Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-10-01

lSlature may reduce or eliminate the items
for appropriations or expenditures Except
when this would affect the States out
standing obligations. but shall not in
crease the same. and no appropriations
shall be expended for any purpose other
than the purpose specified in the budget.
Proper provision shall be made for emer-
gencies or contingencies
Until the budget system can be made
effective, we pledge the Democratic men,
bers of the Legislature to keep the expenses
OF the State within the income of the State,
and the Governor to exercise his veto
power for the same purpose.
In connection with the budget system,
we favor the adoption of uniform fiscal
year for all State officers and departments
and for all institutions receiving State aid.
We recommend that all continuing appro-
priations be repealed and that hereafter
all appropriations shall be included in two
general appropriation bills, one for each of
the two fiscal years intervening between
the adjournment of one Legislature and
the converting of the next.
The commission created by the first
plank of this platform shall be charged
with the duty of devising and recommend
ing detailed plan for the budget system.
LEGISLATIVE EXPENSES.
(3) We pledge our party to reduce the
expenses Of the Legislature to such amount
as will conform to the actual necessities
of the Legislature. and to exercise in this
connection the strictest economy which is
consistent with the proper conduct of the
States affairs. We pledge a material re-
duction in the number of legislative en-
ployes, the elimination of extra pay ex-
cept for additional services rendered, and
that the payment of every employee shall
begin only from the date of his employ
ment.
FEE system.
az We thoroughly recognize the evils
of the fee system. At the same time we
cannot escape the fact that in some few
instances economy and efficiency are best
promoted by the payment of certain off,
GERS through fees-such. for example, as
notaries public-because to place such
officers upon a salary basis would result in
a serious financial loss to the State We
pledge our party to the adjustment of the
fee system in every case in which this can
be done without prejudice to efficiency and
economy in the States service.
UNIFORM system Or ACCOUNTING.
(5) We pledge the passage of such leg
islation as may be necessary to introduce
uniform system Of accounting in all
State Offices. departments and institutions.
All institutions receiving State aid shall
conform to the system Of uniform account
ing prescribed and shall not received pay
ment under any appropriation until it
adopts said system.
ENVELOPE system AND REGISTRATION.
(6) We pledge the introduction of the
Australian ballot system. as the same now
exists in Baltimore city, to primary cleo
tons in all the counties Of the State, and
that what is known as the envelope" sys-
TEN of voting in primaries in the counties
shall be abolished, to the end that the
same secrecy and independence may exist
in voting throughout the State at primary
elections as at the general elections
We further pledge our party to the pas
sage Of an act to provide for a registration
day for voters at some time prior to the
primary election. so that in the counties
of the State and in the city of Baltimore
all persons entitled to vote at the general
election may become registered and par
ticipate in the primary election.
CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT.
% We pledge the adoption of such
amendments to the Corrupt Practices act
as will radically reduce the campaign ex-
penditures which may be made either by
or on behalf of candidates, and place fur
ther limitations upon the purposes Of such
expenditures. to the end that the aspira-
ton of every man. rich or poor. to public
Office may be equally possible Of gratfica-
ton.
HOME RULE.
(8) We call attention to the plank
adopted by the Democratic Convention of
1918 declaring that Baltimore city and the
several counties should enjoy the largest
measure Of self-government. The passage
of the Home Rule Amendment to the Con-
stitution by the Legislature of 1914 was in
redemption of this pledge. and we earnestly
urge oil voters to vote for that amend
ment at the election next November. In
the event Of its success at the polls. then
we pledge our party to the passage Of such
legislation as may make the amendment
effective and secure the elimination, as far
as possible. of local legislation at Annapolis
and greater uniformity Of administration
under general laws.
We also recommend the favorable action
OF the voters of the State on the three Consti-
tutiona Amendments instituting the refer
endum. providing for the classification Of
property for the purpose of taxation. and
permitting the indeterminate sentence
as passed by the Legislature of 1914
Coop ROADS.
90 Under the wise and benefcent ad.
ministration of Austin L. Crothers our sys-
TEN Of good roads was thoughtfully planned
inaueurated and partially constructed. In
continuation of the work so begun our
Democratic Legislatures of 1912 and 1914
through adequate appropriations, made il
possible to prosecute and extend the work
begun by the Crothers administration. SC
that now we have approaching completion
a system Of good roads which is credit
TO the State Of Maryland and which we
pledge our party TO maintain in a high
state Of efficiency.
We pledge our party TO complete oul
good roads system and extend and i'm,
prove the same to the full extent that the
condition of the 6nancaa of onr State will