The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1915-10-02

paign, are not promises or pledges which can
be kept as long as the Democratic state mach
inc, again triumphant in the recent Democratic
primaries continues to exercise its traditional
influence and despotic power over the General
Assembly of the state.
We emphatically condemn the expenditures of
enormous sums for the expenses of the legisla-
lures of 1912 and 1914. Thousands of dollars
during said session, were wasted that might
have been saved to the people used for
public schools, public improvements, had
not the Democratic party in control of the
Senate and House, ignoring the public plea
for retrenchment and repudiating the plan of
common honesty in the expenditures of public
funds. knowingly created large number of
useless positions for employees in the Senate
and House and paid them unearned salaries
with the money of the taxpayers.
The people of Maryland will receive with
distrust the fusome and belated promises of
the Democratic platform, adopted at its
cent state convention, to pass such laws and
Constitutional amendments as may be recon-
inended by a commission of certain citizens for
the abolition of useless offices and the preven-
ton of waste and duplication. The people of
the state will recall that the late Governor
Crothers, during his administration, appointed
a commission for similar purpose whose re-
concentrations for economy and efficiency in
the administration of the states affairs were
under the domination of the same machine.
The Republican party pledges ITSELF in the
event of its success, to abolyish at the ear
liest possible moment, every unnecessary Of
fee; to rearrange and readjust and co-ordin-
ate the powers of the several departments,
bureaus, mocmissions and divisions of the
civil government. so as to couple power with
responsibility and to eliminate extravaganza
in all forms. We pledge that the Republican
candidate for governor will Immediately desig-
nate strong unpaid commission of the highest
business and professional character, to fully
investigate these questions and to incorporate
their findings and recommendations in bills to
be presented to the next General Assembly. and
we pledge ourselves to the passage of such
bills
The Republican party believes primarily in
the application of business methods to the
management of the States affairs in all of its
branches and holds that Maryanis pressing
need is the reorganization of its government
so to promote more efficient and &c
mical administration. in order that the state
tax rate shall be lowered and higher return
in service to the people be secured. This can
only be done by appropriate legislation which
Democratic legislatures have persstently
fused and neglected to adopt. In view of the
enormous extravaganza of recent Democratic
General Assemblies and of the further fact
that the appropriations in this state have far
cXceedd itSe income despite the burdensome
increase in state taxes, we pledge ourselves TO
the adoption of a scientific budget system, such
rs has been recently outlined by our guberna-
torial candidate in the public press, whereby
state appropriations shall be properly appor-
toned and kept within the limit of available
revenues
We favor and will provide for a prompt
adjustment OF the free system and for the
establishment of uniform system of ac-
counting in all state and county offices.
We believe that the payment by the state of
large lees to special counsel for legal services
Is wrong ana an unnecessary burden upon the
taxpayers of the state and that all of such
legal services should be rendered by a state
regal department under the direction of the
attorney general.
We congratulate the people of the state upon
the practical completion of the state roads
system, but in view of the high state tax rate
II is our Judgment that the construction of
state roads. for the present, should be limited
|" ming in the few gaps or links remaining
ihcompeted IN the main system ond the build
IN" OF Such bridges AS are required for safety
ana convenience and that any furthre extern
sion nl the system might be made through some
epuitaDIe pan under the Shoemaker or state
and law.
IL is heheVed that with wise and economical
management the receipts from the motor
Fehlcle TAX VIII largely suffice for the proper
maintenance OF thlS completed system and the
preservation oil tins splendid Investment Of
me state
Inc Importance OF the City of Baltimore as
'he metropolis OF Maryland and one of the
great american Seaports. requires that it
receive from the state government consiAera-
ti"h favorable to its development and we,
therefore, approve of the efforts of the city to
include within its limits It's harbor and such
OF ITS bSurubS as are essentially part thereof:
provided however, that such extension shall
not be made except with the consent of the
majority oil the qualified voters in the territory
intended To be annexed, as required by the
constitution OF the State. which provides
Nor shall the lines of any county be chang
ca without the consent of majority of the
legal voters residing within the district which
under said proposed change would 'orm a part
OF county different from that to which it be-
Ion"ed prior to said change,
we strongly favor such reorganization and
rehabilitation of the Maryland Agricultural
College MS Will secure its enforcement from
Pohllcal management and promote its develop
ment upon progressive and practical lines, so
as to aid the farmers in divorsifyng and in
creaSing the variety and value Of their crops.
We ais" favor measures and laws looking to
the elimination of the present boards and the
establishment of state board of agriculture
which would have supervision over all of the
various agricultural interests in the State