The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-09-30
R RE- IUJDDILIICCAN PLATFORM 1915
PASSED BY CONVENTION FRIDAY

sci FOR legal services is wrong and a
unnecessary burden upon the taxpayers
of the State, and that all of such legal
services should be rendered under the
direction of the Acknowledgement.
Il, We congratulate the people of
the State upon the practical completion
of the State roads system; but in view
of the State tax rate it is our Judgment
that the construction of State roads,
for the present, should be limited to
filling in the few gaps or links remain
ing uncompleted in the main system
and the building OF such bridges as are
required for safety and convenience,
and that any further extension of the
system might be made through some
equitable plan under the Shoemaker or
State aid law.
1t is believed that the wise and
economical management the receipts
from motor vehicle tax will largely
suffice for the proper maintenance of
this completed system and the preser-
walton of this splendid investment of
the State.
II The Importance of the city of
Baltimore as the metropolis of Mary
land and one of the great American
seaports requires that it receive from
the State government consideration ia
vorable to its development, and we,
therefore approve, of the efforts to the
city to include within its limits its har-
bors and such of its suburbs as are es-
sentially a part thereof; provided, how
ever, that such extension shall not be
made except with the consent of the
majority of 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
changed without the consent of a
majority of the legal voters residing
within the district, which under said
proposed change would form a part of
a county different from that to which
it belonged prior to said change"
10. We strongly favor such a reor-
ganization and rehabilitation of the
Maryland Agricultural College as will
secure its enforcement from political
management and promote its develop
ment upon progressive and practical
lines so as to aid the farmers in diver
styling and increasing the variety and
value of their crops. We also favor
measures and laws looking to the elm
nation of the present boards and the
establishment of a State Board of Ag-
rculture which would have supervision
over all of the various agricultural in
terests in the State.
IA. We favor and support the home
rule and referendum amendments to
the Constitution as passed by. the last
Legislature and the necessary legis-
lation to make the same effective in
the event of their successful passage
at the polls.
Is. The Republican party. in accord
ance with its consistent efforts for
fair and honest elections, pledge itself
to the principle of the short ballot
We submit that the provisions of the
Primary Election Law whereby the
envelope system is permitted, along
with that of allowing ballots to be
marked outside of the election booth,
result in bribery and wholesale cor
ruption, and we pledge ourselves to the
elimination of such provisions from the
primary election laws, and demand
that the election law is made uniform
throughout the entire State.
16. The Republicans of MARYLAND, as
one with the national party, stand com
mitted to the principle of the conser-
walton of natural resources.
The oyster beds and waters of the
State present this problem in direct and
concrete form and we pledge our party
to conserve and continue to protect for
public use the natural oyster beds and
bars of the State upon which the oyster
men have always enjoyed the right to
earn their livelihood without fear or
molestation. And we further pledge
our party to the passage of such laws
as will afford the greatest means of
protection to the crab industry of the
State.
II. We believe in strongly maintain
ing the sovereignty of the State and
pledge our candidate, if elected Cover
nor, to uphold for each citizen, with
out regard to nationality, religion,
race or station, the equal protection of
the courts and the majesty Of the law.
We severely condemn mob law and
lynching and commend the Governor of
this State for the strong positions
which he has taken upon this subject.
IS. We favor the extension of pub
lie school education. including the
lengthening of the school term wher-
ever needed, without discrimination, to
all our youth.