reasonable economy in public expendi-
lures. If The Advocate overlooks
such votes on the part Of the Carroll
County delegates, we ask the dele
gates themselves to call our attention
to the fact and we will make mention
of same.