Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1915-10-01
The Maryland Democratic Plat.
form OF 1915,


Tree government promulgated by Thomas
Jefferson and firmly upheld by long line
OF Democratic Statesmen, from Madison to
Woodrow Wilson.
We renew our faith in the present Demo-
cratic national administration, which by
its provident legislation during the last
Congress vouchsafed to the American peo-
pie political and industrial liberty
We most enthusiastically indorse the able
executive administration Of our national
affairs by President Wilson. The prompt
and effective way in which the grave
financial situation confronting the country
at the outset Of the great European war
was met, stabilized our finances in that
crises, and the successful operation of the
Democratic Federal reserve system has
since that time largely contributed to make
us the financial centre of the world.
CONFIDENCE In WILSON.
We give profound thanks for that con-
duct and guidance of our International
affairs which have preserved in peace and
happiness our people during the present
critical period of world strife An impetu-
GUS or undiplomatic President might easily
now have us in war with all its horrors.
The rare courage. keen discernment and
unceasing patience of President Wilson
have, however, kept US safely and honor
ably in the path of peace. He has our
full measure of support and confidence in
meeting the grave problems which still
confront him for solution. We look to him
and trust him to continue to keep us at
peace, with our honor as a nation I'M
sullied.
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.
We pledge our party to the most rigid
economy in the administration of all the
affairs Of the State. so that the saving in
the expenditure of the public money may
be as great as is consistent with good
government: and. as a part of the econ
omy plans in this platform provided. we
pledge that character Of business admin
istration which will insure the highest
degree of economy. In the transaction of
public business we believe that the same
degree of ability. attention and forethought
should be exercised as is given the most
successful mercantile. banking. public ser
vice or other enterprises whose success de-
ponds upon high order of business eff
cheney. The government Of the State should
be regarded as the most important of bust
ness concerns. as it compFehends the in
terests and welfare of the whole people
who have the right to expect and demand
the highest order Of service in the con-
duct of the States business.
DEMOCRATIC DEEDS.
The Democratic party points with just
pride to the enactment of advanced and
progressive legislation that places Mary
land in the very forefront of the States
Of the Union;
The Good roads measures.
The Public Service Commission.
The act providing for peoples counsel
before the Public Service Commission.
The State Tax Commission for the equal
ization of taxes.
The Motor Vehicle law.
The Statewide Direct Primary law.
The Corrupt Practices act.
The Workmen's Compensation law.
The Full Crew law.
The Eight Hour law.
The Child Labor law
And many other benefcent measures.
showing the advanced position of our State
and party upon the public questions of
the day.
USELESS OFFICES AND COMMISSIONS.
U Changed conditions since 1857, when
our present constitution was adopted, as
well as the subsequent creation of Offices
and commissions by successive Legisla-
lures, without any comprehensive survey
of the administration of the States bust
ness as a whole, have resulted in the ex-
istence Of Offices or commissions which
have become useless. or the duties of
which overlap and should be consolidated.
In order to remedy this condition. we pledge
our party to the prompt and faithful pas
sage Of such laws. and to the proposal OF
such order to abolish each and every Office
or commission which has become no longer
reasonably necessary to the public good.
or the duties Of which should be trans
ferred to some other office or commission ::
and generally to the passage of such laws
and the proposal Of such constitutional
amendments as may be necessary to pre-
vent waste and duplication. and to pro-
mote the greatest possible economy and
efficiency in the administration Of the
States affairs.
We pledge our party to the passage Of
such legislation as will result in the crea-
ton Of a thoroughly efficient State Law
Department under the Attorney General.
and to the adjustment Of all special coun-
sci to all State officers. boards. commits
siOns or institutions. and TO the prohibit
ton Of the same in the future, except where
thorough investigation may demonstrate
that this cannot be done without impair
ing the efficiency Of the States legal ser
vices. to the end that the whole spirit and
purpose OF the CONSTITUTIONAL amendment
ratified in 1918. and authorizing the above.
may be realized and fulfilled.
The COMMISSION.
To the end that these pledges may be
faithfully. intellieently and promptly full
filled. and that there may be no abatement
in the progressive policies Of the Demo
cratic party, we hereby appoint
DIR. F. J. GOodnow.
Hon. James Alfred Pearce.
Joseph d. Baker.
Philip d. Laird.
William Mines Maloy.
B. Howell Griswold. Jr..
F. Neale Parke.
to serve as a commission which shall be
charged with the duty Of making com
| nlete survey or study of the entire subject